“luther” is the third track on Kendrick Lamar’s surprise album ‘GNX.’ It features Dot’s frequent collaborator and friend SZA with some hauntingly beautiful vocals. In the song, Dot is heard confessing his love for his partner.
Kendrick Lamar released his sixth studio album ‘GNX’ out of nowhere on November 22, 2024. The album trailer was released on the rapper’s Instagram just thirty minutes prior to the album release. The album contains features from SZA, Roddy Ricch, PeySoh, and AzChike.
This song marks Kendrick and SZA’s fifth collaboration together. On ‘GNX’ album SZA is featured again in the 12th and final song “gloria.”
Listen to “luther” by Kendrick Lamar Ft. SZA
Kendrick Lamar “luther” Lyrics Meaning and Song Review
In the first verse of the song, Kendrick Lamar goes all out confessing his love for his partner. If he had the power to do so, he would stop at nothing to give her everything she dreams of. Nothing is off limits to keep her happy.
If this world was mine, I’d take your enemies in front of God
If he possessed the power, he would take her enemies to face the judgment of God. The ones who broke her heart, the ones who are jealous of her, and the ones who wish evil on her will face the wrath or the cleansing light of God.
Kendrick might also be taking shots at Drake when he says “She a fan, he a flop, they just wanna kumbaya, nah.” She refers to SZA who is a fan of Kendrick as evidenced by many collaborations they have had so far. He refers to Drake and Kendrick calls him a flop — which might seem a bit farfetched.
‘Kumbaya’ originated from an African-American spiritual song of the same name. Through the ages, the term has passed on to mean ‘a dance of ill-will.’ Kendrick is saying he is having none of these charades with his enemies.
In the hook of the song, SZA lays some tough love about some women who go through immense troubles just to survive. She compares these people to flowers made from concrete – toughened by society yet beautiful like a flower. Heartache has been the only thing she has known all her life. Now she doesn’t even feel it. She devotes her weekend to making money on the down-low – getting down on someone’s lap or climbing on a pole. Her mind doesn’t even comprehend her actions now. She breezes through the purple haze because she has to.
She still has hope – the only thing that keeps her going through hell. Better days are coming for sure.
In the third verse of the song, K Dot says that he might be willing to settle down with her. Her beauty has him hooked and her strength has him falling in love.
Let us hear what you think about this song in the comments below. Read the complete lyrics of the song on Genius.