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Kendrick Lamar and SZA’s “Luther” has now led the Billboard Hot 100 for nine straight weeks, marking a rare achievement for a rap‑led single. Released on November 29, 2024, as the third single from Lamar’s album GNX, it samples Luther Vandross and Cheryl Lynn’s 1982 rendition of “If This World Were Mine.”
After debuting at number three on December 7, 2024, the track climbed steadily to claim the top spot by the March 1, 2025, chart. Its blend of orchestral arrangements, 808 drums, and vocal harmonies has struck a chord with listeners worldwide.
On social media, one fan summed up the divide succinctly:
“Drake can never relate.”
So, we’ve grouped fan reactions into two themes — emotional nostalgia and competitive excitement — before examining how “Luther” stacks up against past rap records.
Fans share emotional and nostalgic takes on “Luther”
“I so wish Luther was still alive to feel this,”
One listener wrote as the song reached its ninth week at No. 1.
Another commented, “It took a minute for this song to grow on me but it's really beautiful.
A third fan declared, “this is one of the best songs in the album, it makes me feel like I'm floating in a cloud” praising its heartfelt tone.
On Instagram, a popular music‑quote account called it
“an early song of the year contender ❤️”.
These reactions underline how the track’s nod to classic R&B has resonated with audiences.
Other listeners focus on record chasing and spirited celebration
“Let’s freaking goooo,”
Cheered one user upon seeing the latest chart update. On a thread about the video drop, a fan noted,
“Still throwing shots at each other through music videos lmao,”
Pointing to its playful rivalry undertones. A hip‑hop page was reposted on Facebook in reaction to its streaming numbers:
“Kendrick always shows Drake how the game works ‼️”
Another commenter observed,
“I was curious who had the record, bruh Old Time Road was number 1 for 19 WEEKS. That's going to be impossible. That might not be beat for a very long time."
“Luther” now ranks among rap’s longest‑leading hits on the Hot 100
With nine weeks at No. 1, “Luther” has not seen a rap song enjoy a longer run since Lil Nas X’s “Old Town Road” spent 19 weeks atop the chart. The track has also reached number one in New Zealand, the Philippines, and Singapore, and climbed into the top five in Australia, Canada, and the UK.
Its sustained performance underscores both the strength of the Lamar–SZA pairing and the enduring appeal of 1980s R&B samples infused into modern production. As streaming and radio audiences continue to engage, “Luther” is poised to leave a lasting mark on rap and R&B chart history.
As “Luther” moves beyond its ninth week at No. 1, its blend of classic homage and contemporary flair has drawn both heartfelt and competitive fan responses. The single’s chart run now sits just behind one of the decade’s biggest rap records, illustrating the power of strategic collaboration and thoughtful sampling.
Whether viewed as an homage to Luther Vandross or a high‑stakes statement in the Lamar-Drake rivalry, “Luther” has firmly etched itself into the narrative of 2025’s music scene; its final tally on the Hot 100 will be closely watched in the weeks ahead.
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