Who Kendrick Lamar's "Luther" Is About (& Why It Never Mentions Him)

"Luther" has turned out to be one of the breakout hits of Kendrick Lamar'sGNX album. Despite the album being hyped largely on the back of Kendrick's beef with Drake, one of its most popular songs is a loving ballad featuring SZA. On top of being ranked among the album's best songs, "Luther" peaked at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 charts.

Everyone loves "Luther" by Kendrick Lamar featuring SZA, but those not familiar with its title name's history in music may wonder why the name is never mentioned in the song's lyrics. Upon seeing the name "Luther," those attuned to music history will immediately think of Luther Vandross, an R&B soul singer whose eight-time Grammy-winning career spanned 35 years before passing away in 2005.

Although he sports a prolific legacy in music, the song "Luther" isn't actually about Luther Vandross. Instead, the song carries his spirit, as modern music continues to embody the tone and themes of Luther's music through sampling.

Who "Luther" Is In Kendrick Lamar's Song

"Luther" Samples a Classic Luther Vandross record feat. Cheryl Lynn, "If This World Were Mine"

Kendrick Lamar's "Luther" - which he performed at Super Bowl LIX - samples "If This World Were Mine" as performed by Luther Vandross and Cheryl Lynn. "If This World Were Mine" was originally released on September 4th, 1982, serving as the second single from Cheryl Lynn's fourth album, Instant Love. The song peaked at #4 on the R&B charts in its era, and #30 on the Billboard Hot 100, making it the biggest hit on Lynn's album. This record itself is a cover of "If This World Were Mine" originally sung by Marvin Gaye (who wrote the song) and Tammi Terrell.

Cheryl Lynn's Instant Love album was produced entirely by Luther Vandross. He also contributed writing credits for the song's title track.

The original song from the soul duo of Gaye and Terrell was produced as a B-side single to the A-side's "If I Could Build My Whole World Around You," both released on November 14, 1967. This version, which was more reflective of the pop genre of its era than R&B, appeared on their collab album, United, and peaked at #27 on Billboard's R&B chart, as well as #68 on the chart's Hot 100. Gaye and Terrell's record was a hit in itself, but an argument can be made that Luther and Lynne have eclipsed its success.

Why "Luther" Isn't Really About Luther Vandross

The Song is About a Man Willing to Do Any and Everything for His Woman

The success of Lynne and Vandross' version has persisted following its resurgence after Kendrick Lamar's album release and, of course, his beloved single, "Luther." The song's instrumental and the crooning of Luther's voice for the lyrics, "If this world were mine..." across the hook dominate Kendrick Lamar's hit record. Rather than center around Luther or even Lynne, Kendrick's lyrics center around two people expressing unquestionable love for each other. The song tells a story from a male perspective and a woman's perspective of their undeniable love.

Kendrick Lamar's homage doesn't need to mention Luther by name when the lyrics echo his spirit by modernizing Vandross' approach to writing love songs.

Kendrick's lyrics express a willingness to do anything for the woman he loves, be it something as wholesome as taking her "dreams and make 'em multiply" or as violent as "take your enemies in front of God, introduce 'em to that light, hit 'em strictly with that fye." Meanwhile, SZA pontificates on a trusting woman who remains encouraging and nourishing to her man with love, seduction, and stress relief. Anyone familiar with Luther's music knows this is the kind of love he talks about in his songs. Kendrick Lamar's homage doesn't need to mention Luther by name when the lyrics echo his spirit by modernizing Vandross' approach to writing love songs.