Kendrick Lamar and SZA’s hit single “Luther” has climbed to the top of the Billboard Hot 100, marking Lamar’s sixth No. 1 and SZA’s third. The track, a tribute to Luther Vandross, dethrones Lamar’s previous chart-topper, “Not Like Us,” which surged back to No. 1 following his Super Bowl LIX halftime performance.
“Luther” saw a 6% increase in both radio airplay and streams, totaling 46.7 million audience impressions and 45.2 million official streams. The track also rose to No. 1 on the Streaming Songs chart and made gains in digital sales and radio airplay. Lamar’s recent string of Hot 100 chart-toppers has been remarkable, with four No. 1s in just 11 months.
Drake also made waves on the Hot 100, debuting two new tracks in the top 10—“Gimme a Hug” at No. 6 and “Nokia” at No. 10—from his collaborative album with PartyNextDoor, $ome $exy $ongs 4 U. The album also secured the No. 1 spot on the Billboard 200.
“Luther” samples Vandross and Cheryl Lynn’s rendition of “If This World Were Mine,” originally recorded by Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell. Vandross, a legendary R&B figure, never topped the Hot 100 as a lead artist but contributed to multiple No. 1 hits over his career. His influence continues with “Luther,” extending his legacy nearly two decades after his passing.
With “Luther” replacing “Not Like Us” at No. 1, Lamar becomes the first solo male artist since Drake in 2018 to top the chart in consecutive weeks with different songs.