Kendrick Lamar and SZA’s LUTHER Reigns Supreme with 11th Week at #1 on Billboard Hot 100

Jephthah Nana Adjei Osei - Mensah
By
Kendrick Lamar and SZA’s LUTHER Reigns Supreme with 11th Week at #1 on Billboard Hot 100
Kendrick Lamar & SZA
Written By : Ekow Adjei Mensah


Kendrick Lamar and SZA’s soulful collaboration LUTHER has cemented its place in music history, securing an 11th consecutive week at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 as of May 5, 2025, making it the longest-running chart-topper of the year. The track, a tribute to R&B legend Luther Vandross through its sample of his and Cheryl Lynn’s cover of IF THIS WORLD WERE MINE, blends Kendrick’s incisive lyricism with SZA’s emotive vocals, resonating with a broad audience. 

Released on Lamar’s GNX album via pgLang/Interscope, LUTHER has amassed 68.4 million radio airplay impressions, 21.9 million streams, and 2,000 sales in the U.S. for the April 18-24 tracking week, per Billboard. Its historic run marks it as the first song by a solo male and female duo without additional acts to lead for double-digit weeks, surpassing Diana Ross and Lionel Richie’s nine-week ENDLESS LOVE in 1981.

The song’s dominance extends beyond the Hot 100, holding #1 for 18 weeks on both the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs and Hot Rap Songs charts, a proof of its genre-blending appeal. LUTHER has also topped Radio Songs for four weeks and Streaming Songs for seven, with its April 11 video release, directed by Karena Evans, boosting streams by 10% that week to 25 million. 

This milestone ties Roddy Ricch’s THE BOX (2020) for the longest #1 rap hit this decade, with posts on X suggesting it could soon claim the record if it maintains its 89% chance of a 12th week at #1. The track’s success, fueled by its Super Bowl LIX performance and the duo’s Grand National Tour launch on April 19, underscores Kendrick and SZA’s cultural and commercial prowess, with SZA calling Lamar’s elusive genius a key to their magic on The Sherri Show.

LUTHER’s prolonged chart reign reflects a stagnant yet competitive Hot 100, where older hits like Shaboozey’s A BAR SONG (Tipsy) and Teddy Swims’ LOSE CONTROL persist, as noted on Reddit’s popheads. Despite this, the song’s cross-format appeal, topping Adult R&B Airplay, Rap Airplay, and more, sets it apart, making history as the first to lead both Adult R&B and Rap Airplay charts.

For Kendrick, it’s his sixth Hot 100 #1, and for SZA, her third, each extending their longest chart reigns. As the duo prepares for their European tour leg, “LUTHER continues to captivate, blending nostalgia, innovation, and raw emotion. Its enduring success signals not only a personal triumph for Kendrick and SZA but also a defining moment for R&B and rap’s mainstream convergence.

Comments

MORE FROM
music

More From 3Music News

FIFA HEROES Success Shows Global Opportunities Exist For Ghanaian Musicians - DJ Shagy
entertainment | BY Joshua Narh | June 26th, 2026

FIFA HEROES Success Shows Global Opportunities Exist For Ghanaian Musicians - DJ Shagy

DJ Shagy explained that after the song met the technical requirements, it advanced through multiple stages before eventually receiving FIFA’s approval for inclusion in the game.

DJ Shagy, KVPEL Aim To Put Ghana’s Afro-Electronic Sound On The Global Stage
entertainment | BY Joshua Narh | June 26th, 2026

DJ Shagy, KVPEL Aim To Put Ghana’s Afro-Electronic Sound On The Global Stage

The two musicians, who blend Afrobeats with electronic dance music, believe the genre remains largely unexplored in Ghana despite its international appeal.

Selasie Vondee Cautions Against Sharing Sensitive Data With AI
culture | BY Joshua Narh | June 25th, 2026

Selasie Vondee Cautions Against Sharing Sensitive Data With AI

He warned that publicly available information can easily be collected and analysed to create detailed profiles of individuals.

AI Companions Could Deepen Social Isolation - Tech Expert Warns
culture | BY Joshua Narh | June 25th, 2026

AI Companions Could Deepen Social Isolation - Tech Expert Warns

“People also feel nobody wants to listen to me. So if there’s an AI, you can just ask,” he said.

Gov’t To Introduce New Bill To Protect State Assets – Prez Mahama
culture | BY Angela Kuffour | June 25th, 2026

Gov’t To Introduce New Bill To Protect State Assets – Prez Mahama

According to Mahama, the new bill is aimed at safeguarding public property and improving accountability in handling of assets owned by the state.

DJ Shagy Joins Central Cee, J Balvin And Odeal On FIFA HEROES Soundtrack
entertainment | BY Joshua Narh | June 25th, 2026

DJ Shagy Joins Central Cee, J Balvin And Odeal On FIFA HEROES Soundtrack

FIFA Heroes, the newest title in the FIFA gaming franchise, launched on June 25 and is designed as a fast-paced, arcade-style football experience for a global audience.

Gov't Declares Friday, July 3 A Public Holiday
culture | BY Angela Kuffour | June 25th, 2026

Gov't Declares Friday, July 3 A Public Holiday

Friday, July 3, 2026, has been declared as the official national holiday to be commemorated nationwide by President John Dramani Mahama through an Executive Order.

Authorities Race To Contain Risk As France Confirms First Ebola Case
culture | BY Joshua Narh | June 24th, 2026

Authorities Race To Contain Risk As France Confirms First Ebola Case

French health authorities said on Wednesday that the patient, who had been working on a humanitarian mission in eastern Congo, was immediately isolated upon arrival in France and transferred to a specialised medical facility. Officials said the doctor is in stable condition and receiving expert care.

Trump To Present World Cup Trophy At Tournament Final
sports | culture | BY Angela Kuffour | June 24th, 2026

Trump To Present World Cup Trophy At Tournament Final

When asked if they would present the trophy together, Infantino said, "Of course, we are together all the time."

Merchandise Goldmine: Who Is Cashing Out On The Ghana Black Stars Brand?
sports | culture | BY Joshua Narh | June 24th, 2026

Merchandise Goldmine: Who Is Cashing Out On The Ghana Black Stars Brand?

For many traders, the tournament has become an important source of income in an economy where many informal businesses are struggling. Every Black Stars victory means another round of customers. Every extra match means another opportunity to sell.

Burna Boy Becomes African Artiste With Most Billboard Hot 100 Entries
music | entertainment | BY Angela Kuffour | June 24th, 2026

Burna Boy Becomes African Artiste With Most Billboard Hot 100 Entries

Dai Dai debuting at number 75, now brings Burna Boys' entries to a total of nine - the most by an African artiste.

GES To Announce Shortlisted Recruitment Candidates On July 20
culture | BY Angela Kuffour | June 24th, 2026

GES To Announce Shortlisted Recruitment Candidates On July 20

The Service noted that it is assessing all received applications to ensure the applicants meet the outlined eligibility requirements in the recruitment advertisement and a review of the applications should be completed by June 30, 2026.

More Similar Videos

Showboy Shares His Journey From Prison To Becoming Ghana's Biggest Trapper
music,entertainment | Lerny Lomotey | October 27th, 2025

Showboy Shares His Journey From Prison To Becoming Ghana's Biggest Trapper