Kendrick Lamar and SZA’s “luther,” one of eight songs nominated for Record of the Year at the upcoming 2026 Grammys, was supposed to be just an interlude.
This revelation is among multiple featured in a GNX-focused Rolling Stone feature from Preezy Brown, published December 15.
Sounwave, a producer on the Luther Vandross-sampling Hot 100 hit, recounted a drumless version of the song that was intriguingly different from what is now seen as a standout from both Kendrick and SZA.
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Instrumental to “Luther” transitioning from interlude to full-fledged hit was Ink, a co-writer on the song and an artist in her own right.
“It was literally me chopping the sample and Dot just humming melodies,” said Sounwave to RS about the original version of the song. “We had the sample in the tuck forever, we just never could crack it. But once he hit this one specific melody, I knew that this had to be bigger.”
Then, it went on to surprise the makers of the song themselves, becoming bigger than many presumed.
The track peaked at No. 1 on the Hot 100, staying up top a total of 13 weeks to the surprise of many.
Luther is not only vying for Record of the Year at next year’s Grammys, as it features production from Jack Antonoff, but is up for Song of the Year and Best Melodic Rap Performance.
GNX was previously ranked as the best album of 2024 by Complex, and is eyeing further wins in the Best Rap Album and Album of the Year categories at the upcoming Grammys ceremony, which takes place in February 2026.
Both Kendrick and SZA have several past Recording Academy wins to their name, with Kendrick a 22-time winner and SZA a five-time winner, respectively.
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Kendrick Lamar concluded his Grand National Tour in Sydney on December 11, where he went on to wow many fans, also headlining the Spilt Milk festival in Canberra, serenading a nine-year-old fan.
SZA has, however, been in the news after slamming the White House for “rage baiting”, following the use of her music in an immigration video.
In terms of her music and exploits this festive season, she is scheduled to perform at the 12th Annual TDE Holiday Charity Concert on December 18.
