I haven’t done an installment of ‘What the Kids are Listening To’ since last August (not counting the year-end roundup) so I figured it was high time. Over the next two weeks, I’ll offer up the songs currently topping Billboard’s Hot 100.
At #1 this week is ‘luther,’ a collaboration between Kendrick Lamar and SZA, the third single from Lamar’s latest studio album, GNX. This song has been atop the Hot 100 for ten straight weeks, making it the longest running chart-topper for both artists.
Given that level of continued success, I expected this song to be a lot catchier. It’s certainly no ‘Not Like Us.’
It’s a slow-jam R&B ballad that utilizes a sample of Luther Vandross’ ‘If This World Were Mine’ and reminds us that Vandross was a better vocalist than either of these two artists.
If this world were mine
[Verse 1: Kendrick Lamar]
Hey, Roman numeral seven, bae, drop it like it’s hot
If this world was mine, I’d take your dreams and make ’em multiply
If this world was mine, I’d take your enemies in front of God
Introduce ’em to that light, hit them strictly with that fire
Fah-fah, fah-fah-fah, fah-fah, fah
Hey, Roman numeral seven, bae, drop it like it’s hot
If this world was mine, I’d take your dreams and make ’em multiply
If this world was mine, I’d take your enemies in front of God
Introduce ’em to that light, hit them strictly with that fire
It’s a vibe, do your dance, let ’em watch
She a fan, he a flop, they just wanna kumbaya, nah
[Chorus: SZA & Kendrick Lamar]
In this world, concrete flowers grow
Heartache, she only doin’ what she know
Weekends, get it poppin’ on the low
Better days comin’ for sure
If this world were—
If it was up to me
I wouldn’t give these nobodies no sympathy
I’d take away the pain, I’d give you everything
I just wanna see you win, wanna see
If this world were mine
[Verse 2: Kendrick Lamar & SZA]
It go in (When you), out (Ride it), do it real slow (Slide)
Baby, you a star, strike, pose
When I’m (When you), with you (With me), everything goes (Slow)
Come and (Put that), put that (On my), on my (Titi), soul (Soul)
‘Rari (Red), crown (Stack), wrist (Stay), froze (Really)
Drip (Tell me), pound (If you), on the way home (Love me)
[Chorus: Kendrick Lamar & SZA]
In this world, concrete flowers grow
Heartache, she only doin’ what she know
Weekends, get it poppin’ on the low
Better days comin’ for sure
If this world were—
If it was up to me
I wouldn’t give these nobodies no sympathy
I’d take away the pain, I’d give you everything
I just wanna see you win, wanna see
If this world were mine
[Verse 3: Kendrick Lamar & SZA]
I can’t lie
I trust you, I love you, I won’t waste your time
I turn it off just so I can turn you on
I’ma make you say it loud
I’m not even trippin’, I won’t stress you out
I might even settle down for you, I’ma show you I’m a pro
I’ma take my time and turn it off
Just so I can turn you on, baby
Weekends, get it poppin’ on the low
Better days comin’ for sure
[Outro: SZA]
I know you’re comin’ for
Better days
If this world were mine
Meet Me In Montauk 
I continue to be underwhelmed by Kendrick Lamar.
Wow! Throwing shade on this Monday morning! I was very decidedly on team Drake throughout the entirety of the Lamar/Drake feud so when GNX came out I was predisposed not to like it. However, I couldn’t help but be taken by this song! “Not Like Us” I found got old very quickly and I was not nearly as drawn by the hook as many clearly were. I find that “luther” I can listen to on repeat without it growing tiresome.
Admittedly, I haven’t given it too much attention since its release, but I begrudgingly had it heavily in my listening cycle when the album first dropped! I think it’s somewhat unfair to compare Luther Vandross to Kendrick Lamar as a vocalist as the latter is clearly a rapper who sings a melody occasionally. SZA certainly puts some production behind her vocals but for my money is just as pleasing to listen to as any Vandross crooning!
I’m a bit surprised that you didn’t find anything too likable about this song as I found it to be pure ear candy and that’s coming from someone who was eager to put down anything Kendrick put out next!