The real reason why Kendrick Lamar’s ‘Luther’ doesn’t have curse words
At the Grammys last weekend, Kendrick Lamar became one of a select few to win back-to-back Record of the Year awards. His duet with SZA, ‘Luther,’ took it home this year, following on from last year’s ‘Not Like Us’ triumph.
Taking to the stage following the host Cher’s mishap, in which she declared “Luther Vandross” to be the winner, Kendrick declared, “This is what music is about,” before revealing a little tidbit about his winning song. Unlike most of his tracks, ‘Luther’ doesn’t contain any swearing—and it could not have been any other way.
‘Luther’ was a single from Kendrick’s last album, GNX, and it proved to be both his and SZA’s best ever performing song in the charts. It remained at number one of the US Billboard Hot 100 for 13 weeks in a row.
Love is the song’s primary lyrical concern, while, musically, it is powered by a sample of Luther Vandross and Cheryl Lynn’s performance of the song ‘If This World Were Mine.’ Hence its title ‘Luther,’ and Cher’s confusion at the podium.
During his acceptance speech, Kendrick revealed that, in order to get permission to use the sample, he had to agree to one thing: no swearing. Neither he nor SZA could utter a curse word throughout their new song.
“Luther Vandross,” Kendrick said onstage. “This is special for me. I got to take my time because it’s one of my favorite artists of all time.”
He described it as a “privilege” when he was given permission to use the song. “When we got that clearance,” he said, “I promise you, we damn near all dropped a tear because we know how much him and Cheryl Lynn poured into that record.”
That he and SZA had been allowed to lay their vocals over ‘If This World Were Mine’ proved to Kendrick that they were “somewhat worthy to be just as great as them individuals,” referring to Vandross and Lynn. But, had he insisted on swearing, the rights-holders of the track wouldn’t have let him use it.
“They said, ‘No cursing, though. Can’t curse on it,’” Kendrick explained. “That was the only thing, right? And we said, ‘You know what? We’re gon’ do just that. No cursing. And we’re gon’ make sure that this song represents love.’”