Did You Know Kendrick Lamar’s “Luther” Has Deep African Musical Roots?

When you first hear “Luther” — the 2024 collaboration between Kendrick Lamar and SZA — it feels like a modern R&B ballad with soul-soothing melodies and smooth vocals. But beneath that polished surface lies a deep musical heritage stretching back decades — and continents.

This article uncovers how “Luther” connects to African rhythms, Detroit soul, Los Angeles jazz, and the modern West Coast hip-hop sound. Let’s take a journey into the real music behind the song.

The Soul Sample: Heritage from Detroit

At the heart of “Luther” lies a classic soul sample — “If This World Were Mine”, first written and performed by Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell in 1967.
(Wikipedia: If This World Were Mine)

The song was recorded at the legendary Hitsville U.S.A. studio in Detroit, Michigan, the birthplace of the Motown Sound — a style that blended gospel, R&B, and pop into timeless hits.
(Source: Wikipedia – Hitsville U.S.A.)

In 1982, Luther Vandross and Cheryl Lynn released a passionate reinterpretation of the same song, which reached #4 on Billboard’s R&B chart. That exact rendition became the sampled foundation of “Luther.”
( Wikipedia: Luther Vandross & Cheryl Lynn version)

So before Kendrick ever touched the mic, “Luther” was already carrying the soul of Detroit and the romantic elegance of 1980s R&B.

Jazz & the African Diaspora: The Kamasi Washington Connection

Beyond the sample, “Luther” expands into a lush, jazz-infused production thanks to Kamasi Washington, one of Los Angeles’s most influential saxophonists and composers.
👉(Wikipedia: Kamasi Washington)

Washington’s presence is significant — his jazz style is directly influenced by African artists.
In an interview with OkayAfrica, he revealed:

“My dad’s first record was Hugh Masekela’s The Americanization of Ooga Booga… Fela Kuti definitely impacted me a lot.”
— OkayAfrica Interview

He’s also discussed how he seeks to connect with African heritage through rhythm and melody:

“As an African-American, many of us don’t know our exact origin… I try to connect to my ancestors by connecting with African rhythms.”
— KSUT Interview

That means the DNA of “Luther” isn’t just American — it’s Pan-African.
Washington’s contributions link modern jazz and hip-hop to South African trumpeter Hugh Masekela and Nigerian Afrobeat pioneer Fela Kuti — both legends who shaped the global sound of Black music.

Hip-Hop & R&B Framework: The Modern Layer

While the heart of “Luther” is soul and jazz, its structure sits firmly within modern R&B and hip-hop.

Official Credits:

• Writers: Kendrick Lamar, SZA, Atia Boggs, Samuel Dew, Scott Bridgeway, Mark Spears, Jack Antonoff, Kamasi Washington, Marvin Gaye**
• Producers: Sounwave, Jack Antonoff, Kamasi Washington, M-Tech, roselilah
  (Source: Wikipedia – “Luther” (song)

Kendrick, hailing from Compton, California, and SZA, from Missouri, bring a blend of West Coast rap energy and soft R&B intimacy. Their vocal chemistry turns the nostalgic sample into something that feels fresh, cinematic, and deeply emotional.

Mapping the Musical Geography of “Luther”

The result?
A global dialogue through sound — from Detroit’s Motown to L.A.’s jazz clubs, and spiritually, back to Africa’s rhythmic roots.

Why It Matters

At first glance, “Luther” might sound like a simple love song, but dig deeper and you’ll find it’s a multi-layered history lesson in Black music.

• Emotional lineage: Marvin Gaye’s raw soul → Luther Vandross’s romantic tone → Kendrick Lamar’s introspective emotion.
• Cultural lineage: Detroit’s Motown → L.A.’s jazz scene → African rhythmic influence.
• Geographic lineage: Africa → U.S. South → Detroit → Compton → Global streaming platforms.

This isn’t just a song — it’s a bridge across generations and continents.

Why “Luther” Is Perfect for Music Geography Lovers

If you’re passionate about how music travels — from one culture to another, from one century to the next — “Luther” is a masterclass in musical geography.

It shows how African musical ideas (rhythm, call-and-response, groove) have evolved through:

• Gospel & Soul (U.S. South)
• Motown & R&B (Detroit/New York)
• Jazz & Funk (Los Angeles)
• Hip-Hop & Neo-Soul (Modern America)

All of them flow into this one 2024 track.

Final Thoughts

“Luther” by Kendrick Lamar and SZA isn’t just a song you hear — it’s a story you feel.
From African rhythms to Detroit soul, from Los Angeles jazz to modern hip-hop, it carries generations of sound within a single track.

Next time you stream “Luther”, remember: you’re not just listening to music —
you’re listening to history echoing through rhythm.

Related : https://tinselisland.com/kendrick-lamars-not-like-us-2024/