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Kendrick Lamar and SZA’s “Luther” Hits No. 1 on Billboard’s Pop Airplay Chart
Kendrick Lamar and SZA’s collaboration “Luther” has ascended to the top spot on Billboard‘s Pop Airplay chart for the week ending May 3. This achievement signifies a notable milestone for both artists.
This is Lamar’s first time leading the Pop Airplay chart as a primary artist, previously hitting No. 1 as a featured artist on two occasions: Maroon 5’s “Don’t Wanna Know” in 2017 and Taylor Swift’s “Bad Blood” in 2015. For SZA, this marks her fourth No. 1 single, following her successes with “Saturn” in 2024 and “Kill Bill” in 2023, as well as her feature on Doja Cat’s “Kiss Me More” in 2021.
“Luther,” released under pgLang/Interscope/ICLG, has already made waves across multiple charts, having previously secured the top position on both the Rap Airplay chart, where it has maintained its lead for five weeks, and the Adult R&B Airplay chart, leading for three weeks in March. In addition to these accomplishments, it has also topped the Radio Songs chart, R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay, Mainstream R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay, and Rhythmic Airplay.
The track now joins an exclusive group of 10 songs that have claimed the top position simultaneously across Mainstream R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay, Adult R&B Airplay, Rhythmic Airplay, and Pop Airplay—charts that have existed together since 1993. These charts differ in their audience reach, with Radio Songs encompassing all formats, while R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay and Rap Airplay focus on genres specific to R&B and hip-hop.
Notable Songs Across Airplay Charts
Here’s a look at other significant hits that have topped these four airplay charts:
- “Luther,” Kendrick Lamar & SZA, 2025
- “Talk,” Khalid, 2019
- “That’s What I Like,” Bruno Mars, 2017
- “Earned It (Fifty Shades of Grey),” The Weeknd, 2015
- “Happy,” Pharrell Williams, 2014
- “Blurred Lines,” Robin Thicke feat. T.I. + Pharrell, 2013
- “No One,” Alicia Keys, 2007-08
- “Be Without You,” Mary J. Blige, 2006
- “We Belong Together,” Mariah Carey, 2005
- “On Bended Knee,” Boyz II Men, 1994-95
- “I’ll Make Love to You,” Boyz II Men, 1994
Furthermore, “Luther” is distinguished as the first rap single to lead the Pop Airplay chart since two consecutive hits in early 2024: Jack Harlow’s “Lovin on Me” and Doja Cat’s “Agora Hills.” Notably, songs categorized as rap are those that have appeared on Billboard‘s Hot Rap Songs chart.
The track serves as a tribute to the late R&B legend Luther Vandross, incorporating samples of his vocals. Vandross himself achieved one entry on the Pop Airplay chart, reaching No. 7 in 1994 for “Endless Love” alongside Mariah Carey.
As of April 17, “Luther” has spent nine weeks atop the Billboard Hot 100, garnering an impressive radio audience of 896 million, alongside 582 million official streams and 50,000 downloads sold in the U.S. The track is part of Lamar’s album GNX, which has dominated the Billboard 200 albums chart for three weeks, maintaining a position in the top five for its initial 21 weeks.
The upcoming update for all charts is set for May 3, as listed on Billboard.com.
Source
www.billboard.com