Kendrick Lamar and SZA’s “Luther” Breaks Historic Chart Records as Tour Smashes Box Office Milestones
Kendrick Lamar continues to redefine the boundaries of success in hip hop, this time alongside longtime collaborator SZA. Their monumental track “Luther” has officially become the longest running number one song in the history of Billboard’s Hot Rap Songs chart, a record that stands strong after 27 weeks at the top. The previous record? Also held by Lamar, for his 2024 smash “Not Like Us,” which ruled for 26 weeks.
“Luther” isn’t just dominating rap charts—it also made waves across mainstream platforms, reigning supreme on the Billboard Hot 100 for 13 consecutive weeks. The track’s runaway success has powered Lamar’s GNX album to historic heights, with the project spending 22 weeks as the number one rap album in the United States. That feat overtakes the previous record of 21 weeks held by Pop Smoke’s Shoot for the Stars Aim for the Moon.
On the live performance front, Kendrick and SZA are rewriting the playbook for hip hop tours. Their co-headlining Grand National tour has become the highest grossing co-headlining tour in history. After just 23 shows across North America, the two TDE stars have grossed an eye-watering $256 million, with a staggering average of $11.1 million per show. With 1.1 million tickets sold and an average attendance of 48,000 fans per concert, the demand has proven to be nothing short of phenomenal.
The Maryland stop of the tour brought a heartwarming moment on stage as SZA gave Lamar a tearful tribute, expressing deep gratitude. “He put me onto the biggest moment of my life,” she told the cheering crowd. “This is also the biggest moment of my life… I’m so thankful, and I’m so thankful to y’all.” The two artists then shared an emotional hug before continuing their electric performance.
Behind the scenes, SZA opened up about the personal challenges she faced before committing to the Grand National tour. In a revealing interview with Chappell Roan for Interview Magazine, she admitted struggling with anxiety, saying she often felt overwhelmed and unsure of her place beside an artist as globally revered as Kendrick. “Everybody’s going to see Kendrick,” she said. “I don’t even know if I have anything to show these people that’s exciting and new.”
Despite those doubts, SZA’s presence on the tour has not only amplified its impact but also deepened the connection between the two powerhouse artists. As the Grand National tour nears its final stops, it’s clear that both Kendrick Lamar and SZA are operating at the very top of their game—making history on the charts, selling out arenas, and supporting each other through it all.
