Kendrick Lamar and SZA just unleashed the cinematic video for their Billboard-topping GNX hit “Luther,” and it’s got layers—romance, nostalgia, and a sneaky Drake connection that’s got fans buzzing! Dropped on April 11, 2025, the Karena Evans-directed visual is a moody masterpiece, but it’s Evans’ past with Drizzy that’s raising eyebrows. With the Grand National Tour kicking off soon and Mustard jumping on board, this is K-Dot and SZA owning the moment—while the Drake beef simmers in the background. Here’s the full scoop on the video, the tour, and that Toronto shade!
The “Luther” Visual Vibe
Directed by Karena Evans, “Luther” is a love-soaked short film, sampling Luther Vandross and Cheryl Lynn’s “If This World Were Mine.” Shot in stark black-and-white with pops of color, it follows Kendrick and SZA with their respective partners, all longing glances and quiet intimacy. No heavy plot—just raw emotion amplifying the track’s No. 1 Hot 100 reign (seven weeks strong, per Billboard). Evans, a Toronto native, nails the vibe, ending with Vandross’ original croon for extra heart. X fans are obsessed: “Kendrick and SZA got me in my FEELS!” But the real tea? Evans’ Drake history.
The Drake Tie-In
Evans isn’t new to this—she helmed Drake’s 2018 vids for “God’s Plan,” “Nice for What,” and “In My Feelings,” plus 2024’s “I’m Upset.” Her work shaped Drizzy’s visual era, so her steering “Luther” feels like a flex, especially after Kendrick’s 2024 Drake feud (think “Not Like Us” sweeping the Grammys). She also directed SZA’s 2018 “Garden (Say It Like Dat),” tying her to both TDE stars. Some X posts scream “Kendrick stole Drake’s director!” but others note Evans’ SZA link makes it less spicy. Either way, it’s a subtle jab—Kendrick’s been trolling Drake all year, from Super Bowl fits to Grammy flexes. No direct beef here, but the optics? Chef’s kiss.
Grand National Tour Hype
“Luther” lands just before Kendrick and SZA’s co-headlining Grand National Tour, their first all-stadium trek, starting April 19 in Minneapolis’ U.S. Bank Stadium and wrapping June 18 in Landover’s Northwest Stadium. Expect 19 North American stops—Houston, Philly, L.A. (Kendrick’s turf), St. Louis (SZA’s roots), Vegas, Chicago—plus two nights in Drake’s Toronto (June 12-13). Variety says Europe follows, ending August 9 in Stockholm. Mustard, the “Not Like Us” beatmaker, is the only opener announced, hyping his role on X: “We taking it worldwide!” Tickets? Live Nation’s got ‘em, with prices from $40 to $200+. Their Super Bowl LIX “Luther” debut set the stage—this tour’s gonna be biblical.
SZA’s Toronto Tease
SZA hit Jimmy Kimmel Live! April 1, and the host got cheeky about those Toronto dates: “You’re going for two nights. Are you worried?” SZA played it cool—“Are you worried? I think it’s gonna be so fun”—but Kimmel pushed: “What if you-know-who shows up?” She dodged with a sly, “Who knows who?” The crowd ate up her shade, and X lit up: “SZA ain’t scared of Drake’s hometown!” With Kendrick’s feud cooling (he’s sidestepped Drake since GNX’s November drop), SZA’s keeping it playful, not personal. Still, those Scotiabank Arena shows feel like a victory lap.
Mustard’s Drake Advice
Mustard, who’s joining the tour, weighed in on Drake post-beef during a Big Boy chat after Kendrick’s Super Bowl. Asked what Drake should do, he kept it real: “Just make music, man. Make good music and you’ll be fine. No tactics, no gimmicks.” It’s a nod to his own pivot—producing Drake’s “Search & Rescue” then Kendrick’s “Not Like Us,” which sold 1M units and ruled 2024. He’s not picking fights, just preaching purity. X fans vibe with it: “Mustard’s right—Drake, drop bars, not lawsuits!” (Drake’s UMG legal jab at “Not Like Us” didn’t stick.) Mustard’s tour slot seals his hot streak—Faith of a Mustard Seed hit No. 29 on Billboard 200.
Why It’s Bigger Than Music
“Luther” isn’t just a hit—it’s Kendrick and SZA’s decade-long TDE chemistry (Z to “All the Stars”) flexing on GNX, which sold 319K first-week and sent all 12 tracks to the Hot 100. The video’s timing, Evans’ involvement, and the tour’s scale scream cultural takeover. Kendrick’s moved past Drake disses (no “Not Like Us” in the vid), but choosing Evans feels like a chess move—less beef, more legacy. SZA’s ethereal glow and Kendrick’s introspective bars make “Luther” a mood, and X agrees: “This is Black love done right!” With 4.2M YouTube views in a day, it’s resonating.
