Pregnancy Clues, Circle Symbolism & Luther Tributes: My Reaction to LUTHER video by Kendrick Lamar & SZA

When Kendrick Lamar drops a visual, it’s never just a video — it’s a conversation. His latest surprise release, LUTHER, featuring SZA, arrived without warning but right on time. Simple in concept, cinematic in execution, and loaded with quiet symbolism, this video deserves a deeper look.

I watched it a few times and here’s what stuck out to me, along with a few takes I saw circulating online:

1. The Elevator Motif

The recurring elevator scenes are beautiful and intimate, and I couldn’t help but think they symbolize the emotional ups and downs of a relationship. Elevators naturally go up and down, much like love — sometimes you’re on top, sometimes you’re stuck in between floors. Kendrick’s nonchalant, even somber energy mirrors this perfectly: visually moving, emotionally stuck.

2. Is Whitney Pregnant?

In one particularly tender moment, Kendrick is seen holding his love interest’s stomach. The woman in the video closely resembles his longtime fiancée, Whitney. Is this a subtle pregnancy reveal? Or just a nod to love, legacy, and life cycles? Either way, it added a deeply personal layer to the visual.

3. Circles Everywhere

Another thing I noticed was the recurring presence of circles: from light fixtures to elevator windows and framing choices. The circle is a timeless symbol of completeness, harmony, and eternity. In this video, it felt like a quiet reminder that everything — relationships, careers, even beefs — comes full circle.

4. A Luther Vandross & Marvin Gaye Tribute Done Right

The use of “If This World Were Mine” at the end of the video was perfection. Originally by Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell in 1967 and later covered by Luther Vandross in 1982, it’s a song about timeless, unconditional love. Kendrick using it here wasn’t random — it was reverent. The fact that this is arguably the first mainstream tribute to Luther since his passing makes it even more significant.

5. The Irony in the Director’s Chair

Karen Evans directed LUTHER, and here’s the kicker — she’s from Toronto. Yep, the same city as Drake. Not only that, but she’s directed some of Drake’s biggest visuals (God’s Plan, I’m Upset, Nice For What, In My Feelings). In the midst of Kendrick and Drake’s ongoing tension, this is a quietly poetic move.

6. You Can’t Buy Respect

What stands out most about Kendrick isn’t just his pen or his visuals — it’s the way he’s earned respect from OGs and cultural icons. From Anita Baker to the estates of Luther Vandross, 2Pac, The Isley Brothers, and Marvin Gaye, the list is long. These are figures and families who trust Kendrick to do justice to Black musical history, and LUTHER is another example of that.

Final Thoughts:

This video wasn’t about shock value. It was about intention, care, and reverence for love and legacy. Kendrick and SZA didn’t just drop a song — they dropped a cinematic tribute that feels both timely and timeless.

And if the 1 million views in just 2 hours is any indication, the people are tuned in.

WATCH THE VIDEO HERE: 

Luther by Kendrick Lamar & SZA