Billboard names Kendrick Lamar and SZA’s “Luther” among top summer songs of 2025

Kendrick Lamar and SZA’s “Luther” lands in Billboard’s top 5 summer songs after a record-breaking year

Kendrick Lamar and SZA’s collaboration “Luther” has officially secured a place among the top 5 songs of summer 2025 on Billboard’s annual ranking.

The track, which dominated the Billboard Hot 100 earlier this year, has added another milestone to an already historic run.

Released under Lamar’s GNX imprint, “Luther” resonated with both hip-hop and R&B fans, topping the Hot 100 for 13 consecutive weeks. The feat broke a longstanding record for hip-hop songs, while also making Lamar and SZA the first male-female duo to hold the top spot for more than 11 weeks.

Billboard compiles its summer songs list based on cumulative performance on the Hot 100 between Memorial Day and Labor Day, factoring in streaming, radio airplay, and sales. This year’s chart was dominated by pop and country, but “Luther” stood out, claiming the No. 5 spot behind Morgan Wallen, Tate McRae, and Alex Warren’s viral hit “Ordinary.”

Other tracks rounding out the list include Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars’ “Die With A Smile” at No. 6, Chappell Roan’s “Pink Pony Club” at No. 8, and Sabrina Carpenter’s “Manchild” at No. 9.

The recognition caps off a landmark year for Lamar, who won multiple Grammys for “Not Like Us,” performed at the Super Bowl halftime show, and surpassed 50 billion Spotify streams. Meanwhile, SZA continues to ride high after a successful touring run and critical acclaim for her latest projects.

Lamar will next take his Grand National Tour to South America and Mexico, beginning September 23 in Mexico City before heading to Australia in December.