Karena Evans Directs Kendrick Lamar’s And SZA’s Music Video For “Luther”

Kendrick Lamar dropped his long-awaited music video for “Luther,” featuring Grammy Award winner SZA, and it quickly became a fan-favorite, garnering more than six million views just one day after its release. “Luther” celebrates Black love and displays performances of intimacy, subtlety, and tenderness between Lamar and Annahstasia Enuke, and SZA and Geron McKinley, as the sampled sweet melodies of Luther Vandross and Cheryl Lynn serenade the couples.

This beautiful music video is brought to life by the acclaimed and award-winning director and actress, Karena Evans. Evans has previously directed high-profile music videos including “Garden (Say It Like That),” “God’s Plan,” and “Have Mercy,” and directed episodes on hit series like ‘P-Valley’ and ‘Snowfall.’ In 2018, she made history as the first woman to win the Prism Prize's Lipsett Award for her unique and innovative approaches to music video art.

In an interview with CBC Radio, Evans shared that her approach to directing music videos begins with immersing herself in the artist’s world—researching the artist, listening to their music, and understanding their brand before she brings her unique concept and direction to a project. Her vision shines through in “Luther,” where her use of close-up shots and her ability to capture quiet, intimate moments beautifully underscore the emotional depth of the song and the romantic performances by Kendrick Lamar and SZA.

– Dominique Young