Cher’s Grammys 2026 moment, Kendrick Lamar and SZA’s “Luther,” and who Luther Vandross was
Cher’s appearance at the 2026 Grammy Awards became one of the ceremony’s most replayed clips after a quick onstage mix-up tied directly to “Luther,” the Kendrick Lamar and SZA collaboration that went on to win Record of the Year. The moment also sent a wave of searches for Luther Vandross—because Cher briefly said his name while presenting the award, even though the trophy was for a song titled “Luther,” not for Vandross himself.
What happened with Cher at the Grammys 2026
Cher appeared during the 2026 Grammys weekend for a Lifetime Achievement honor and then returned to the main show to present Record of the Year on Sunday, February 1, 2026 (ET). During the presentation, she stumbled through the read and, in the flub that went viral, said “Luther Vandross” instead of announcing Kendrick Lamar and SZA as winners for “Luther.”
She also made a few off-the-cuff remarks at the microphone—self-deprecating and a little chaotic in the way longtime fans recognize—before the show moved on and the winners delivered their acceptance speech. The mix-up didn’t change the result, but it became a shorthand for the night’s loosened, anything-can-happen energy.
Kendrick Lamar “Luther” with SZA: why the title matters
“Luther” is titled as a nod to Luther Vandross, and that connection is more than a name-check. The track draws on Vandross’s legacy both in sound and in spirit: it’s built around a classic R&B foundation and frames its message as a sincere love song rather than a victory lap.
The song is also closely tied to the musical lineage Vandross represents—romantic, high-craft vocal performance and arrangement—making it an intentional bridge between eras. That’s part of why Cher’s accidental “Luther Vandross” read landed the way it did: she named the inspiration while trying to announce the award for the inspired work.
Who is Luther Vandross?
Luther Vandross was one of the defining voices of modern R&B and soul—known for a smooth tenor, precision phrasing, and a run of deeply romantic hits that became wedding staples and late-night slow-jam standards. His career also included extensive behind-the-scenes work as a vocalist, arranger, and songwriter, with a reputation for perfectionism in the studio.
Vandross died in 2005, but his catalog continues to be sampled, referenced, and reinterpreted—especially by artists who want to signal classic R&B craftsmanship and emotional directness. So when people ask “who is Luther Vandross?” in the wake of “Luther,” the short answer is: an icon whose musical DNA is embedded in the track’s concept.
SZA at the Grammys and the “Luther” win
SZA’s presence in “Luther” is central: the record works because it plays like a true duet, not a feature pasted onto a rap track. That balance helped make the song feel like a “big” recording—radio-friendly, emotionally legible, and built for repeat listening—while still carrying Kendrick Lamar’s signature writing approach.
At the 2026 Grammys, “Luther” took home Record of the Year, putting both artists at the center of the night’s conversation and turning a title that already sparked curiosity into a full-on pop-culture reference point.
Quick guide to the names in your search
| Term people searched | What it refers to | Why it’s trending now |
|---|---|---|
| Cher Grammys 2026 | Cher’s presenting moment and remarks | Viral onstage mix-up during Record of the Year |
| Kendrick Lamar “Luther” | Kendrick Lamar and SZA duet “Luther” | Won Record of the Year at the 2026 Grammys |
| Luther Vandross | Late R&B/soul singer | Song title homage + Cher accidentally said his name |
| SZA Grammys | SZA’s role in “Luther” and awards night highlights | High-profile win and acceptance moment |
What to watch next
The Cher clip has already taken on a second life as a meme, but the longer-term impact is musical: “Luther” winning one of the top awards keeps attention on how modern rap and R&B are borrowing from classic ballad structure and legacy vocal records. It’s also likely to drive more listeners back to Vandross’s originals and collaborations—especially the recordings most connected to the sound palette “Luther” leans into.
If you want, tell me whether you meant Cher’s exact on-mic quote (the wording) or a clean summary of her remarks, and I’ll focus tightly on that.
Sources consulted: Recording Academy (Grammy Awards), People, Entertainment Weekly, Pitchfork
