Lute
Background information
Birth nameLuther Nicholson
Born (1989-07-06) July 6, 1989 (age 34)
Charlotte, North Carolina, U.S.
GenresHip hop
Occupation(s)
  • Rapper
  • songwriter
Years active2012–present
Labels
Spinoff ofJ. Cole

Luther Nicholson (born July 6, 1989), better known by his stage name Lute, is an American rapper. He is signed to J. Cole's Dreamville Records. He released his first mixtape, West1996, on February 22, 2012. His debut album, West1996 pt. 2, was released on September 29, 2017.[1] His second album, Gold Mouf, was released on October 4, 2021.

Musical career

2012-2014: West1996

Lute is a former member of Forever FC, the Charlotte hip-hop collective which has disbanded. Since then, Lute released his first mixtape titled, West1996, on February 22, 2012. The mixtape received attention from many, including Pete Rock who shared the mixtape on his Twitter page.[2][3]

2015–present: Signing to Dreamville and West1996 pt. 2

On December 8, 2015, it was officially announced that Lute was signed to J. Cole's, Dreamville Records. Lute was also featured on Dreamville's compilation album titled Revenge of the Dreamers II, on a track titled "Still Slummin'". On August 25, 2017, Lute released his first official single "Juggin'" from his album.[4] His debut album, West1996 pt. 2, had received several push backs, but was finally released on September 29, 2017.[5][6] Other promotional singles and music videos for the album include songs "Premonition" and "Morning Shift". Lute also went on the 4 Your Eyez Only World Tour with J. Cole in 2017, and with JID and EarthGang in 2017.

2020–present: Gold Mouf

On February 4, 2020, he released the single "GED (Gettin Every Dolla)", which he performed at the halftime show of the Houston Rockets @Charlotte Hornets on March 7, 2020. On July 6, 2020 he released the single "Life" along with a music video.[7] On August 14, 2020, Lute released the song "Get It and Go", featuring Blakk Soul, from the Madden NFL 21 soundtrack. On May 31, 2021, Lute released the third single, "Myself" featuring Devn.[8] The music video was later released on August 16.[9]

On October 4, 2021, Lute released his second album Gold Mouf. The album includes guest appearances from labelmates JID, Cozz, and Ari Lennox, in addition to Little Brother, Saba, Westside Boogie, BJ the Chicago Kid, Blakk Soul, and Devn.[10]

Discography

Studio albums

List of albums, with selected details
Title Album details
West1996 pt. 2
Gold Mouf
  • Released: October 4, 2021
  • Label: Dreamville, Interscope
  • Format: CD, digital download, streaming

Mixtapes

Title Album details
West1996
  • Released: February 22, 2012
  • Format: Digital Download

Extended plays

Title Album details
Untitled[12]
  • Released: September 11, 2018
  • Format: Digital Download

Compilation albums

List of albums, with selected chart positions
Title Details Peak chart positions Certifications
US
[13] 		US
R&B/HH
[14] 		US
Rap
[15]
Revenge of the Dreamers II
(with Dreamville)
  • Released: December 8, 2015
  • Label: Dreamville, Interscope
  • Format: CD, digital download
 29 4 3
Revenge of the Dreamers III
(with Dreamville)
  • Released: July 5, 2019[16]
  • Label: Dreamville, Interscope
  • Format: CD, digital download
 1 1 1
D-Day: A Gangsta Grillz Mixtape
(with Dreamville)
  • Released: March 31, 2022[18]
  • Label: Dreamville, Interscope
  • Format: Digital download
 11 6 4

Singles

As lead artist

Title Year Album
"Still Slummin'"[19] 2017 West1996 pt. 2
"Juggin'"[20]
"Morning Shift"[21]
"GED (Gettin Every Dolla)"[22] 2020 Gold Mouf
"Life"[23]
"Get It and Go"[24]
(featuring Blakk Soul) 		Madden NFL 21
"Myself"
(featuring DEVN) 		2021 Gold Mouf
"Ma Boy"[25]
(with Dreamville and JID) 		2023 Creed III: The Soundtrack

Other charted songs

List of songs, with selected chart positions, showing year released and album name
Title Year Peak chart positions Certifications Album
US US
R&B/HH 		CAN
"Under the Sun"[26]
(with J. Cole featuring DaBaby) 		2019 44 11 71
  • RIAA: Platinum
 Revenge of the Dreamers III

Guest appearances

List of non-single guest appearances, with other performing artists, showing year released and album name
Title Year Other artist(s) Album
"So Help Me God" 2018 Phonte No News Is Good News
"Section 8"[27] 2019 Jackie Spade Aurafication
"Sleep Deprived"[26] Omen, Mez, DaVionne Revenge of the Dreamers III
"Revenge"[28] 2020 Omen, Ari Lennox, EarthGang, Childish Major, Reason Revenge of the Dreamers III: Director's Cut
"Still Dreamin"[28] JID, 6lack
"Manhattan (Remix)" Stockz —
"Starting 5" 2022 Cozz, Omen D-Day: A Gangsta Grillz Mixtape
"Like Wine" —

References

  1. ^ Frydenlund, Zach. "Here's What We Know About Dreamville's New Signees, Lute and Ari Lennox | Complex CA". Complex. Retrieved June 1, 2016.
  2. ^ "Charlotte rapper Lute signs to J. Cole's Dreamville label | Vibes | Creative Loafing Charlotte". M.clclt.com. December 8, 2015. Retrieved June 1, 2016.
  3. ^ "10 Rappers Who Are Going To Blow In 2016". Greenlabel.com. October 7, 2015. Retrieved June 1, 2016.
  4. ^ "Charlotte native and Dreamville artist Lute will release 'West 1996 Pt. 2' on September 29". Clture.org. September 21, 2017.
  5. ^ "Charlotte rapper Lute signs to J. Cole's Dreamville Records". CLTure.org. December 8, 2015. Retrieved June 1, 2016.
  6. ^ "Charlotte Artist "Lute" Signed to Dreamville Records". Power 98 FM. Archived from the original on August 9, 2016. Retrieved June 1, 2016.
  7. ^ "Lute releases self-reflective, emotional song and music video on his birthday". Clture. July 7, 2020.
  8. ^ "Dreamville's Lute Holds It Down On With "Myself"". HotNewHipHop. May 31, 2021.
  9. ^ "Watch Lute's Introspective Video for "Myself" f/ Devn". Complex.
  10. ^ "Stream Lute's Debut Album 'Gold Mouf' f/ Ari Lennox, J.I.D, Saba, and More". Complex.
  11. ^ "West 1996, Pt. 2 by Lute". September 29, 2017. Retrieved September 30, 2017 – via Apple Music.
  12. ^ "2 New Lute Freestyles". Dreamville. September 10, 2018. Retrieved September 11, 2018.
  13. ^ "Various Artists – Chart History: Billboard 200". Billboard. Retrieved April 12, 2022.
  14. ^ "Various Artists – Chart History: Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums". Billboard. Retrieved April 12, 2022.
  15. ^ "Various Artists – Chart History: Top Rap Albums". Billboard. Retrieved April 12, 2022.
  16. ^ "Revenge Of The Dreamers III / Dreamville". Tidal. Retrieved July 5, 2019.
  17. ^ "DREAMVILLE - REVENGE OF THE DREAMERS III". RIAA. Retrieved November 9, 2019.
  18. ^ "J. Cole & Dreamville To Release 'D-Day' Gangsta Grillz Mixtape Tomorrow". Hip Hop n More. March 31, 2022.
  19. ^ "Lute - Still Slummin'". YouTube. Retrieved October 17, 2017.
  20. ^ "Dreamville's Lute Returns To Action With New Single, "Juggin"". 2DOPEBOYZ. August 25, 2017. Retrieved September 27, 2017.
  21. ^ "Lute - Morning Shift". YouTube. Retrieved September 29, 2017.
  22. ^ "GED (Gettin Every Dolla - Single by Lute on Apple Music". August 14, 2020 – via Apple Music.
  23. ^ "Life - Single by Lute on Apple Music". July 6, 2020 – via Apple Music.
  24. ^ "Get It And Go (feat. Blakk Soul) - Single by Lute on Apple Music". February 4, 2020. Retrieved August 15, 2020 – via Apple Music.
  25. ^ Graves, Wren (February 3, 2023). "Creed III Soundtrack Comes Out Swinging with JID and Lute's "Ma Boy": Stream". Consequence. Retrieved February 4, 2023.
  26. ^ a b "Listen to J. Cole's Dreamville's New Album Ft. Kendrick Lamar, Vince Staples, and More". Pitchfork. July 5, 2019. Retrieved July 7, 2019.
  27. ^ "Lute Joins Jackie Spade On "Section 8"". HotNewHipHop. February 5, 2019.
  28. ^ a b "Dreamville Share "Revenge Of The Dreamers III Deluxe" Tracklist & Cover Art". HotNewHipHop. January 16, 2020. Retrieved January 16, 2020.
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