Billboard Hot 100's Top 40 Devoid of Rap Songs for First Time in 33 Years
For the first time in over three decades, the Billboard Hot 100 chart is devoid of rap songs in the top 40, leaving the music industry taking notice. The last time this occurred was in February 1990, when Biz Markie's 'Just a Friend' was the highest-ranking rap song at number 41. The recent dip in rap's commercial dominance is a notable sign, with Billboard reporting the phenomenon.
The artist who had the last rap number-one single on the Billboard Hot 100 before 2025 was Kendrick Lamar. His collaboration 'Luther' with SZA topped the chart for fourteen weeks in 2025. However, a rule change by Billboard contributed to 'Luther' dropping out of the top 40, as it was deemed recurrent and removed from the chart.
Kendrick Lamar's 2024 album 'GNX' was boosted by his beef with Drake, leading to Lamar winning five Grammys, including two in major categories for his Drake diss track 'Not Like Us'. Meanwhile, Drake's lawsuit against UMG Recordings, Inc., alleging defamation due to the promotion of Lamar's 'Not Like Us', was dismissed by a federal judge. Drake's attorneys have announced plans to appeal the dismissal.
Currently, the highest-ranking rap songs are YoungBoy Never Broke Again's 'Shot Callin'' at number 44, followed by Cardi B's 'Safe' (featuring Kehlani) and BigXthaPlug's 'Hell at Night' (featuring Ella Langley) at numbers 48 and 49 respectively. The absence of rap songs in the top 40 is a significant shift in the music industry, and industry experts are watching to see how this trend develops.
