For the first time in over 35 years, the Billboard Hot 100 chart has no rap songs within its top 40 positions. This marks a notable shift in the music landscape, highlighting a recent dip in hip-hop's commercial dominance.
The Oct. 25, 2025, chart revealed this change after Kendrick Lamar and SZA's 13-week No. 1 hit, "Luther," fell off the Hot 100. This event ended a long streak of rap representation in the chart's upper echelons.
Key Takeaways
- No rap songs in the Hot 100 top 40 for the first time since February 1990.
- Kendrick Lamar and SZA's "Luther" departing the chart contributed to this change.
- New Billboard chart rules for recurrent songs played a role.
- Rap's market share has decreased from nearly 30% in 2020 to 24% in 2025.
- Major artists like Drake and Lamar are currently between album cycles.
A Historic Shift on the Hot 100
The last time the Hot 100 top 40 did not feature a single rap song was on February 2, 1990. At that time, Biz Markie's "Just a Friend" was the highest-ranking rap track, sitting at No. 41. The following week, it climbed to No. 29, beginning a consistent run of rap songs in the top 40 that lasted for over three and a half decades.
This long streak, spanning 35 years, eight months, and three weeks, has now concluded. The absence of rap music in the top 40 comes at a time when the music industry is experiencing various shifts.
Chart Fact
The highest-ranking rap song on the Oct. 25 Hot 100 chart was YoungBoy Never Broke Again’s “Shot Callin,” at No. 44. Cardi B’s “Safe” (featuring Kehlani) and BigXthaPlug’s “Hell at Night” (featuring Ella Langley) followed closely at Nos. 48 and 49.
Impact of New Chart Methodology
Recent changes to Billboard's Hot 100 methodology played a role in the sudden drop. For the Oct. 25 chart, specific rules for recurrent songs were implemented. Songs exceeding certain durations on the chart and falling below updated chart thresholds were removed. For example, a song falling below No. 25 after 26 weeks on the chart would become recurrent.
This rule change directly affected "Luther." The song had fallen to No. 38 on the previous week's chart, its 46th week on the listing. Its removal, along with seven other top 40 songs, created an opportunity for other tracks to enter the top 40. However, no rap songs were positioned close enough to make that jump.
Understanding Recurrent Rules
Billboard's recurrent rules are designed to keep the Hot 100 dynamic. They ensure that older, declining songs eventually make way for newer, more active tracks. While this opens up spots, it can also lead to significant shifts when popular songs are removed simultaneously.
Broader Trends in Hip-Hop's Market Share
The lack of rap songs in the Hot 100's top 40 is part of a larger trend showing a dip in hip-hop's commercial dominance. Hip-hop's overall market share reached its peak in 2020, nearing 30% of the total music market. By 2023, this figure had slipped to just over 25%.
Through the week of Oct. 23, 2025, the market share for hip-hop stands at 24%. This represents a significant decrease from its peak just five years prior. In comparison, the Hot 100 chart from Oct. 24, 2020, featured 16 rap songs in the top 40. Two years ago, on Oct. 28, 2023, there were eight rap songs in the top 40.
"The commercial landscape for music is always evolving, and these chart movements reflect current listener preferences and industry dynamics," a music analyst stated.
Artist Activity and New Releases
The current period also sees some of rap's biggest names in a transition phase. Drake, known for his consistent chart presence, has not yet released his anticipated "Iceman" album. Kendrick Lamar, after a highly successful 18-month run, has been relatively quiet on the release front.
Despite these factors, the last few months have not been entirely devoid of major rap releases. Cardi B and BigXthaPlug, both close to the top 40, have dropped new albums since August. Drake has also released a steady stream of singles since announcing his upcoming album in July.
- Drake: Awaits release of "Iceman" album.
- Kendrick Lamar: Currently dormant after an 18-month period of success.
- Cardi B: Released new album since August.
- BigXthaPlug: Released new album since August.
The Path Forward for Rap on the Charts
"Luther" was the most recent rap song to enter the Hot 100's top 10, reaching No. 9 on the chart dated Aug. 2. It then fell to No. 12 the following week. In the subsequent two months and three weeks, no other rap song reached the top 10.
The closest any rap song came was BigXthaPlug’s “All the Way” (featuring Bailey Zimmerman), which peaked at No. 4 in April but ranked at No. 22 on the Sept. 6 Hot 100. This week's chart, dated Nov. 1, 2025, extends the rap song-less streak in the top 40 to a second week.
However, there is a glimmer of hope. YoungBoy Never Broke Again's "Shot Callin" has moved up one spot, from No. 44 to No. 43. This brings it slightly closer to re-entering the top 40 and potentially ending the current drought.