The Billboard Hot 100’s Top 40 Has No Rap Songs for the First Time in 35 Years
As Kendrick Lamar and SZA’s “luther” exits the chart due to new methodology rules.
Summary
- For the first time since February 1990 — over 35 years — the Billboard Hot 100’s Top 40 contained zero rap songs on the chart dated October 25, 2025
- The removal of Kendrick Lamar and SZA’s “luther,” due to new chart methodology, precipitated the end of the streak
- The highest-ranking rap song was YoungBoy Never Broke Again’s “Shot Callin,” at No. 44, amidst a decline in hip-hop’s overall market share
For the first time since February 1990, the Billboard Hot 100’s top 40 section contained zero rap songs on the chart dated October 25, 2025. This historic moment brings a close to a remarkable streak of over 35 years during which at least one rap track held a position in the upper half of the chart.
The precipitating factor for the streak’s end was the removal of Kendrick Lamar and SZA’s 13-week No. 1 hit, “luther,” which was deemed recurrent and pulled from the chart due to new methodology rules. This change, which removes descending songs that fall below certain thresholds after long runs, also took out seven other top 40 tracks.
However, the lack of new rap entries close enough to break into the newly open spots, coupled with the continued chart dominance of artists like Taylor Swift, underscores a larger trend. The highest-ranking rap song for that week was YoungBoy Never Broke Again’s “Shot Callin,” at No. 44.
This drought is seen as a clear signal of a recent downturn in rap’s commercial dominance, with hip-hop’s overall market share sliding to 24% in 2025, down from a peak of nearly 30% in 2020. The streak has unfortunately continued for a second week on the November 1, 2025 chart.
