Key Takeaways
- For the first time since 1990, no rap songs are in the Billboard Hot 100's top 40 as of the chart dated October 25, 2025.
- Kendrick Lamar and SZA's song "Luther" ended its 13-week run at No. 1, and the highest-charting rap song now is YoungBoy Never Broke Again's "Shot Callin" at No. 44.
- The commercial dominance of hip-hop has dipped, with its market share falling from nearly 30% in 2020 to around 24% in 2025.
For the first time in more than 35 years, no rap songs appear in the Billboard Hot 100's top 40.
The streak came to an end on the chart dated Oct. 25, 2025, following the fall of Kendrick Lamar and SZA's 13-week No. 1 hit, "Luther." The highest-charting rap song is now YoungBoy Never Broke Again's "Shot Callin" at No. 44, just outside the top 40. Other rap tracks, including Cardi B's "Safe" featuring Kehlani and BigXthaPlug's "Hell at Night" featuring Ella Langley, are also in the 40s at No. 48 and 49.
The last time the Hot 100 had zero rap songs in the top 40 was Feb. 2, 1990, when Biz Markie's "Just a Friend" reached No. 41. That single would jump to No. 29 the following week, sparking a 35-year, eight-month, and three-week streak of rap songs consistently appearing in the top 40.
Billboard's recent chart methodology changes played a role in the milestone. According to the outlet, songs that had spent extended time on the chart and fell below certain positions were deemed recurrent and removed. "Luther," which had been at No. 38 the week prior after 46 weeks on the Hot 100, was one such song. Seven other non-rap songs were also removed.
While the rule change created opportunities for other tracks to rise, no rap songs were close enough to break into the top 40. The dominance of Taylor Swift's 12-song stronghold from her new album The Life of a Showgirl also limited room for rap hits.
Hip-hop's absence in the top 40 highlights a recent dip in commercial dominance. At its peak in 2020, rap made up nearly 30% of the overall market share; by 2023, it fell to just over 25%, and through Oct. 23, 2025, it has hovered around 24%. In comparison, the same chart week in 2020 featured 16 rap songs in the top 40, and two years ago, there were eight.
"Luther" was the last rap song to appear in the Hot 100's top 10, ranking No. 9 on the Aug. 2 chart, before falling out of the top 10 the following week. The closest any rap song has come since was BigXthaPlug's "All the Way" at No. 22 on Sept. 6, 2025.
