In a significant moment for the music industry, Kendrick Lamar and SZA’s chart-topping collaboration “Luther” has officially exited the Billboard Hot 100 dated October 25, 2025, marking a rare occurrence where no rap songs are featured in the top 40. This shift signifies a notable change in the commercial landscape of hip-hop, as the genre once dominated the charts with compelling frequency.
The highest-ranking rap track on the recent Hot 100 was YoungBoy Never Broke Again’s “Shot Callin,” which occupies the 44th position. Other rap tracks making their presence felt in the 40s included Cardi B’s “Safe” featuring Kehlani at No. 48, and BigXthaPlug’s “Hell at Night” featuring Ella Langley at No. 49. This stark absence of rap music in the top tier of the Hot 100 has not been seen since February 2, 1990, when Biz Markie’s hit “Just a Friend” landed just outside the top 40.
Recent changes in Billboard’s charting methodology have contributed to this shift. The updates resulted in the removal of songs that had been deemed recurrent after exceeding a specified duration on the chart and falling below certain thresholds, leading to “Luther’s” removal after a commendable 46-week run. Furthermore, the emergence of new content, particularly from Taylor Swift’s recent album, has limited opportunities for rap songs to ascend into the top 40.
The absence of rap songs in the top 40 reflects a broader trend of declining commercial dominance for the genre, which peaked in 2020 when its market share neared 30%. As of now, in 2025, that figure has dipped to just over 24%. Notably, five years ago, rap accounted for 16 of the top 40 songs, while just two years ago, that number had decreased to eight.
Current circumstances in the rap scene show some of its biggest stars in a transitional phase. With Drake yet to release his highly anticipated Iceman album and Kendrick Lamar taking a step back after a significant period of activity, the market has seen fewer hits from the genre of late. Nonetheless, established artists like Cardi B and BigXthaPlug continue to release new material, hinting at the potential for a resurgence.
This week’s chart, dated November 1, 2025, maintains the streak of no rap songs in the top 40, although “Shot Callin” has made slight progress, moving from No. 44 to No. 43. The evolving landscape offers a glimmer of hope for a future revival in rap’s chart presence as new music continues to emerge and the industry adapts to the changing times.