For the first time in 35 years, there are no rap songs in the top 40 of the Billboard Hot 100.
The change came after Kendrick Lamar and SZA’s thirteen-week No. 1 hit Luther disappeared from the map on October 25, 2025.
The highest rap song that week was YoungBoy Never Broke Again Callin shot at number 44, followed by Cardi B’s Safe with Kehlani at number 48 and BigXthaPlug’s Hell at night with Ella Langley at number 49.
The last time rap was absent from the Hot 100’s top 40 was February 2, 1990, when Biz Markie’s Just a friend sat at No. 41 before breaking into the top 40 the following week. That moment sparked a 35-year, eight-month streak of rap representation on the chart.
Recent rule changes by Billboard contributed to the end of the streak. Songs now repeat after exceeding specific chart durations and dropping below certain positions – a change that has been lifted Luther after falling to number 38 in its 46th week.
Despite several openings created by this rule, no rap songs were close enough to re-enter the top 40. Taylor Swift’s The life of a showgirl also occupied 12 of those top positions.
Hip-hop’s market share has fallen from almost 30% in 2020 to around 24% in 2025. With major artists like Drake and Kendrick Lamar in between album cycles, the genre is in a quiet phase.
On the current map of November 1 Callin shot inches closer, climbing from No. 44 to No. 43, extending rap’s Top 40 drought into a second week.
