Home / Arts and Entertainment / Rap Music Disappears from Billboard Hot 100 as Pop Reigns Supreme
Rap Music Disappears from Billboard Hot 100 as Pop Reigns Supreme
29 Oct
Summary
- Kendrick Lamar and SZA's "Luther" removed from Billboard Hot 100
- Top 40 on Hot 100 lacks a single rap song for first time since 1990
- Slow-burn hits and high-debuting pop songs dominate the chart
As of 2025-10-29T20:15:13+00:00, a significant change has occurred on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. For the first time since 1990, the Top 40 no longer contains a single rap song. This shift is marked by the departure of Kendrick Lamar and SZA's hit single "Luther," which spent 13 weeks at Number One but was removed due to recent chart rule changes.
The space previously occupied by rap hits is now taken over by the entirety of Taylor Swift's album "The Life of a Showgirl," as well as popular tracks from artists like Morgan Wallen, Olivia Dean, Kehlani, and Alex Warren. Additionally, the chart has seen a rise in slow-burn hits, such as Ravyn Lenae's "Love Me Not" and Leon Thomas' "Mutt," along with high-debuting pop songs like Justin Bieber's "Daises" and Sabrina Carpenter's "Manchild."
While rap music may have temporarily disappeared from the Top 40, a few rap records are still lingering just outside the top tier, including YoungBoy Never Broke Again's "Shot Callin'" and collaborations between artists like BigXthaPlug, Ella Langley, Cardi B, and Kehlani. However, the overall trend suggests a significant shift in the musical landscape, with pop music firmly taking the lead on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
