For the first time in 35 years, no rap songs appear in the Billboard Hot 100 Top 40. Kendrick Lamar’s chart-topping hit “Luther” featuring SZA officially exited the chart following Billboard’s new rule changes announced on October 29, 2025. The updated removal thresholds have ended a record three-decade-long streak of continuous rap representation in the top 40. The change marks a pivotal moment for hip-hop’s mainstream influence in U.S. music charts.
What Happened and Why
Billboard confirmed that “Luther” dropped off the Hot 100 after spending 26 weeks on the chart, finishing at No. 38 in its final week. Under the new chart policy, songs that fail to reach No. 25 after 26 weeks are now automatically removed.
This adjustment replaced Billboard’s previous system, which only removed songs that fell below No. 25 after 25 weeks or No. 50 after 20 weeks. The new rule introduces stricter limits—songs below No. 5 after 78 weeks, No. 10 after 52 weeks, No. 25 after 26 weeks, or No. 50 after 20 weeks will be removed.
With “Luther” gone, the Billboard Top 40 currently includes no rap titles, a situation unseen since February 1990. In contrast, Taylor Swift’s The Life of a Showgirl dominates the list, with all tracks still charting.
Industry Reactions and Expert Commentary
Music analysts describe the shift as a “statistical milestone” reflecting changing listener preferences.
Billboard’s editorial team wrote that this “signals the latest chapter in the decline of rap’s commercial dominance since its peak in 2020.”
Critics note that “Luther”’s removal comes despite Kendrick Lamar’s historic year. His album GNX broke records as the longest-running No. 1 on the Top Rap Albums chart and earned him five Grammy wins. “This is less about the music’s quality and more about algorithmic exposure,” noted music analyst Jordan Mays on X (formerly Twitter).
Meanwhile, fans of Lamar and SZA continue to stream “Luther” heavily, with the song surpassing 700 million global plays on Spotify this week.
Impact on Rankings and Genre Trends
The absence of “Luther” from the Hot 100 symbolizes a broader decline in rap’s chart strength. In October 2020, there were 16 rap songs in the top 40 — by 2023, that number had halved. Now, for the first time since Biz Markie’s “Just a Friend” era, no rap track holds a top 40 spot.
While pop and R&B dominate current placements, several rap tracks remain close to re-entering the upper tier: YoungBoy Never Broke Again’s “Shot Callin” (No. 44), Cardi B’s “Safe” featuring Kehlani (No. 48), and BigXthaPlug’s “Hell at Night” (No. 49).
What’s Next for the Genre
Industry watchers expect a potential rebound as major rap releases from Drake, Travis Scott, and Doja Cat are scheduled for late 2025. With Billboard’s rule changes emphasizing sustained performance, upcoming singles will face a more competitive climb to maintain visibility.
As “Luther” exits the chart, the moment underscores the evolving dynamics of chart longevity, streaming influence, and cross-genre blending in U.S. mainstream music.
Source List
Billboard Official Announcement (Oct. 29, 2025)
People Magazine: “No Rap Songs in the Top 40 for First Time in 35 Years”
Spotify Global Charts Data (Oct. 2025)
Music Analyst Jordan Mays via X
