For the first time in more than 35 years, there isn’t a single rap song inside the top 40 of the Billboard Hot 100. The chart dated October 25, 2025, officially ended hip-hop’s run that began back in February 1990, when Biz Markie’s “Just a Friend” broke through. That streak lasted 35 years, eight months, and three weeks.
New Rules for Billboard Hot 100 Chart
The shift is the result of new rules Billboard rolled out that changes how long songs can stay on the Hot 100 before they’re classified as “recurrent.”
Under the new system, songs are removed after spending too long on the charts below certain ranks:
- Below No. 25 after 26 weeks
- Below No. 10 after a year (52 weeks)
- Below No. 5 after 78 weeks (1.5 years)
- And below No. 50 after 20 weeks
Kendrick Lamar and SZA’s “luther,” which peaked at No. 1 for 13 weeks this year, was removed after spending 46 weeks on the chart. Even though “luther” was at No. 38, the track spent more than 26 weeks below No. 25, which led to its removal from the chart.
These changes were designed to clear out older songs and make room for new ones. The real story is that there weren’t any rap songs to replace it. When Lamar and SZA dropped out, the next-highest rap entry was YoungBoy Never Broke Again’s “Shot Callin” at No. 44. Cardi B and Kehlani’s “Safe” at No. 48, and BigXthaPlug’s “Hell at Night” at No. 49.
Is Rap Losing Its Cultural Dominance?
For decades, the phrase “top 40” has symbolized what the hottest songs of the moment are. The fact that there are no rap/hip-hop songs in Billboard’s top 40 is a sign that the genre is on the decline.
It’s not that surprising because the genre has been stagnant for years.
The minimalist trap sound that defined the genre in the 2010s is considered outdated now. Production is repetitive. A lot of rap albums will sound like you’re listening to the same song over and over again. The biggest rappers in the game, Kendrick Lamar, J. Cole, Travis Scott, Drake, have been around for over a decade. The genre hasn’t produced a new generation of stars capable of carrying the torch.
Some feel like the rappers that are hot right now are untalented, or they’re too reliant on autotune or mumble rap to get by.
There’s also a growing sense that the “rapper lifestyle” has lost its appeal. Luxury cars, designer clothes, and endless flexing used to be aspirational. Now the image feels as tone-deaf in an era where people are starting to hate anything they consider to be part of the 1%.
The genre’s long-standing issues with misogyny. The #MeToo movement has caused listeners to feel uncomfortable with lyrics that objectify and demean women.
Other Genres Took Over the Chart
Also, rap music has competition now. Country, pop, and R&B are all having their own moments. Pop music is dominating thanks to Taylor Swift’s record-breaking The Life of a Showgirl album.
Country music in particular has exploded in popularity over the past several years. It’s gotten to the point where R&B/hip-hop artists have crossed over to incorporate country into their sound. R&B has grown in popularity thanks to newer artists like Leon Thomas III, Rayvn Lenae, Mariah the Scientist and Olivia Dean.
A Genre in Need of Reinvention
Now this doesn’t mean that rap is dead, but it’s definitely uninspired. Artists are focused on algorithms instead of focusing on their craft, and it shows.
For hip-hop to reclaim its dominance, it needs to reinvent itself. The genre needs visionaries who aren’t afraid to challenge the idea of what a rap song should sound like.
What happens next depends on whether hip-hop can rediscover what made it unstoppable in the first place. The need to push oneself to be better, taking risks, and being unapologetically authentic.
