Hip-Hop sees decline in 35 years with no songs in The US Billboard Top 30

For the first time in 35 years, the charts have seen no rap songs enter The Billboard Top 30. The last longstanding song in the charts was 'Luther' by Kendrick Lamar and SZA.

Date published: 5th Nov 2025

It's a sad day in the world of Hip-Hop and rap in America, as it has been reported that music under the genre has not made it into The US Billboard Top 30 - a first in 35 years.

Since the implementation of the new rule made by Billboard, changing how long songs are deemed eligible to remain in the chart, hit single ‘Luther’ by Kendrick Lamar and SZA saw a vast decline after 13 weeks at number one. Leaving the departure to be the last rap song to feature in The US Billboard Top 30 after its 46-week-long reign. 

Unlike the UK, the US doesn't have a rule on how many album tracks can be registered on the Billboard countdown, which saw the increase of Taylor Swift's most recent tracks chart number one, despite mixed reviews. 

However, it's not all bad news as Hot Girl, Megan Thee Stallion's latest single Lover Girl', (a dedication to current basketball partner, Klay Thompson) saw a debut at Number 38 on the Hot 100. The song released on Friday, 24th October, was confirmed to enter the charts after the latest update (for the week of Saturday, November 8). 

But for those in the UK who are feeling a little worried about the death of Hip-Hop and rap, don't. Especially since rapper Dave's latest track 'Raindance' featuring Tems stands at number five on the UK Billboard Top 100. The song is also part of the rapper's recent album release (Friday, 24th October), 'The Boy Who Played the Harp'. 

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