Kendrick Lamar’s ‘Luther’ Exits Hot 100, No Rap in Top 40 Since 1988

Kendrick Lamar’s collaboration with SZA, “Luther,” has made headlines recently as it exits the Billboard Hot 100 chart. This song, which dominated the charts for 13 weeks, marks a significant change in the musical landscape, particularly for hip-hop.

Kendrick Lamar and SZA’s Milestone Hit

“Luther” achieved remarkable success, spending a total of 46 weeks on the Billboard Hot 100. It reached the Number One spot for an impressive 13 weeks. However, recent rule changes in the chart’s tracking methodology have affected its standing.

Changes Affecting Chart Placement

Despite its strong performance, “Luther” ranked Number 38 in its final week on the Hot 100. According to the new recurrent rule, songs need to maintain positions in the Top 25 after 26 weeks. As a result, “Luther” was removed from the chart.

First Time Without Rap in the Top 40 Since 1990

This exit represents a historic moment as, for the first time since 1990, no rap songs occupy the Top 40 on the Hot 100. Instead, the chart is filled with artists from various genres. Current hits include:

• Taylor Swift’s “The Life of a Showgirl”
• Morgan Wallen’s recent singles
• Olivia Dean
• Kehlani
• Alex Warren’s “Ordinary”

Slow-Burn Hits Prevailing

Many songs in the Top 40 have been noted as slow-burn hits, gradually gaining traction. Some noteworthy mentions include:

• Ravyn Lenae’s “Love Me Not”
• Leon Thomas’ “Mutt”

Emerging Competition for Hip-Hop

While rap music is currently underrepresented, a few tracks are on the verge of breaking into the Top 40. For instance, YoungBoy Never Broke Again’s “Shot Callin” debuted in late September and has reached Number 43.

Other Notable Rap Tracks

Several other rap songs are close to the chart’s top spots but remain outside the Top 40:

• BigXthaPlug and Ella Langley’s “Hell at Night” – Number 50
• Cardi B and Kehlani’s “Safe” – Number 57

Interestingly, some artists with tracks on the Hot 100 aren’t categorized as rap. Tyler, the Creator’s “Sugar on the Tongue,” peaked at Number 41, while Doja Cat’s “Jealous Type” reached Number 28 before falling to Number 57.

Conclusion

The exit of “Luther” from the Billboard Hot 100 marks a significant shift in the industry, reflecting changes in both song eligibility and genre representation. As the music landscape evolves, it will be interesting to see how hip-hop re-establishes its presence on the charts.