Kendrick Lamar's 'Luther' Departs Hot 100, Leaving No Rap Songs in the Top 40 for First Time in 35 Years

Kendrick Lamar's 'Luther' Falls from Hot 100, Leaving Rap Songs in a 35-Year Drought

For the first time since 1990, a rap song has been absent from the top 40 of Billboard's prestigious Hot 100 chart. Kendrick Lamar and SZA's "Luther," which dominated the charts for 13 weeks as a number one single, has dropped out after rule changes that reduced its record-keeping time to 46 weeks.

The new chart rules have seen records fall off the Hot 100 at a rate of every six weeks, regardless of their performance. In Lamar's case, the song initially held onto the top spot for 13 weeks before slowly losing ground in subsequent weeks, eventually falling to number 38 as it entered its final week on the chart.

While "Luther" is no longer holding court on the Hot 100, its influence on hip-hop remains significant. The absence of rap songs from the top 40 has been a rare occurrence since the late 1980s and early 1990s, with this milestone marking a significant shift in the charts' current landscape.

The void left by "Luther" is being filled by pop and country hits from artists like Taylor Swift and Morgan Wallen. Meanwhile, rap fans will be keeping an eye on YoungBoy Never Broke Again's latest single "Shot Callin," which has broken into the number 43 spot.

man this is a crazy time for music charts like what's goin on with these rule changes? they're basically makin' it impossible for real artists to hold onto records for more than like 6 months or somethin' i mean Kendrick Lamar's "Luther" was killin' the game for 13 weeks and now it's just a number 38 that's still dope but it's not the same as bein' at the top for that long. and what about all the other talented rappers out there? they're gettin' pushed to the side by pop and country music like, can't we just have some real representation on these charts for once?

man... it's crazy to think that a rap song hasn't been at number one since 1990 ! Kendrick Lamar's "Luther" was such an amazing song, and I remember listening to it nonstop when it came out . The change in the Hot 100 rules has definitely shifted the landscape of hip-hop, but it's also kinda sad that a rap song isn't holding its own right now .

I'm loving the pop and country hits taking over the charts though ! Taylor Swift is killing the game as always . But for real, I'm excited to see what YoungBoy Never Broke Again has to offer - "Shot Callin" sounds like it's gonna be a banger . Guess you can say that rap fans are in for a treat... who knows when the next big rap hit will make its way onto the charts ?

omg I'm so confused what's going on with the music charts rn? a rap song not makin' it to top 40 is huge news I mean Kendrick Lamar's "Luther" was a banger but I guess its time has passed now its like pop and country artists are gettin' all the love I'm curious tho, what's behind these new rule changes? maybe it's time for a change in music trends or somethin'

I'm kinda relieved that Kendrick Lamar's "Luther" finally fell off the Hot 100 after dominating the charts for weeks. Don't get me wrong, it was a great song and all, but it's been playing on repeat for ages. The rule changes are probably good for keeping things fresh on the charts. It's crazy how much the landscape of hip-hop has changed since the '90s - now pop and country hits are getting more love than rap songs. I'm not saying Kendrick Lamar's song isn't influential or anything, but maybe it was time for some new faces to shine through?

omg u guys i'm literally shocked a whole 35 yrs without a rap song at #1?! what even is happening to hip hop?? i mean i know it was a super long run for "Luther" but still... it's like the era of biggie & tupac all over again, and now it feels like they're just ghosting us i'm trying to stay hopeful that rap will bounce back but at the same time idk what changed since 1990 was it the industry shift or something else? anyway gotta give credit to Kendrick & SZA for the iconic bop still spinning "Luther" in my car tho

omg i'm literally shocked lol this is crazy that a rap song hasn't made it to top 40 in so long i was just listening to luther like every day and now its dropped out but i gotta give props to taylor swift and morgan wallen they're killing the game right now i'm also hyped for youngboy's new single shot callin' anyone know if he's gonna make it bigger?

I just can't believe it - a whole 35 years without a rap song at the top of the Hot 100 chart? It's crazy to think about how much music trends change over time, right? I mean, I was listening to hip-hop back in the day when Kendrick Lamar is still coming up (he's like a legend already!) and it seems like just yesterday that "Luther" was dominating the airwaves. But I guess you can't stay on top forever . It'll be interesting to see how this new chart rule affects other artists - are they gonna find ways to keep their songs relevant or is the game changing for real?

I'm freaking out over this ! Like, Kendrick Lamar's song is still fire, but it's crazy that a rap song hasn't been at the top of the Billboard Hot 100 in like, forever . I get it with the new rules and all, but can't we just make an exception for greatness? I'm hyped to see what YoungBoy Never Broke Again is cooking up - "Shot Callin" sounds dope!

man... this is crazy a 35-year drought without no rap song at the top of the hot 100? it's like we're living in a parallel universe where hip hop just isn't that popular anymore i mean, "Luther" was a fire track and all but i guess even Kendrick Lamar can't break records forever what's next for rap music on the charts? are we gonna see a comeback or is this just the new normal? gotta keep an eye on those youngbloods like YoungBoy Never Broke Again, maybe he's the one who'll bring some heat back to the game

The music industry is changing so fast . This new rule change makes sense I guess, it's all about trying to keep the charts fresh and up-to-date. But it's kinda weird that a rap song that was so dominant for so long just drops off like this . Kendrick Lamar's "Luther" was an amazing song and its influence on hip-hop is still felt today . I'm actually kinda happy to see some new artists breaking through like YoungBoy Never Broke Again , but it's also a shame that the rap genre is getting pushed out of the mainstream for now . Maybe this will just be a temporary thing and we'll see more rap songs on the charts soon? We've been here before, right?

I'm low-key shocked that a rap song hasn't hit the top 40 in years . I mean, Kendrick Lamar's 'Luther' was on fire for 13 weeks straight and now it's just... gone. The new rules are crazy, every six weeks is like, what even is that? It feels like the charts are losing touch with the music industry.

I'm not saying rap isn't still doing its thing, but this is a big deal . I remember back in the day when Biggie and Tupac used to dominate those charts . Now it's all pop and country vibes . Don't get me wrong, I love some good ol' fashioned pop, but where's the hip-hop?

I'm keeping an eye on YoungBoy Never Broke Again, though his latest single is looking . Maybe we'll see a rap resurgence soon?

I'm kinda surprised that a rap song is finally out of the top 40 for so long... like 35 years or something?! It's not like rap isn't still huge or anything, but I guess the game has changed and now it's more about those pop and country vibes. Still love Kendrick Lamar tho, his 'Luther' is a banger! And yay for YoungBoy Never Broke Again's new single, can't wait to check it out!

OMG I'm kinda shocked that a rap song hasn't been at #1 on the Billboard charts for like EVER It's crazy how much influence Kendrick Lamar had with that song though! I remember listening to it nonstop and it was literally everywhere The new rule change is wild too, I don't get why they'd want to cut down the record-keeping time to 46 weeks... it just seems like a weird way to track chart performance I'm also loving that YoungBoy Never Broke Again's latest single is making waves! Who else is still bumping "Shot Callin"

oh noooo this is a big deal for rap fans ! but at the same time i can see why billboards had to make those changes they gotta keep it fresh and exciting and rappers will just have to adapt and come up with new hits cant wait to see what youngboy never broke again has next !

man I'm not surprised lol these new chart rules are like they're trying to erase the history of hip-hop or something . Kendrick Lamar was on fire and now his song just kinda... disappears ? it's crazy how much influence "Luther" had, even if it's not at number one no more. I'm loving the new pop and country tracks coming out though they're getting so much airplay and it's cool to see artists like Taylor Swift breaking records. but still can't help feeling a little left out for rap fans