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.
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.
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? 
.
. 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 
?
a whole 35 yrs without a rap song at #1?! what even is happening to hip hop?? 
i'm trying to stay hopeful that rap will bounce back but at the same time idk what changed since 1990 
anyway gotta give credit to Kendrick & SZA for the iconic bop 
still spinning "Luther" in my car tho 
i'm also hyped for youngboy's new single shot callin' 
anyone know if he's gonna make it bigger?
. 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 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! 
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 
. 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 
, 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? 
It feels like the charts are losing touch with the music industry.
. 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? 
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. 
! but at the same time i can see why billboards had to make those changes 
they gotta keep it fresh and exciting 
cant wait to see what youngboy never broke again has next ! 