American Songwriter

There Are No Rap Songs in the Top 40 for the First Time in 40 Years, but Why—a Dip in Commercial Dominance, Rule Changes, Taylor Swift?

The latest Billboard Hot 100 chart is unlike any other one in recent memory. According to the outlet, for the first time in 35 years, there are no rap songs in the chart’s Top 40. The update comes as ...
collider

For The First Time in 35 Years, There Are No Rap Songs in the Hot 100 Top 40

Jazmin Kylene is a Miami-bred writer and editor with a decade-long career that spans all editorial genres, though she has a particular passion for music journalism. Upon graduating Florida Atlantic ...
Hypebeast

The Billboard Hot 100’s Top 40 Has No Rap Songs for the First Time in 35 Years

For the first time since February 1990 — over 35 years — the Billboard Hot 100’s Top 40 contained zero rap songs on the chart dated October 25, 2025 The removal of Kendrick Lamar and SZA’s “luther,” ...
Stereogum

There Are No Rap Songs In The Top 40 For The First Time In 35 Years

Yesterday, Billboard deputy editor and Stereogum buddy Andrew Unterberger published a piece with some confusing implications: On last week's Billboard Hot 100, there were no rap songs in the top 40.