Recent rule changes that led to the departure of Kendrick Lamar and SZA‘s “Luther” from the Billboard Hot 100 left the top 40 positions without a single rap song for the first time in 35 years
It’s going to take some time to rebuild the 35-year streak that was broken when updates to the Billboard Hot 100 rules led to the departure of Kendrick Lamar and SZA‘s “Luther,” leaving the Top 40 without a single rap song for the first time since 1990. On this week’s chart, Megan Thee Stallion is leading the restoration effort with her enamored single “Lover Girl.”
Released on Oct. 24, “Lover Girl” debuted at Number 38 on the Billboard Hot 100. It arrives in the same position that “Luther” was in when it was rendered recurrent and removed from the chart. According to the updated rules, the song would have needed to maintain a position at Number 25 or above after its 26th week to avoid being removed.
Megan has many weeks to go before she would have to worry about being impacted by these changes. Still, “Lover Girl” is only a few positions above the Top 40 line; if it were to slip even three places on next week’s chart, rap will be out once again.
There are other rap songs on the chart that could continue their trek up the chart, but an influx of new entries, including Halloween hits like “Thriller” and “This Is Halloween,” has led to some momentary shifts. YoungBoy Never Broke Again’s “Shot Callin,” is down to Number 48 this week from Number 43 last week, and BigXthaPlug and Ella Langley’s “Hell at Night” is at Number 52, down from Number 50.
Meanwhile, more pop and country hits are inching into the Top 40. Katseye’s “Gabriela” returned to its Number 37 position, moving up three positions since last week. Ella Langley’s “Choosin’ Texas” has also taken hold alongside jumps in performance from Benson Boone’s “Mystical Magical” and Luke Combs’ “Back In The Saddle.” Taylor Swift’s dominance with The Life of a Showgirl also seems to be slipping, though “The Fate of Ophelia” and “Opalite” are holding strong.