For the first time since February 1990, no rap songs appeared in the Billboard Hot 100 Top 40, ending a streak of over 35 years. The streak lasted precisely 35 years, eight months, and three weeks, highlighting the genre’s long-standing dominance on the chart.
Industry analysts suggest the absence reflects shifts in listener preferences, streaming trends, and the growing influence of pop, rock, and electronic music in shaping mainstream charts. Rap had consistently been a mainstay in the Top 40 since the early 1990s, producing numerous chart-topping hits that influenced global music culture.
This milestone marks a significant moment in music history, raising discussions about the evolving landscape of popular music and the diversification of tastes across generations.
Erizia Rubyjeana
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