Megan Thee Stallion's 'Lover Girl' Revives Rap on the Billboard Hot 100
Megan Thee Stallion has made a significant impact on the US top 40 chart by bringing rap back after a two-week absence. This marked the first time in 35 years that hip-hop and rap songs were missing from the Billboard Hot 100's top 40. The absence was due to rule changes that affected the eligibility of songs on the chart. Kendrick Lamar and SZA's hit single 'Luther' fell into recurrent status after 46 weeks on the chart, leaving a gap in the top 40.
However, the latest update for the week of November 8 saw rap return to the top 40, thanks to Megan Thee Stallion's latest single, 'Lover Girl'. The track debuted at Number 38 on the Hot 100, garnering significant streams, radio airplay, and sales in the US. This marks Megan's 21st release to reach the Hot 100's top 40, showcasing her continued success in the music industry.
While 'Lover Girl' is expected to drop in the next Hot 100 update, there are no rap songs currently behind it on the chart that could take its place. Other rap songs on the chart have seen fluctuations in their positions, with some dropping and others rising. The rule change regarding recurrent songs has impacted the chart, leading to songs falling below a certain position being removed from the top 40.
Megan Thee Stallion's 'Lover Girl' follows her previous single 'Whatever' released in 2025, both expected to be part of her upcoming album 'Megan: Act III'. With her continued success and influence in the rap world, Megan solidifies her position as a prominent figure in the music industry. The return of rap to the top 40 highlights the genre's enduring popularity and impact on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.