Kendrick Lamar makes history unprecedented dominance on Billboard Airplay Charts with SZA
Kendrick Lamar has once again cemented his legacy as one of the greatest artists in modern music history. With his latest chart-topping single, “Luther,” featuring SZA, he has made Billboard history on the Rhythmic Airplay chart. The song has soared to the No. 1 position on the March 1 rankings, dethroning his own “TV Off,” featuring Lefty Gunplay, which previously held the top spot for three consecutive weeks.
But here’s where it gets even more insane—Lamar now owns the top four spots on the chart simultaneously, a never-before-seen achievement in Billboard airplay history. With “30 for 30” (another collaboration with SZA) sitting at No. 3, and “Squabble Up” maintaining its stronghold at No. 4, Kendrick Lamar has completely taken over.
The Only Artist to Dominate the Top Four in a Lead Role
While chart sweeps aren’t unheard of, what makes this feat historic is that Lamar holds all four positions as the lead artist.
Previously, only Drake had managed to control all top four spots on an airplay chart, but there was a key difference—Drake’s reign in 2013 and 2018 included at least one song where he was only a featured artist. Kendrick, on the other hand, is front and center in every single track.
This solidifies Lamar’s dominance in a way that no hip-hop artist has ever achieved before.
How Kendrick’s Chart Sweep Compares to Drake’s:
| Artist | Top-Four Sweep | Years | Featured Roles? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kendrick Lamar | 2025 | March | No |
| Drake | 2013 & 2018 | March-April (2013), May-June (2018) | Yes |
‘Luther’ Reigns Supreme—And So Does Lamar
In addition to its airplay dominance, “Luther” has also reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, proving its cross-genre appeal.
According to Luminate data, U.S. radio airplay for “Luther” surged by 5% between February 14-20, 2025, making it the most-played song in America across multiple formats, including urban, rhythmic, and even mainstream pop radio.
With this latest milestone, Kendrick Lamar now boasts nine career No. 1 hits on the Rhythmic Airplay chart—an incredible feat for any rapper, let alone one known for his intricate lyricism and conceptual storytelling rather than just radio-friendly singles.
Kendrick Lamar’s Full List of Rhythmic Airplay No. 1 Hits
| Song | Weeks at No. 1 | Date |
|---|---|---|
| “HUMBLE.” | 3 weeks | June 6, 2017 |
| “LOYALTY.” (feat. Rihanna) | 1 week | Sept. 30, 2017 |
| “LOVE.” (feat. Zacari) | 1 week | Dec. 30, 2017 |
| “Pray for Me” (with The Weeknd) | 2 weeks | April 18, 2018 |
| “Like That” (with Future & Metro Boomin) | 4 weeks | May 18, 2024 |
| “Not Like Us” | 12 weeks | June 15, 2024 |
| “Squabble Up” | 2 weeks | Jan. 18, 2025 |
| “TV Off” (feat. Lefty Gunplay) | 3 weeks | Feb. 8, 2025 |
| “Luther” (feat. SZA) | 1 week (so far) | March 1, 2025 |
With three No. 1 hits in just two months, Lamar is on an unstoppable run, and he’s showing no signs of slowing down.
SZA’s Role in the Chart Domination
While Lamar is the headliner, SZA has played a key role in this unprecedented success. Her feature on “Luther” marks her seventh No. 1 hit on the Rhythmic Airplay chart, further cementing her status as one of R&B’s biggest stars.
SZA’s Full List of Rhythmic Airplay No. 1 Hits:
| Song | Weeks at No. 1 | Date |
|---|---|---|
| “Kiss Me More” (with Doja Cat) | 2 weeks | June 26, 2021 |
| “I Hate You” | 1 week | March 19, 2022 |
| “Kill Bill” | 3 weeks | March 4, 2023 |
| “Snooze” | 2 weeks | July 15, 2023 |
| “Rich Baby Daddy” (with Drake & Sexyy Red) | 2 weeks | Dec. 2, 2023 |
| “Saturn” | 1 week | May 11, 2024 |
| “Luther” (feat. Kendrick Lamar) | 1 week (so far) | March 1, 2025 |
Additionally, her other collaboration with Lamar, “30 for 30,” is quickly climbing the ranks, gaining a 14% increase in airplay this week.
Kendrick Lamar & SZA: The Power Duo of 2025?
At this point, it’s undeniable—Kendrick Lamar and SZA are the hottest duo in music right now. Not only are they dominating the airwaves, but they are also proving that lyricism, artistic integrity, and mainstream success can coexist.
With “Luther” at No. 1 and “30 for 30” rising fast, industry insiders believe that SZA and Lamar could soon become the first artists to swap positions at No. 1 and No. 2 with back-to-back hits.
The Bigger Picture: What’s Next for Kendrick Lamar?
Lamar has already achieved more in two months than many artists do in an entire career, but he’s not done yet.
What to Expect in the Coming Months:
- More No. 1 records: With multiple tracks in the top 10, it’s likely that Lamar will continue breaking records throughout 2025.
- Potential album announcement? With three massive singles already dominating the charts, an album announcement seems inevitable.
- The Kendrick vs. Drake Rivalry Intensifies: With Drake historically dominating charts, will he strike back with new music? Fans are eagerly awaiting his response.
Final Thoughts: Kendrick Lamar Is in a League of His Own
Kendrick Lamar’s unprecedented chart dominance proves one thing: he’s operating on a different level from everyone else. With “Luther” leading the charge, he has rewritten hip-hop history, shattered industry norms, and left the competition in the dust.
