Kendrick Lamar – The Only Rapper in 2025 to Chart a Song Every Week on the Hot 100
When we look back at hip-hop history, certain years stand out as defining moments for specific artists. For Kendrick Lamar, 2025 is shaping up to be one of those years. From breaking chart records to dominating award shows, the Compton-born rapper has continued to prove why he stands among the greatest.
Notably, Lamar has achieved something no other rapper has done in 2025: he has charted a song on the Billboard Hot 100 every single week of the year so far. This isn’t just an achievement in rap; it’s a testament to his ability to stay musically relevant across multiple audiences, generations, and platforms.
In this article, we’ll take a deep dive into how Kendrick Lamar achieved this rare feat, the songs that carried him to the milestone, his collaborations with SZA, and what’s next for him as he gears up for the next leg of his world tour.
Kendrick Lamar’s Billboard Dominance in 2025
It’s one thing to hit the Billboard Hot 100 with a single. It’s another to stay there consistently across months. Kendrick Lamar in 2025 has maintained chart presence through 50 consecutive weeks—a run fueled by both his own music and his collaborations.
The driving force behind this incredible stretch is “luther,” his powerhouse collaboration with SZA. Released as part of Lamar’s surprise album GNX, the track spent a jaw-dropping 13 consecutive weeks at No. 1, the longest run for any rap song in Billboard Hot 100 history.
Beyond the numbers, “luther” has become a cultural moment. Its combination of Lamar’s lyrical sharpness and SZA’s soulful delivery struck a chord with listeners, dominating radio airplay, streaming charts, and social media discussions.
But “luther” alone doesn’t tell the full story. Other GNX tracks like “Not Like Us,” “tv off,” and “peekaboo” also held strong chart positions, ensuring that Lamar’s name remained firmly planted in the Hot 100 conversation.
Why “Luther” Became the Defining Song of 2025
In addition to breaking chart records, “luther” was recently crowned the fifth best summer song of 2025—and notably, it was the only rap track to make the list. That recognition underscores how the song managed to transcend hip-hop boundaries, appealing to a global mainstream audience.
The collaboration was historic for another reason: Kendrick Lamar and SZA became the first male-female duet to spend over 11 consecutive weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. That puts their partnership in the same conversations as legendary duos across other genres, marking a turning point in how rap and R&B collaborations are valued in the industry.
Grammy Success and Super Bowl Halftime Show
Before 2025’s summer dominance, Lamar was already making headlines earlier in the year. At the Grammy Awards, he swept multiple major categories, with “Not Like Us” standing out as both a critical and commercial success.
Adding to the spectacle, Lamar performed “Not Like Us” during the Apple Music Super Bowl Halftime Show, one of the most-watched events in the world. Known more for introspection than theatrics, Lamar surprised audiences with a performance that balanced artistry with spectacle, ensuring that hip-hop remained at the center of pop culture’s biggest stage.
This Grammy and Super Bowl one-two punch wasn’t just about awards and applause—it reinforced Lamar’s status as one of the few rappers who can dominate both critical acclaim and mainstream attention simultaneously.
Kendrick Lamar vs. Drake: The Feud That Fueled Momentum
It’s impossible to separate Lamar’s 2025 dominance from his ongoing feud with Drake, one of the most high-profile rivalries in modern hip-hop.
The clash dates back to Lamar’s iconic verse on Big Sean’s “Control” in 2013, where he directly challenged rap’s elite, including Drake. Fast forward to 2025, and the feud has escalated into one of the most consequential lyrical battles in hip-hop history.
“Not Like Us,” Lamar’s pointed diss track, didn’t just call out Drake—it became a cultural anthem. Its success at both the Grammys and the Super Bowl showed how deeply this rivalry resonated with audiences, creating waves far beyond rap circles.
By keeping his feud lyrical and impactful, Lamar has added an extra layer of intrigue to his already dominant year, ensuring that every release carries cultural weight.
Strategic Collaborations Keep the Momentum Alive
While Kendrick Lamar doesn’t flood the market with music, his strategic collaborations keep him visible and relevant. One standout example was his live performance with Clipse in Los Angeles earlier this year, where they performed their joint track “Chains & Whips” from Clipse’s album Let God Sort Em Out.
These carefully selected appearances strike the perfect balance between exposure and exclusivity. Unlike many artists who risk oversaturating the market, Lamar ensures that every move feels deliberate and significant.
GNX and the Album’s Ripple Effect
Lamar’s surprise release of GNX earlier in 2025 provided much of the fuel for his record-breaking Hot 100 run. Tracks like “tv off” and “peekaboo” didn’t just act as filler—they were legitimate chart contenders that reinforced his dominance.
The GNX era has been characterized by a mix of sharp lyricism, experimental production, and cultural commentary, hallmarks of Lamar’s discography that keep his music from being disposable. Each track contributes to a larger narrative, ensuring that his albums remain in heavy rotation long after release.
The Grand National World Tour: Global Impact
Lamar’s dominance isn’t confined to charts and awards. His Grand National World Tour, one of the most ambitious tours in rap history, is set to resume its South American and Mexican leg on September 23 in Mexico City.
The tour has already shattered attendance records across multiple continents, showing that Lamar’s appeal is global. Industry analysts predict the upcoming shows will blend fan favorites from across his catalog with fresh performances from GNX, ensuring that his setlists remain dynamic and engaging.
The tour’s economic impact is equally impressive. From merchandise sales to local city revenues, Kendrick Lamar’s presence is a financial and cultural force, rivaling that of global pop and rock acts.
Kendrick Lamar’s Cultural Significance in 2025
Beyond the charts and accolades, Lamar’s 2025 dominance symbolizes something bigger: the sustained cultural influence of hip-hop. At a time when pop and country crossover hits dominate much of the mainstream conversation, Lamar’s success proves that rap remains at the center of global culture.
His ability to balance artistic credibility with mainstream success is rare in today’s music landscape. The same artist who won a Pulitzer Prize for DAMN. in 2018 is now breaking commercial records with songs that still carry lyrical depth.
Music scholars and cultural critics alike are analyzing Lamar’s lyrics and career moves as part of a broader conversation about hip-hop’s evolution. His rivalry with Drake, his Grammy dominance, and his chart-topping hits all contribute to a legacy that transcends the music industry.
Looking Ahead: What’s Next for Kendrick Lamar?
With 2025 already filled with historic achievements, the question becomes: what’s next for Kendrick Lamar?
His streak of charting on the Billboard Hot 100 every week of the year is still alive, fueled primarily by “luther” and other GNX cuts. If his upcoming world tour sparks new releases or live versions that gain traction, Lamar could extend this run even further.
There’s also speculation about potential new collaborations, given his recent history with artists like SZA and Clipse. Fans and critics alike are waiting to see whether Lamar continues focusing on selective, high-impact projects or surprises the world with another full-length release.
Conclusion: A Year for the History Books
Kendrick Lamar in 2025 is not just participating in hip-hop—he’s defining it. From the record-breaking success of “luther” to Grammy triumphs, Super Bowl dominance, and an ongoing world tour, Lamar has created a blueprint for how rap can thrive in a changing music industry.
His ability to chart a song on the Billboard Hot 100 every week of 2025 sets him apart not just from his contemporaries, but from most artists in music history. Combined with his cultural impact, his rivalry with Drake, and his continued global appeal, Kendrick Lamar’s 2025 isn’t just a strong year—it’s one of the most defining years in modern hip-hop history.
