Kendrick Lamar Trades One No. 1 For Another — And Owns The Entire Top Three

Forbes

10-04-2025

Kendrick Lamar rules Billboard's Rap Airplay chart again as 'Luther' replaces his own 'TV Off' at ... More No. 1, while he also controls the entire top three. NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - FEBRUARY 06: Kendrick Lamar speaks during the Super Bowl LVIX Pregame & Apple Music Super Bowl LVIX Halftime Show Press Conference at Ernest N. Morial Convention Center on February 06, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by)
Kendrick Lamar has been enjoying a wildly successful run on Billboard's rap charts for months now. First, he grabbed headlines and dominated multiple tallies with 'Not Like Us,' his now-Grammy-winning Drake diss track. Then came GNX, his latest studio album that's packed with hits, many of which have become radio staples as of late. This week, Lamar continues his reign on one of the most important rap rankings in the U.S., and he does so by swapping out one of his own smashes for another.
On this week's Rap Airplay chart, Lamar is back on the top, but not with the same song that was leading last frame. Instead, 'Luther,' his collaboration with SZA, lifts from No. 2 to No. 1 on the ranking, displacing one of his own tunes in the process. The cut has now spent 18 weeks on the tally, though this is only its second frame ruling the list.
Just last week, 'TV Off' was the top track across rap radio in America. The tune, which credits both Lamar and Lefty Gunplay, is pushed down to No. 2, as 'Luther' takes over once more, with DJs and radio programmers switching which GNX cut they prefer.
This frame, Lamar does something few artists will ever achieve — he controls the top three spots on one of Billboard's radio charts. Coming in behind 'Luther' and 'TV Off' is 'Squabble Up,' a solo effort and the original focus track from GNX. That tune is up to No. 3 this week, its highest placement yet on the ranking.
'Squabble Up' has now spent 19 weeks on the Rap Airplay list, one more than either 'Luther' or 'TV Off.' So far, it's only peaked at No. 3, but if its upward ascent continues, Lamar may swap out a winner for the third week in a row – earning a trio of champions in a row.
Just outside the highest tier, another GNX track is on the rise. 'Peekaboo,' which features AzChike, inches up one space to No. 13. That position represents a new peak for the tune, now in its sixth week on the Rap Airplay chart. While it still has some distance to cross before it comes close to giving Lamar one more ruler, his winning streak could continue. Even if 'Peakaboo' doesn't hit No. 1, if the cut breaks into the top 10 – which seems likely – it will be a major win for the rapper, as it's extremely rare for any act to occupy a quartet of spots inside the loftiest tier on any of Billboard's airplay tallies at the same time, especially as a lead act.