When Billboard revealed that for the first time in decades, there were no hip-hop songs in the top 40 of the Hot 100 Chart, it kick-started a conversation about the current state and future of the genre.
Forever a bold cultural movement: Hip-hop music will always be a topic of discussion
A style of music that has so much emotion, style, and influence, I wholeheartedly believe that the cultural movement remains as impactful as it was when it first emerged in the early 1970s. After all, if it weren’t, this topic wouldn’t be ‘breaking news.’
Like other genres, hip-hop has evolved, and so have the requirements for a single (or project) to chart on the prominent list. Of course, streaming has made it easier for an artist to gain an entry, but sales (both traditional physical and digital), as well as radio airplay, remain major factors.
Additionally, it’s worth noting that hip-hop artists and songs were not absent from the chart for the week of November 1. NBA YoungBoy, BigXthaPlug, Doja Cat, Cardi B, and more charted a little below the Top 40.
There’s no shortage of hip-hop music, and you can hear bits of it in other genres
Can people argue about the quality of the genre? If they want to, sure. Some hip-hop fans are into hardcore lyricism and music with substance. Some are here for the playful bops, the catchy songs that either make you want to dance or rap along. Hip-hop caters to a wide range of moods and tastes. Its ‘absence’ from the Top 40 isn’t a big deal to me because it doesn’t lessen what the genre has done for the industry.
Even if you don’t have an interest in the music, you can’t escape it, as a lot of its elements, from production techniques to slang, have permeated other genres. So, instead of focusing on a chart, give a classic hit a stream or look for a new release to appreciate.
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