Has rap's reign ended? The roiling debate ahead of the Grammys

Rap music made headlines for losing its Billboard chart dominance, but it's being celebrated more than ever at the 2026 ...
Forbes

Why Rap Lyrics Can Be Used In Young Thug’s Trial, But Not In Jam Master Jay’s Case

Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. I write about the business and law of music. Two men were convicted in federal court on Tuesday in Brooklyn of murdering Jason ...
Polygon

‘DK Rap’ composer Grant Kirkhope partnered with Substantial to make a weirdly good version of the song

Very few people are likely thinking about the song “DK Rap” in 2024. If you need a refresher, it’s the simplistic and endearingly corny rap song from Donkey Kong 64 (1999), written by legendary video ...
American Songwriter

There Are No Rap Songs in the Top 40 for the First Time in 40 Years, but Why—a Dip in Commercial Dominance, Rule Changes, Taylor Swift?

The latest Billboard Hot 100 chart is unlike any other one in recent memory. According to the outlet, for the first time in 35 years, there are no rap songs in the chart’s Top 40. The update comes as ...
Stereogum

There Are No Rap Songs In The Top 40 For The First Time In 35 Years

Yesterday, Billboard deputy editor and Stereogum buddy Andrew Unterberger published a piece with some confusing implications: On last week's Billboard Hot 100, there were no rap songs in the top 40.