After a two-week absence that marked rap’s first time out of the Billboard Hot 100 Top 40 since 1990, Megan Thee Stallion’s new single, “Lover Girl,” returned hip-hop to the upper ranks by debuting at No. 38 on the November 8 chart. The Houston rapper’s track broke the recent dry spell following Kendrick and SZA’s “Luther,” which dropped out of the tally after 44 weeks due to Billboard’s new chart guidelines. “Lover Girl” garnered 8.5 million U.S. streams, 1.5 million in radio airplay audience, and 5,000 sales in its opening week. While the brief absence sparked debate about rap’s current standing in pop music, Megan’s return marked her 21st Top 40 hit, though the track is expected to drop in the rankings next week, amid a lack of other rap tracks climbing the chart. Gunna’s collaboration with Burna Boy, “wgft,” and Cardi B’s “Safe” show some chart momentum, but currently aren’t threatening to crack the Top 40. (Billboard)
