Drake Faces An Uphill Battle To Beat Kendrick Lamar On The Hot 100

Just when it looks like Drake might finally have a shot at replacing Kendrick Lamar atop the Hot 100, the “Not Like Us” rapper finds a way to tighten his grip on the crown. The two superstars, who have been engaged in a long-running feud that continues on the Billboard charts these days, are currently holding court at Nos. 1 and 2 on the most competitive singles ranking in the U.S. Drake is clearly aiming to add another No. 1 to his resume — but Lamar’s got a smash on his hands that might not budge anytime soon.

Kendrick Lamar and SZA Lead as Drake Climbs

This week, Drake’s “Nokia” jumps to a new all-time high on the Hot 100, lifting to No. 2. The tune is the Canadian rapper’s latest attempt at claiming the highest rung on the tally, and it’s picking up steam at just the right moment.

Unfortunately for him, Lamar’s “Luther,” a high-profile collaboration with SZA, holds at No. 1 yet again. The tune has now ruled the Hot 100 for eight consecutive frames, and it’s still hugely popular, even after so much time as the biggest hit in America.

Eventually, even a song as dominant as “Luther” will have to step aside — but that moment may not be coming anytime soon. Even as “Nokia” is building momentum, “Luther” appears ready to extend its reign.

The “Luther” Video Has Arrived

On Friday (April 11), Lamar released the official music video for “Luther,” and it didn’t take long for it to become a viral sensation. The black-and-white visual racked up more than 10 million views in just its first half-week on YouTube. Since plays on platforms like YouTube count toward a track’s overall consumption – as well as its placement on the Hot 100 – the new visual is expected to give “Luther” a solid bump.

The cut was already performing exceptionally well in all major categories — streaming, sales, and radio airplay — and now, the music video rollout adds to its ongoing success, and seems to ensure it will lead the Hot 100 for at least another turn or two.

Drake’s “Nokia” Faces an Uphill Battle

If Drake wants to claim his fourteenth No. 1 hit on the Hot 100, he’ll have to keep “Nokia” moving in the right direction. The track has found its audience, but it hasn’t reached the same level of ubiquity as “Luther” — especially at radio, where Lamar’s tune is the most-played cut in America. A music video for “Nokia” is already out, so there’s not an obvious next move to drive consumption in a big way.

It’s certainly not out of the question to imagine the two rappers trading places on the chart in the near future. But given the continued growth of “Luther,” Drake’s challenge just became a little more daunting. He may end up losing to Lamar yet again, much like he did last year when the two exchanged diss tracks and “Not Like Us” became the undisputed winner. That song didn’t just dominate the battle, it ruled the Hot 100 for several weeks and went on to win the Grammys for both Record and Song of the Year. Now, Lamar is on top again, and Drake may be blocked from another moment in the spotlight for good.