Kendrick Lamar has made significant waves on the Billboard charts this week, making history by occupying the top five spots of the Billboard Hot 100 with tracks from his surprise album “GNX.” This remarkable feat ties him with notable musical giants such as Drake, Taylor Swift, and The Beatles, positioning him among only a select few artists to achieve such a milestone. The debut of Lamar’s new single “Squabble Up” at the pinnacle of the chart solidifies his dominance. Additionally, other tracks from “GNX” follow closely, landing at the second, third, fourth, and fifth positions, with more songs from the album also reaching numbers eight and nine.
In achieving this, Lamar has become the artist with the most number-one hits on the Hot 100 in 2024, marking three No. 1 singles for the year. Besides “Squabble Up,” he also claimed the chart with “Not Like Us,” a diss track directed at Drake that has garnered significant attention and five Grammy nominations. His earlier collaboration with Future and Metro Boomin, “Like That,” also contributed to his tally for the year. This year has been particularly fruitful for Lamar amid a highly publicized feud with Drake, which many media outlets and fans assert he has won.
The release of “GNX” on November 22 came without any advance notice, a strategic decision that adds to Lamar’s impactful return to the music scene. The album debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 albums chart, selling 319,000 units through a combination of sales and streaming. The surprise nature of the album, combined with its pointed references to his ongoing feud with Drake, has kept Lamar in the spotlight and established his new work as a key element of his narrative this year.
In the tracks of “GNX,” Lamar subtly touches upon the tensions with Drake. For instance, the opening track “wacced out murals” includes lyrical nods that reference a diss track shared by Snoop Dogg, which was directed at him. Furthermore, “heart pt. 6,” a continuation of Lamar’s introspective “heart” series, bears a title that mirrors a diss Drake previously released aimed at him. The competitive undercurrents were further intensified when Drake’s company filed legal complaints against Universal Music Group, claiming that the label permitted Lamar to release “Not Like Us,” which allegedly contains false statements about Drake. Such accusations have been firmly denied by Universal Music Group, escalating the existing tensions surrounding their competitive dynamic.
Lamar’s impactful return has also notably affected the charts, particularly hindering Shaboozey from breaking the record for the longest run at No. 1 on the Hot 100. Shaboozey’s track “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” had achieved a remarkable 19-week reign, traditionally setting it alongside Lil Nas X’s “Old Town Road.” This week, however, it slid to No. 6, placing it below Lamar’s powerful collection of hits. This reshuffling of the charts underscores not only Lamar’s popularity but also the strategic timing of his album release, which has shifted the musical narrative in the current moment.
Adding to the festive atmosphere, Mariah Carey’s iconic holiday anthem “All I Want For Christmas Is You” returns to chart prominence at No. 10 this week—marking the seasonal classic’s first appearance in the top tier for the current holiday season. Historically, December sees an influx of holiday songs dominating the Hot 100. However, Kendrick Lamar’s astonishing chart performance might have delayed the usual onslaught of seasonal tracks inching up the ranks, further showcasing the cultural and commercial impact of his latest work during this time of year. Overall, these developments highlight Lamar’s enduring significance in the music industry and his ability to wield influence over the charts amidst the competitive landscape.
