TOP 10 HIP HOP AND R&B SONGS OF 2025

This year had some heavy hitters on the Hip Hop and R&B charts. Let's see who leads the charge.

New York, December 31, 2026, Kim Dynasty

Kendrick’s GNX project kept shining on the charts all through 2025. After dropping it unexpectedly in late 2024, GNX stayed at No. 1 on the rap charts for weeks and even took home Album of the Year at the 2025 BET Awards — a huge win and a badge of honor. Tracks like “Luther” (featuring SZA) became go-to songs on playlists all year long, holding top spots on R&B and Hip-Hop charts and showing Kendrick’s knack for mixing sharp lyrics with mainstream vibes. His popularity was also clear in online searches — he was the second most Googled person worldwide in 2025, along with lots of awards and nominations in big-name award shows. Touring with SZA on the “Grand National Tour,” hitting stadiums and cultural landmarks, helped him connect hip-hop and R&B even more and bring in new fans.

TOP 10 HIP HOP & R&B SONGS of 2025

1. “Luther” — Kendrick Lamar & SZA

   — #1 on year-end Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs with record-breaking longevity.

   
   

2. “TV Off” — Kendrick Lamar ft. Lefty Gunplay

   — Major charting single across rap charts.

   
   

3. “30 for 30” — SZA & Kendrick Lamar

   — Hit collaboration blending R&B and hip-hop.

   
   

4. “Mutt” — Leon Thomas

   — Breakout R&B hip-hop hybrid tune with strong presence in year-end lists.

   
   

5. “Timeless” — The Weeknd & Playboi Carti

   — R&B/rap crossover hit with radio and streaming traction.

   
   

6. “Burning Blue” — Mariah the Scientist

   — R&B favorite with steady charting.

   
   

7. “Heart of a Woman” — Summer Walker

   — Lead single from her 2025 album resonated across R&B playlists.

   
   

8. “Not Like Us” — Kendrick Lamar

   — High-impact rap single noted on year-end charts.

   
   

9. “Squabble Up” — Kendrick Lamar (additional chart hit)

   — Another charting single from GNX.

   
   

10. “Whatchu Kno About Me” — GloRilla & Sexyy Red

    — Popular club and airplay rap track in the year-end mix.

Kendrick’s staying power comes from a few core artistic drivers:

• Storytelling: He’s always taken rap beyond just catchy hooks, focusing on stories with social meaning that connect deeply with fans.

• Reinventing himself: Kendrick keeps changing his sound and ideas, never sticking to one formula — each project feels like a new chapter in his artistic journey.

• Competitive spirit: His involvement in major cultural moments — including intense lyrical battles with other artists — kept fans engaged and sparked lots of lively debates.

In 2025, Kendrick was named Billboard’s Top R&B/Hip-Hop Artist of the Year, a clear sign of his success across both albums and singles, confirming his position as a hip-hop leader. He often had multiple songs in the Top 10 of the R&B and Hip-Hop charts at the same time — something few artists achieve.

He’s still regarded as one of the most respected lyricists and storytellers out there. While fans debate who’s most influential versus who’s the most commercially successful, most critics agree Kendrick belongs among the genre’s best. His consistency, depth, and willingness to take creative risks keep him in the conversation as an all-time great. His song “Not Like Us” even won Record of the Year and Song of the Year at the 67th Grammy Awards.