Kendrick Lamar’s sixth studio album, GNX, is making waves on the charts, with four tracks landing on the US Top Songs list. Leading the charge is “tv off” featuring Lefty GunPlay at #5, while “squabble up” follows at #13. The SZA collaboration “luther” holds strong at #29, and “wacced out murals” rounds out the entries at #68.
Adding to his success, Lamar’s fiery diss track “Not Like Us,” stemming from his lyrical battle with Drake, secures the #6 spot. His ability to blend sharp lyricism with compelling narratives continues to resonate with listeners.
Last week, twelve tracks from Lana, the deluxe edition of SZA’s SOS album, have surged onto Billboard’s Hot R&B Songs chart, with “30 for 30,” her collaboration with Kendrick Lamar, debuting at No. 1. The song amassed 17.5 million official U.S. streams, an airplay audience of 385,000, and 2,000 digital song downloads during the tracking week of December 20–26, according to Luminate.
This marks SZA’s seventh chart-topping hit on the Hot R&B Songs chart, breaking a tie with Rihanna for the most No. 1s by a woman since the chart’s inception in October 2012. The record-setting achievement underscores SZA’s continued dominance in the R&B genre and her ability to captivate audiences with her poignant storytelling and emotive delivery.
Twelve tracks from Lana, the deluxe edition of SZA’s SOS album, have surged onto Billboard’s Hot R&B Songs chart, with “30 for 30,” her collaboration with Kendrick Lamar, debuting at No. 1. The song amassed 17.5 million official U.S. streams, an airplay audience of 385,000, and 2,000 digital song downloads during the tracking week of December 20–26, according to Luminate.
This marks SZA’s seventh chart-topping hit on the Hot R&B Songs chart, breaking a tie with Rihanna for the most No. 1s by a woman since the chart’s inception in October 2012. The record-setting achievement underscores SZA’s continued dominance in the R&B genre and her ability to captivate audiences with her poignant storytelling and emotive delivery.
Reflecting on 2024, five artists stood above the rest, reshaping the landscape of hip-hop with their creativity, chart-topping hits, and cultural impact. Here’s The Source’s top rappers of 2024 and what they accomplished.
1. Kendrick Lamar
Kendrick Lamar cemented his legacy in 2024 with the surprise release of his sixth studio album, GNX, which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 and dominated the charts like no other. Seven of the album’s tracks, including “Squabble Up” and “TV Off” featuring Lefty GunPlay, secured spots in the Hot 100’s top ten, an unprecedented feat. Notably, “Not Like Us,” fueled by a lyrical battle with Drake, became the most-streamed global song of the year, marking Lamar’s first-ever No. 1 on the annual streaming chart.
GNX was not only a commercial triumph but also critically acclaimed, leading to Kendrick’s nominations for multiple 2025 Grammy Awards. As if that weren’t enough, Lamar was confirmed as the headliner for the 2025 Super Bowl Halftime Show, a nod to his undeniable star power. The rapper also announced the Grand National Tour with SZA, set for 2025, promising fans another unforgettable chapter in his illustrious career.
2. Future
Future made history this year by dropping We Don’t Trust You, We Still Don’t Trust You, and MIXTAPE PLUTO, three chart-topping albums in just six months. This incredible run made Future the first hip-hop artist since The Beatles in the mid-1960s to achieve such a feat. Each project debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200, with MIXTAPE PLUTO securing additional milestones by landing all 17 tracks on the Hot 100.
Both We Don’t Trust You and We Still Don’t Trust You featured anthems that resonated deeply with fans, showcasing Future’s signature blend of introspection and hedonism. These albums further solidified his reputation as one of rap’s most consistent hitmakers. Beyond the charts, Future continued to push boundaries, leaving an indelible mark on the genre with his record-breaking achievements.
3. GloRilla
GloRilla had a breakout year that placed her firmly among hip-hop’s elite. Her debut album, Glorious, featuring collaborations with Megan Thee Stallion, Latto, and T-Pain, debuted at No. 5 on the Billboard 200, marking her first top-10 entry. The project included viral hits like “I LUV HER” featuring T-Pain and “WHATCHU KNO ABOUT ME” featuring Sexyy Red, both of which exploded on TikTok and inspired countless trends.
As Billboard’s Top Female Rapper of 2024, GloRilla demonstrated her ability to blend Memphis grit with mainstream appeal, captivating audiences with her authenticity and electrifying stage presence. Her rise was further amplified by high-profile collaborations and her knack for creating music that resonated across generations.
4. Tyler, the Creator
Tyler, the Creator continued his streak of artistic excellence with the release of CHROMAKOPIA, an album that debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 with 299,500 equivalent album units in its first four days. The project showcased Tyler’s unique ability to craft experimental yet accessible music, with standout tracks like “ST. CHROMA” and “THOUGHT I WAS DEAD” earning spots on the US Top Songs chart.
What made Tyler’s achievement even more impressive was the album’s rapid rollout—he announced and released CHROMAKOPIA within two weeks, receiving widespread critical acclaim. The album’s success, coupled with the viral resurgence of his 2017 hit “See You Again” on social media, demonstrated Tyler’s enduring influence and versatility as an artist.
5. Megan Thee Stallion
Megan Thee Stallion reminded everyone why she’s a powerhouse in 2024. Her deluxe album, MEGAN: ACT II, introduced fans to new collaborations with artists like TWICE and RM of BTS, alongside her first rock track with Spiritbox. The album debuted at No. 3 on the Billboard 200, becoming the year’s highest-charting rap album by a woman.
Megan also made waves with her philanthropy, receiving the genLOVE Award for Outstanding Philanthropy at the Golden Heart Awards, and her “Hot Girl History” moment as the host of the 2024 MTV VMAs. On the viral side, her collaboration with Japanese rapper Yuki Chiba on “Mamushi” dominated social media, while her new documentary offered fans a glimpse into her journey through fame and personal challenges.
Will Drake and Rick Ross be friends again? Who knows. But their beef may make for some funny moments. Drake was on a live stream with Adin Ross when he read a letter addressed to both, but one called Adin the “Healthy Ross.”
But it was also a note for Kendrick Lamar in the letter. You can see them both below.
Those Kendrick Lamar bars are burned into Drake’s head. While on stream with Adin Ross for Drizzmas, the Boy quotes “Euphoria” to shout out Sexyy Redd.
When asked about Sexyy Redd, Drake says, “Shout out Sexyy; when I see her, I see two bad ones.”
You can see the moment below.
Drake quotes Kendrick while talking about his real friendship with Sexyy Redd
Kendrick Lamar has respect for the legends, especially those from the West. On the opening track of his new album, GNX, “wacced out murals,” Lamar revealed his reaction to Snoop Dogg reposting Drake’s “Taylor Made Freestyle” diss toward him:
“Snoop posted ‘Taylor Made’, I prayed it was the edibles It was only right for me to let it go”
Snoop heard the bar and spoke about it with Bootleg Kev.
“That’s my nephew, he’s a rapper man he’s supposed to speak his mind and tell his truth,” said Snoop. “That’s the way he felt and he has the right to say that. I’m his big homeboy so I have to take what’s given to me from his perspective because he’s speaking truth. And the truth shouldn’t hurt you, it should make you better.”
You can hear the full explanation from Snoop Dogg below.
Back in the beef days, Drake received a cease-and-desist and had to remove the “Taylor Made Freestyle” from online. Originally posted on Instagram, the single used an AI-generated Tupac voice to provoke Lamar.
According to Billboard, the estate threatened to sue and stated the voice was “a flagrant violation” and “blatant use” of Pac’s legacy.
The message was delivered via a cease-and-desist letter filed by Howard King, requesting Drake pull the song within 24 hours or face all of the estate’s “legal remedies.”
“The Estate is deeply dismayed and disappointed by your unauthorized use of Tupac’s voice and personality,” King wrote in the letter. “Not only is the record a flagrant violation of Tupac’s publicity and the estate’s legal rights, it is also a blatant abuse of the legacy of one of the greatest hip-hop artists of all time. The Estate would never have given its approval for this use.”
Additionally, the letter reads, “The unauthorized, equally dismaying use of Tupac’s voice against Kendrick Lamar, a good friend to the Estate who has given nothing but respect to Tupac and his legacy publicly and privately, compounds the insult.”
Last Friday (April 19) on Instagram, Drake dropped off the “Taylor Made Freestyle.”
Upon pressing play, you will hear something you wouldn’t expect: Tupac’s voice. The single opens with an AI Tupac verse requesting KDot stand up for the West Coast. It is followed by an AI Snoop Dogg asking for the same.
AI Tupac raps: Fuck this Canadian lightskin, Dot We need an undebated West Coast victory, man Call him a bitch for me Talk about him liking young girls, that’s a gift from me Heard it on the Budden Podcast, it’s gotta be true They told me the spirit of Makaveli is alive In the nigga under five-foot five, so it’s gotta be you
AI Snoop added: ‘Cause right now it’s looking like you writing out the game plan on how to lose How to bark up the wrong tree and then get your head popped in a crowded room World is watching this chess game, but are you out of moves?
After that, Drake pops in for his own slick talk: The first one really only took me an hour or two The next one is really ’bout to bring out the coward in you But now we gotta wait a fucking week ’cause Taylor Swift is your new Top And if you ’bout to drop, she gotta approve
Since “Like That,” your tone changed a little, you not as enthused How are you not in the booth? It feel like you kinda removed You tryna let this shit die down, nah, nah, nah Not this time, nigga, you followin’ through
He ends the song with a message, “I know you’re in that NY apartment, you struggling right now I know it.”
Kendrick Lamar’s sixth studio album, GNX, is making waves on the charts, with ten tracks landing on the US Top Songs. Leading the charge is the video-assisted “squabble up,” which secures the #2 spot, followed by “tv off” featuring Lefty GunPlay at #4 and the SZA-assisted “luther” at #15.
Lamar also scores another hit with “Not Like Us,” a track fueled by his lyrical battle with Drake, which claims #9. The rapper continues his dominance, holding the #1 spot on US Top Artists. GNX‘s chart success further solidifies Kendrick Lamar’s position at the forefront of contemporary hip-hop.
Pusha T knows a bit about beefing with Drake. Speaking at Art Basel with Ari Melber, the Cokechella rapper revealed that he believes Kendrick Lamar stroked a chord in Drake’s soul.
“I think what Kendrick was doing was really talking to his soul,” King Push said. “I believe that would cause you to tap out. That would cause you to sue, that would cause you to do a lot of things. It’s crazy.”
Last month, Drake launched a second legal action against Universal Music Group (UMG), this time accusing the music giant of defamation and claiming it failed to halt the release of Kendrick Lamar’s track “Not Like Us,” which he alleges falsely accuses him of being a sex offender.
In the new filing, Drake’s legal team provides further details regarding his grievances with UMG, which is his record label for his entire career. According to the filing, UMG was aware that Lamar’s song contained accusations labeling Drake as a “certified pedophile” and “predator,” yet chose to release it anyway. “UMG could have refused to release or distribute the song or required the offending material to be edited and/or removed,” the document states. “But UMG chose to do the opposite, designing and financing a plan to turn ‘Not Like Us’ into a viral mega-hit, using the harm caused to Drake and his businesses to drive consumer hysteria and massive revenues.”
Like the filing in New York, the Texas petition is not a formal lawsuit but a pre-action filing intended to collect depositions from critical figures at UMG and iHeartRadio. The goal is to gather more evidence to support a defamation claim and potentially lead to additional allegations of civil fraud and racketeering.
Though Lamar is not named in the petition and is not accused of any legal wrongdoing, Drake’s legal team asserts that UMG knew the song, along with its album art and music video, would tarnish Drake’s reputation by falsely linking him to criminal sexual acts. The petition further accuses UMG of giving Lamar an unfair advantage in their competition, prioritizing one artist over another through illegal means.
J. Cole explored his relationship with Kendrick Lamar on the latest episode of the Inevitable podcast.
Cole and Ibrahim “Ib” Hamad revealed their reaction to Good Kid, M.A.A.D City after hearing singles before the release in a studio session.
“When Kendrick’s album dropped, the journey got harder, the mountain got steeper,” Cole said. “Because similar to when [So Far Gone] dropped, where it was like, ‘Oh sh—t, there’s another person out there that has the same ambitions as me,’ it happened like that with Kendrick.”
He added, “It was a feeling of surpassment. It was two indicators that told me. His first-week numbers were more than mine. The other thing was we had a show where we were both on the same lineup… and I went before him and he went after me.”
Cole would play two unreleased collaborations with Lamar, dropping off “Shock the World” and “Temptation,” which can be heard here.
Kendrick Lamar and SZA are joining forces for the highly anticipated Grand National Tour, set to take over 19 stadiums across North America in 2025. Presented by Live Nation, pgLang, and Top Dawg Entertainment, the tour showcases two of music’s biggest stars.
Fans can secure tickets early with the exclusive Cash App Visa Card presale, which begins Wednesday, December 4, at 10 a.m. local time and runs until Thursday, December 5, at 10 p.m. local time. Cardholders can unlock access by entering the first nine digits of their Cash App Card during the presale and completing their purchase with the same card.
In addition to early ticket access, Cash App Card users will enjoy a 20% instant discount on all official Grand National Tour merchandise purchased on-site during the tour. For more details on the presale, visit cash.app/exclusives/kendrickandsza.
General ticket sales for the Grand National Tour start on Friday, December 6, at 10 a.m. local time on grandnationaltour.com. Show dates are available below.
TOUR DATES:
Apr 19 – Minneapolis, MN – U.S. Bank Stadium
Apr 23 – Houston, TX – NRG Stadium
Apr 26 – Arlington, TX – AT&T Stadium
Apr 29 – Atlanta, GA – Mercedes Benz Stadium
May 03 – Charlotte, NC – Bank of America Stadium
May 05 – Philadelphia, PA – Lincoln Financial Field
