With ‘Luther’ & More, Kendrick Lamar Is Making History on Billboard’s Airplay Charts

Kendrick Lamar continues a historic campaign on Billboard’s Rhythmic Airplay chart as his single “Luther,” with SZA, ascends to the No. 1 spot on the list dated March 1. The track replaces the rapper’s own “TV Off,” featuring Lefty Gunplay, after its three-week reign. As another SZA collaboration, “30 for 30,” pushes 2-3 and his former leader “Squabble Up,” repeats at No. 4, the quartet gives Lamar a second straight week of dominating the chart’s top four spots.

With his performance on Rhythmic Airplay, Lamar is just the second artist to simultaneously occupy the top four ranks on any Billboard airplay chart. He joins his rival Drake, who managed the feat for 11 separate weeks on the Rap Airplay survey, for seven frames in March-April 2013 and four in May-June 2018. As Drake’s runs all involved at least one song where he was in a featured role on a track by another lead artist, Lamar is the first artist to complete the achievement in all lead or co-lead capacities.

“Luther,” which concurrently rises to No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, captures the Rhythmic Airplay crown as the most-played song on U.S. panel-contributing radio stations in the week of Feb. 14-20, according to Luminate, a 5% gain from the previous week.

“Luther” gives Lamar his ninth No. 1 on Rhythmic Airplay. A full third have come in 2025 alone, with “Squabble Up” reigning for two weeks in January and “TV Off” leading the ratings for three weeks in February.

Here’s a review of the rapper’s entire chart-topping collection on the radio chart:

“Humble.,” three weeks at No. 1, beginning June 6, 2017
“Loyalty.,” feat. Rihanna; one, Sept. 30, 2017
“Love.,” feat. Zacari; one, Dec. 30, 2017
“Pray for Me,” with The Weeknd; two, April 18, 2018
“Like That,” with Future and Metro Boomin; four, May 18, 2024
“Not Like Us,” 12, June 15, 2024
“Squabble Up,” two, Jan. 18, 2025
“TV Off,” feat. Lefty Gunplay; three, Feb. 8, 2025
“Luther,” with SZA, one (to date), March 1, 2025

For SZA, “Luther” adds a seventh Rhythmic Airplay No. 1 to her account and first since “Saturn” landed at the top last May. Here’s a recap of her leaders:

“Kiss Me More,” Doja Cat feat. SZA; two weeks at No. 1, beginning June 26, 2021
“I Hate U,” one, March 19, 2022
“Kill Bill,” three, March 4, 2023
“Snooze,” two, July 15, 2023
“Rich Baby Daddy,” Drake feat. Sexyy Red & SZA; two, Dec. 2, 2023
“Saturn,” one, May 11, 2024
“Luther,” with Kendrick Lamar; one (to date), March 1, 2025

Lamar and SZA are in prime position to improve to a 10th and eighth champ, respectively, and replace themselves at the summit. Their other current collaborative single, “30 for 30” (billed to SZA with Kendrick Lamar), advances to the runner-up spot with a 14% surge in weekly plays.

Beyond the top tracks, both Lamar and SZA cement their stranglehold with more titles on Rhythmic Airplay. SZA’s third tune in the top 10, “BMF,” pushes 12-10 (up 9% in plays), while Lamar has a fifth, the AzChike-assisted “Peekaboo,” which debuts at No. 37.

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