The Billboard Hot 100 operates at breakneck speed, but a select few rappers have managed to treat the chart like their personal stomping ground, week after week, year after year.
Leading the charge is Drake’s historic marathon on the charts, though he’s joined by heavyweights like Ye, Future, Lil Wayne, and Nicki Minaj, all proving their staying power through a blend of consistency, versatility, and cultural impact.
These aren’t just chart-toppers — they’re chart residents. From revolutionary anthems to club bangers, here’s a breakdown of the rappers who’ve left an indelible mark on the Billboard tally.
1. Drake: 3388 Total Weeks
Drake’s chart presence is less of a sprint and more of a permanent residency. Known for turning singles into epic sagas, his Hot 100 dominance is bolstered by tracks that refuse to bow out quietly.
Whether he’s making headlines with creative risks like sampling Kim Kardashian or livestreaming his latest ventures, he’s transformed chart success into an art form. With more appearances than most could ever aspire to, Drake has truly redefined how a single artist can maintain momentum in music history.
2. Lil Wayne: 1990 Total Weeks
Few artists have reinvented themselves more successfully than Lil Wayne. From his beginnings as a teenage phenom to an Auto-Tune pioneer and Grammy-decorated hitmaker, his chart tenure reflects his genre-defying approach.
Tackling everything from ringtone-era knockouts to workout anthems, Lil Wayne has proven he’s more than capable of holding his own. His signature remixes and memorable hooks have lent his hits longevity that others can only dream of.
3. Nicki Minaj: 1579 Total Weeks
Nicki Minaj didn’t just climb her way onto the Hot 100—she stamped her identity all over it. Whether she’s firing bars in full Chun-Li mode or delivering glitter-dusted pop hits about starships, she blends theatrics with raw lyricism like no other.
Charting across decades, her unmatched charisma and creativity make her one of rap’s reigning icons.
4. Jay-Z: 1290 Total Weeks
At this point in Jay-Z’s career, Billboard hits seem like just one among many flexes. Married to Beyoncé, building empires in business, and crafting culture-shifting tracks for over two decades, his chart success feels more like icing on an already extravagant cake.
Despite retirement teases with each new record, his contributions to the Hot 100 remain highly impactful and undeniably timeless.
5. Future: 1274 Total Weeks
Future‘s music epitomizes emotional complexity wrapped in hard delivery. Whether channeling raw vulnerability with HNDRXX or embracing unapologetic swagger, he’s mastered balancing heartfelt storytelling with gritty trap beats.
Tracks like “My Collection” showcase his ability to blur the lines between introspection and chaos, solidifying his role as rap’s philosophical yet controversial figure. Love him or hate him, Future’s consistency ensures he’ll be around no matter the mood of the charts.
6. Ye: 1235 Total Weeks
Regardless of public opinion surrounding him, Ye’s influence on rap is undeniable. His early albums didn’t just climb the charts—they reinvented them altogether.
Introducing innovations like soulful samples and orchestral productions alongside introspective lyricism, he shifted the landscape of mainstream music. With every reinvention of himself, Ye brought hip-hop into new territory, ensuring his place among its most enduring figures.
7. Lil Baby: 958 Total Weeks
Lil Baby burst onto the scene not as an underdog but more like a force to be reckoned with. His ability to seamlessly switch between heartfelt protest anthems and infectious club tracks has made him one of rap’s most consistent hitmakers.
Combining sharp instincts with tireless effort and undeniable charisma, his presence on the Hot 100 feels less like beginner’s luck and more like pure talent paving the way forward.
