From his early mixtapes to dominating the Billboard charts, Kendrick Lamar has solidified his place as a leading voice in modern music. Emerging from Compton, California, Lamar’s journey is marked by both critical acclaim and commercial success, leading many to consider him among the greatest rappers of all time. His impact on the Billboard Hot 100 chart is undeniable, with a string of hits that showcase his evolution and musical prowess.
Lamar’s initial foray into the Billboard charts began with his Overly Dedicated mixtape, which entered the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart in 2010. His debut album, Section.80, followed in 2011, marking his first appearance on the Billboard 200. However, it was the release of good kid, m.A.A.d city in 2012 that truly launched him into mainstream success. This album not only reached No. 2 on the Billboard 200 but also spawned multiple top 40 hits, including “Swimming Pools (Drank),” “Bitch Don’t Kill My Vibe,” and “Poetic Justice” featuring Drake. The critical acclaim for good kid, m.A.A.d city was immense, earning it multiple Grammy nominations and cementing Lamar’s position as a major force in hip-hop.
Since then, every Kendrick Lamar album release has become a cultural event. From To Pimp a Butterfly in 2015 to DAMN. in 2017, Mr. Morale & The Good Steppers in 2022, and most recently GNX in 2024, each studio album has debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200. This consistent chart-topping performance extends to his demo collection Untitled Unmastered and his curated Black Panther soundtrack, further highlighting his artistic breadth and commercial appeal.
While album success came early, Lamar’s singles gradually climbed to the top of the Hot 100. He first reached No. 1 as a featured artist on Taylor Swift’s “Bad Blood” in 2015. His own chart-topping journey as a lead artist began with “Humble.” in 2017. Following “Humble.”, he consistently delivered more top 10 hits, including “DNA.” and “N95,” and collaborated on successful tracks with artists like Maroon 5, The Weeknd, and SZA.
The year 2024 marked a new peak in Lamar’s chart dominance, fueled by a high-profile feud with Drake. His feature on Future and Metro Boomin’s “Like That” sparked the feud and debuted at No. 1 on the Hot 100. The subsequent diss tracks, particularly “Not Like Us,” further solidified his position, earning him another No. 1 single. The release of his album GNX in November 2024 saw unprecedented success, with “Squabble Up” becoming his third No. 1 hit of the year. Notably, tracks from GNX occupied the entire top five of the Hot 100 in its debut week, placing Lamar among a select group of artists, including The Beatles, Drake, and Taylor Swift, to achieve this feat.
Continuing his winning streak into 2025, Lamar garnered five Grammy Awards, including the prestigious record of the year and song of the year for “Not Like Us.” Looking ahead, he is set to headline the Super Bowl LIX halftime show in New Orleans, further cementing his status as a global superstar.
As Kendrick Lamar prepares to take the stage at the Super Bowl, let’s delve into 20 of his biggest songs on the Billboard Hot 100. This ranking reflects his journey from underground artist to a defining voice of his generation, showcasing a range of hits from early career tracks to chart-topping anthems.
This ranking of Kendrick Lamar’s biggest Billboard Hot 100 hits is based on weekly performance on the Hot 100 chart from its inception on August 4, 1958, through February 8, 2025. Songs are ranked using an inverse point system, awarding more points for weeks spent at No. 1 and progressively fewer points for lower chart positions. Chart methodology changes over the years are factored in to ensure fair representation across different eras.
-
Bitch, Don’t Kill My Vibe
- Peak Position: No. 32
- Peak Date: June 1, 2023
-
King’s Dead (with Jay Rock, Future and James Blake)
- Peak Position: No. 21
- Peak Date: March 24, 2018
-
Poetic Justice (featuring Drake)
- Peak Position: No. 26
- Peak Date: March 16, 2013
-
Euphoria
- Peak Position: No. 3
- Peak Date: May 18, 2024
-
Loyalty. (featuring Rihanna)
- Peak Position: No. 14
- Peak Date: May 6, 2017
-
Squabble Up
- Peak Position: No. 1 (one week)
- Peak Date: Dec. 7, 2024
-
TV Off
- Peak Position: No. 2
- Peak Date: Dec. 7, 2024
-
The Greatest (Sia featuring Kendrick Lamar)
- Peak Position: No. 18
- Peak Date: Dec. 10, 2016
-
DNA.
- Peak Position: No. 4
- Peak Date: May 6, 2017
-
Swimming Pools (Drank)
- Peak Position: No. 17
- Peak Date: Dec. 15, 2012
-
All the Stars (with SZA)
- Peak Position: No. 7
- Peak Date: March 3, 2018
-
Love. (featuring Zacari)
- Peak Position: No. 11
- Peak Date: Jan. 6, 2018
-
Luther (with SZA)
- Peak Position: No. 3
- Peak Date: Dec. 7, 2024
-
F**kin Problems (A$AP Rocky featuring Drake, 2 Chainz & Kendrick Lamar)
- Peak Position: No. 8
- Peak Date: Feb. 16, 2013
-
Pray for Me (with The Weeknd)
- Peak Position: No. 7
- Peak Date: Feb. 17, 2018
-
Like That (with Future & Metro Boomin)
- Peak Position: No. 1 (three weeks)
- Peak Date: April 6, 2024
-
Don’t Wanna Know (Maroon 5 featuring Kendrick Lamar)
- Peak Position: No. 6
- Peak Date: Feb. 18, 2017
-
Bad Blood (Taylor Swift featuring Kendrick Lamar)
- Peak Position: No. 1 (one week)
- Peak Date: June 6, 2015
-
Humble.
- Peak Position: No. 1 (one week)
- Peak Date: May 6, 2017
-
Not Like Us
- Peak Position: No. 1 (two weeks)
- Peak Date: May 18, 2024
