Nobody has missed the fact that Kanye West had quite an eventful year. Well, eventful, but not necessarily successful. While the ‘Donda’ rapper managed to keep rocking the headlines across tabloids in 2023, it was seldom for good reasons. From controversies in Italy where he almost got arrested to continuing trends of anti-Semitic remarks in the ‘Vultures’ album, the 46-year-old did little to redeem his already declining reputation this year. Now, it seems like the consequences are certainly catching up with him. 

Once lauded as the top position holder of the Billboard Hot 100 chart, Ye’s glory is fading to make space for other artists. 

Kanye West slips to No. 6 on Billboard Hot 100 title holders

The indisputable king of the Billboard Hot 100 list, West failed to land any tracks on the prestigious list in 2023. Well, since he failed to timely launch his ‘Vultures’ album, the rapper had no score that could be even considered for this category this year. Simultaneously, he has fallen behind on the list of artists with the most tracks in this chart.

When West released ‘The College Dropout’ in 2004, his unique tunes landed his album in the second position on the Billboard Hot 200 with his debut. From there on, the Chicago-based rapper would only climb further up as each year he would have a record-making number of singles land in the Billboard Hot 100, except for this year. 

Even more awkward than his loss is the fact that the man who replaced him is his on-off rival.

Drake replaces Kanye West as No. 1

As 2023 culminates, Drake has emerged with the highest number of Billboard Hot 100 hits so far. In the 65 years that this category has existed, the Canadian rapper has racked up 328 wins by landing in Billboard’s historic chart. Meanwhile, West trails behind with a measly 141 in comparison. 

It is certainly ironic that Ye is trailing far behind the man whom he claimed to be superior to at rapping. Only five years after making his debut in the industry, he had already bagged 100 tracks on the list. Even with nineteen Grammys less than West, Drake seems to have clutched the title effortlessly this year. 

After re-releases, Taylor Swift clutches the second spot

In the second position behind Drake is none other than Time’s Person of The Year for 2023, Taylor Swift. Well, nobody can dispute that the ‘Style’ singer made history this year by re-releasing four of her past albums. With 232 Hot 100 hits to her name, Swift is also dominating the Billboards’ inventory, it seems. 

As she clutches the second-highest spot on the chart, it seems like Joe Rogan’s comments on West’s blunder of messing with her are ringing all the more true. Anybody who follows pop culture knows the many successes the queen of pop achieved this year, including this one. 

With only 25 singles less than Swift, this group is not far behind either. 

The cast of Glee lands at No. 3

With a headlining cast of Lea Michele, Kurt Hummel, and Broadway stars like Idina Menzel and Jonathan Groff, the Glee series rose to fame with its focus on the art of music making, especially through vocals. Well, this ensemble has landed 207 tracks from the Fox series in the Hot 100s chart, making them place third in the list.

Not originals, but masterful covers of originals by artists like Lady Gaga and Katy Perry are what made this victory possible for this group. With each season, they produced songs that won over the hearts of millions, deserving this title as much as any other artist. 

Kanye West’s No. 1 rapper, Lil Wayne places fourth

The man who dominated the rap game for most of the 2000s and 2010s, Lil Wayne still places in the top 5 of this illustrious list with 186 Billboard’s Hot 100 tracks to his name. After Ye called him the GOAT a decade ago, his continuing impact on the realm of hip-hop is evident from this feat.

Well, the Young Money records pioneer even made a comeback of sorts in 2023 by collaborating with 2 Chainz on ‘Welcome 2 Collegrove’.  The 41-year-old from New Orleans has spent 24 years in the industry belting out hits after hits. 

Following behind him is another classic rap artist. 

Future bags No. 5 spot

One of the biggest names in the mumble-rap subgenre of hip-hop, Future is most known for his unique sounds that have taken over the world in recent years. With only 18 singles less than Wayne, the rapper from Georgia slides into number 5 on the chart. 

His 2017 track, ‘Mask Off’, made a major comeback this year through social media trends. The two-time Grammy winner stays at the top of the game with his prolific vocals mixed with auto-tuned melodies to this day. 

Nicki Minaj represents female rappers at No. 6

In 6th place with 146 Hot 100 singles in the bag, Nicki Minaj needs no introduction. After decades of dominating the world of female rappers, the 41-year-old’s ‘Barbie World’ soundtrack from the blockbuster hit, Barbie was heard everywhere in 2023. 

After calling out Kanye West for using her vocals at the ‘Vultures’ rave party without permission, the 41-year-old legend has cemented her spot in the chart in exactly one place above Kanye West. The ‘Graduation’ rapper will have to wait until next year to reclaim his top spot, it seems. 

Do you think West may make a comeback to this list in 2023? Share your thoughts in the comments.