Billboard has named Kendrick Lamar the 4th Greatest Pop Star of 2025, a title that might surprise some fans — but makes complete sense when you look at the year he had.
When most people think of Kendrick Lamar, they think hip-hop, not pop. But the reality is simple: pop is just popular music. And in 2025, Kendrick’s music was everywhere.
With songs like “Luther,” SZA’s “30 For 30,” “squabble up,” “TV off,” and more dominating timelines, playlists, and conversations, Kendrick had one of the most viral and culturally unavoidable years in recent memory. His releases weren’t just critically praised — they were consumed, shared, dissected, and quoted at an elite level.
What makes Kendrick’s placement especially interesting is that he didn’t chase pop trends. Instead, pop culture came to him. His lyricism, sharp production choices, and ability to tap into the cultural moment allowed his music to move beyond traditional hip-hop spaces and into mainstream dominance.
Billboard’s ranking reflects more than just chart positions — it highlights impact, visibility, and cultural relevance. By that measure, Kendrick earning a spot among the year’s biggest pop stars isn’t a genre stretch, it’s an acknowledgment of how powerful his presence was throughout 2025.
At the end of the day, Kendrick Lamar didn’t become “pop” by changing who he is. The culture simply followed him there.
Ileyah is a mom, a writer and a musician. She loves late nights and gluten free snacks.
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