Billboard is the go-to platform when it comes to seeking chart success. Artists fight for the No. 1 spot on the outlet’s various charts and there have been some controversial moments over the years that made the public question the validity of
Billboard‘s chart process.
Black music, more specifically Hip Hop, has been underrepresented on
Billboard’s charts. Black music has gone through a variation of names and artists like LL Cool J, Salt-N-Pepa, DMX, and Wu-Tang Clan were considered R&B acts by
Billboard’s standards. As Hip Hop grew in popularity, it lapped other genres like rock and pop, but just wouldn’t be recognized by any of the major platforms.