Black Women Shape Pop, but Rarely Lead the Charts, Critic Argues

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  A Billboard critic argues that Black women have helped shape pop music but are rarely at the forefront of today’s charts.

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  The article says the Hot 100 and pop radio have favored singer-songwriters and country stars, while Black women’s visibility has declined.

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  It points to Cardi B, Megan Thee Stallion, Doja Cat and Nicki Minaj as rap artists who topped the Hot 100 earlier this decade.

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  The critic argues that pop loses some of its swag and soul when Black women are absent from the genre’s leading ranks.

Who

Black women artists and the wider pop music industry.

What

A Billboard critic argues that Black women shape pop but are rarely leading the charts.

When

The article was published on October 12, 2026. It discusses trends across the early 2020s and recent years.

Where

The United States’ pop charts and radio, including the Billboard Hot 100.

Why

The critic says pop trends have shifted toward cleaner, guitar-driven music and country, while Black women have been pushed out of the genre’s forefront.

This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.