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DJ Whoo Kid Links Hip-Hop’s Chart Dip to Drake’s Lull Ahead of ‘Iceman

His remarks raise the stakes for Drake’s May 15 album as a test of whether one release can boost the genre’s mainstream reach.

Overview

  • In an interview on the Diverse Mentality podcast, DJ Whoo Kid said hip-hop’s recent commercial softness stems from fewer releases by Drake.
  • He characterized Kendrick Lamar’s surge as a brief “moment,” citing the run sparked by “Not Like Us” and a Super Bowl halftime performance.
  • Industry coverage has noted a recent stretch with fewer rap tracks high on the Billboard Hot 100, including a period when Drake’s “What Did I Miss” was the only hip-hop entry.
  • Drake’s ninth studio album, Iceman, is scheduled for May 15, and outlets frame it as a potential catalyst for stronger crossover chart performance.
  • The Source reported that hip-hop still makes up about 25% of U.S. music consumption, highlighting that Whoo Kid’s view is commentary rather than proven cause.