DC Studios co-CEO James Gunn is showing love to hip-hop.
director took to Threads this week to share his thoughts on the state of the genre. Despite rap’s recent chart struggles, Gunn argued that hip-hop is thriving creatively and may be in one of its strongest eras yet.
“For the first time in 35 years, there are no rap songs in the Top 40, which is crazy considering I think this might be the best year for hip-hop in years,” Gunn wrote. “Loving so much great stuff from @larussell, @open_mike_eagle, @ghaisguevaraobligatory, @aesoprockwins, Earl Sweatshirt, @abhithenomad & more!”
Gunn’s post arrives in the wake of Billboard’s October report noting that, for the first time since 1990, no rap songs appeared in the Top 40 of the Hot 100. The absence sparked conversations about the genre’s commercial downturn, but Gunn’s perspective highlighted hip-hop’s artistic renaissance outside of mainstream metrics.
Known for his sharp ear and eclectic soundtracks across films like Guardians of the Galaxy and The Suicide Squad, Gunn praised a lineup of independent and experimental rappers, from Bay Area standout LaRussell to underground heavyweights like Aesop Rock and Open Mike Eagle.
His comments struck a chord with fans in the comment section who see 2025 as a return to creativity and individuality in hip-hop, even if it’s not reflected on the charts. Legendary producer The Alchemist also weighed in on the conversation, offering his own take on rap’s rare absence from the charts. Like Gunn, Alchemist suggested the lull says more about mainstream trends than the genre’s creative health, reinforcing that hip-hop’s greatness isn’t measured by chart numbers.
“No rap in Top 40 has nothing to do with the music being bad or good,” he wrote on X.