Eight months of the year have passed and still no rap song has hit #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 for 2023 thus far. Thís goes for both males and females.
But Doja Cat's catchy song "Paint the Town Red" just might be the first to do it.

The song has climbed the charts since its release on August 4.It debuted at #15 on the Hot 100 and climbed to #5 in its third week.
It is now battling for the #1 spot in its fourth week on the charts.

If "Paint the Town Red" does reach the summit, it will mark Doja Cat's second #1 hit and is her eighth top ten hit overall. While fellow rapper Latto secured a #1 through her collaboration with BTS' Jungkook on the song "Seven," it's important to note that "Seven" was a rap verse on a pop song, not a standalone rap track.

Doja Cat would have the first rap song, male or female, to achieve a #1 song in 2023. despite attempts by Ice Spice, Nicki Minaj and others.
The battle is tight however as Paint the Town Red is in a close race with five other songs for the coveted #1.

I Remember Everything by John Prine, Fast Car by Luke Combs, Cruel Summer by Taylor Swift, Last Night by Morgan Wallen and Rich Men North of Richmond by Oliver Anthony are all contending for the #1 spot with just a point or two predicted to separate the winner from the runner up.

Should Doja Cat emerge victorious, she would break the prevailing country music streak that has dominated the top of the charts in 2023. What sets her potential victory apart is the organic journey "Paint the Town Red" has taken, propelled by genuine public support and enjoyment of the song.

She did not rely on the new gimmick of releasing multiple remixes with sped up, slowed down and extended versions to boost her numbers.
This seems to be the new route for artistes trying to inflate their sales and streams to get a high chart placement.
So, it is refreshing to see when a song organically climbs to #1 based off pure public support and enjoyment of the song.

Despite her many controversies ranging from her cursing out her fans, her questionable dating choices and her demonic visuals, it seems Doja Cat is still in demand and still a force to be reckoned with in the rap industry.