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Hip Hop Music Production

10 Different Rap Styles Every Artist Should Know

man in a concert - Different Rap Styles
man in a concert - Different Rap Styles
man in a concert - Different Rap Styles

March 24th, 2025

Arib Khan

Rap styles are as varied and unique as the artists who create them. Just like a painter chooses from a palette of colors, rappers draw from various styles to express themselves. But if you're new to the game, this can be daunting.

You might wonder, What if I choose the wrong rap style for Hip-hop music production? How do I even start exploring all these options? This guide breaks down ten rap styles every artist should know so you can find the right one for you. And don't worry if you don't know all the words yet. We'll explain everything in simple terms. Whether you're looking for something fast and aggressive or slow and soulful, there's a rap style for you. And with the right tools, you can master them all. The AI voice generator from Musicfy is a great way to experiment with different styles and see which ones you like best.

If you can't wait to use Musicfy's Free AI Voice Generator, you can try out 1000+ celebrity voices, like:

You can use all of these voices and 1000+ more for free today on create.musicfy.lol!

Table Of Contents

What Is a Rap Style and Why Does It Matter?


person on stage - Different Rap Styles


Understanding Rap Styles: A Deep Dive


Have you ever wondered what makes one rap track hit different from another? It’s all about style. A rap style is the unique mix of flow, rhyme scheme, lyrical content, delivery, and beat selection that defines a rapper's performance. One artist might spit fast and choppy, while another glides smoothly over a melody. Rhyme schemes can range from complex multisyllabic patterns to simple end rhymes. Lyrics could cover anything from street life to social issues. Delivery varies from aggressive to laid-back, and the instrumental choice—drill, boom bap, or melodic trap—ties it all together. These elements create a unique sound and identity for rappers and subgenres alike.

Why Knowing Different Rap Styles Benefits Artists


Understanding rap styles isn’t just for fans who want to impress their friends with obscure music knowledge. For artists, it’s essential. Knowing different styles allows rappers to expand their range, collaborate effectively, reach broader audiences, and sharpen their identity. Producers benefit, too, by constructing beats that complement a rapper’s delivery, pitching tracks to the right audience, and choosing the right instruments and drum patterns for a specific sound. Knowing different styles allows artists to flow over various beats and adapt to trends. When collaborating with producers or other rappers, understanding different styles helps match the tone and energy of the track.

The Influence of Geography and Culture


Rap styles aren’t just about the music. The world around them shapes them. Geographic regions play a considerable role—West Coast rap sounds different from Southern trap or East Coast boom bap. Cultural context matters, too. Some styles emerge from social environments, like UK drill reflecting inner-city life or emo rap emerging from mental health struggles. Understanding where a style came from helps artists pay homage, innovate respectfully, and build connections to a more profound hip-hop tradition.

The Evolution of Rap Styles Over Time


Rap styles are constantly evolving. Technology has a significant impact—the rise of Auto-Tune gave birth to melodic rap, and AI tools now let artists clone their voices and generate instrumentals with text prompts. Cultural shifts like political movements and online communities shape lyrical focus and energy. Rap continues to merge with pop, rock, R&B, electronic, and even country to create new hybrid styles. That’s why modern rap often blends styles—an artist might deliver a trap-style verse over a melodic emo beat or combine a boom-bap structure with experimental sound design.

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Complete Step-by-Step Guide On How To Use Musicfy's AI Voice Generator


The Beat of Hip-Hop Music Production


Hip-hop music production is a dynamic mix of creativity and technical skill. It’s about making beats, arranging sounds, and producing tracks that make people move. Producers use gear like drum machines, synthesizers, and DAWs like Ableton Live or FL Studio. Sampling is huge here—taking snippets of existing recordings and flipping them into something new. 

Think of producers like J Dilla or Madlib as masters of this craft. They breathe new life into old sounds. Mixing and mastering are crucial, too. These steps ensure your track sounds polished and balanced on any system. With the rise of digital tools, even a laptop can be a full studio setup today. So, hip-hop production is about pushing boundaries and staying fresh, whether crafting a laid-back boom-bap beat or a high-energy trap banger.

Just a reminder, if you can't wait and are eager to use Musicfy's Free Spongebob AI Voice Generator, you can try out our free Spongebob Squarepants AI voice generator, and 100+ more celebrity voices and popular voices on create.musicfy.lol for free right now!

Video Guide


Written Guide

1. Download An Audio File or Find A Youtube Link For A Song That You Want To Use for A Voice Over or An AI Song Cover

2. Go To Create.musicfy.lol

You will land on this page

Musicfy's jschlatt ai voice generator


3. Upload Your Audio File

You can upload the audio file, or you can upload a Youtube link

Upload Audio File:
Musicfy's jschlatt ai voice generator
Upload Youtube Link:
Musicfy's jschlatt ai voice generatorMusicfy's jschlatt ai voice generator


4. Optional: Click 'Advanced Settings' To Customize Your Remix

Musicfy's jschlatt ai voice generatorMusicfy's jschlatt ai voice generator


5. Choose The Artist That You Want To Use For The Cover

Let your imagination run wild - the possibilities are unbounded ⬇️

Musicfy's jschlatt ai voice generatorMusicfy's jschlatt ai voice generator


6. Click the 'Generate' button

Musicfy's jschlatt ai voice generatorMusicfy's jschlatt ai voice generator


7. Click 'Download' and You're Set To Go!

8. Post On Socials and Go Viral 🚀


Let us know if you have any questions. We're always happy to help the next generation of innovators in this space. 

10 Different Rap Styles (with Real-Life Examples)


man rapping - Different Rap Styles


1. Discovering Boom Bap


Boom bap is the raw essence of hip-hop, where hard-hitting drum breaks meet simple loops and lyrical prowess. Think of New York City streets in the late '80s and '90s. The flow? Slow to mid-tempo with punchy bar delivery. Production thrives on dusty drum kits and jazz samples. Legends like Nas and KRS-One paved the way.

2. Trap's Dominance


Trap is the heartbeat of modern hip-hop, merging street lyricism with futuristic beats—picture heavy basslines and rolling hi-hats. The flow is fast-paced and often melodic or monotone. Artists like Future and Young Thug embody this. Born in the South, especially Atlanta, in the early 2000s, trap's influence is everywhere.

3. The Grit of Drill


Drill is Trap's darker, more aggressive cousin. With violent themes and cinematic beats, it's slightly off-beat and full of pauses. Sliding 808s and eerie atmospheres define its sound. The drill has spread globally from Chicago's Chief Keef to the UK's Central Cee.

4. Conscious Rap's Deep Dive


Conscious rap is the voice of social awareness, tackling politics and personal stories. Articulate and lyrical, it’s all about storytelling. The production is mellow, with soulful samples. Artists like J. Cole and Kendrick Lamar carry the torch rooted in the poetic traditions of the '90s.

5. The Emotion of Melodic Rap


Melodic rap blends singing with rapping to express vulnerability. Auto-tuned and emotionally charged, it focuses on heartbreak and addiction. Soft pianos and ambient pads set the mood. Juice WRLD and Lil Peep are key figures who emerged from the late 2010s SoundCloud scene.

6. Speed and Precision in Fast Rap


Fast rap, or chopper style, is all about speed and complex rhyme patterns. It’s a showcase of performance skills. Simple, high-tempo beats let the vocals shine. Artists like Twista and Tech N9ne, with roots in the Midwest, lead the charge.

7. Freestyle: Off-the-Dome Magic


Freestyle rap is pure improvisation, emphasizing spontaneity and wordplay. The flow’s loose, with unexpected rhymes. Beats are simple, loopable, and non-distracting. Juice WRLD and Harry Mack are masters with deep roots in rap battles and ciphers.

8. West Coast G-funk's Groove


G-Funk is the smooth, funky vibe of '90s West Coast rap. Relaxed flows and funky basslines define it, and electric pianos and synths create the sound. Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre are synonymous with G-Funk’s laid-back yet confident style.

9. Southern Bounce: High-Energy Crunk


Crunk is all about high-energy, chant-heavy music for clubs. Loud and rhythmic, it’s designed to incite energy. Lil Jon and Three 6 Mafia lead this style, rooted in Southern club scenes like Memphis and New Orleans.

10. Breaking Rules with Experimental Rap


Experimental rap defies conventions, mixing genres and breaking structure. The flow’s unpredictable, with stream-of-consciousness lyrics. Lo-fi textures and unconventional timing are its hallmarks. Visionaries like MF DOOM and Tyler, The Creator push boundaries in the underground scene. Ready to create your unique sound? Musicfy's AI voice generator lets you craft AI music with a voice free from copyright, using a custom model to combine voices and avoid royalties. With its groundbreaking text-to-music feature, you can describe a style and create the entire song in seconds—from voice to beat. Try Musicfy’s innovative tools for free today!

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How To Make Hip Hop Beats
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Hip Hop vs Pop Music

How to Create Beats for Every Rap Style


creating beats from scratch - Different Rap Styles


Crafting the Perfect Boom Bap Beat


Boom Bap is all about that classic, gritty sound. Start with dusty kicks and sharp snares. Actual drum samples or breakbeats from vinyl are your best bet. Keep the tempo around 85–95 BPM, and chop jazz, soul, or funk samples for the melody. Let those drums and samples shine without over-layering. Use tools like Serato Sample or Maschine, and leverage Musicfy to generate vintage-style samples and old-school drum grooves by describing what you’re looking for.

Building a Trap Banger


You need clean 808s, hard kicks, crisp snares, and hi-hats with rolls and triplets for trap. Keep the tempo between 130–150 BPM. The melody should be dark and ambient, using bells or pluck synths. Structure your track with an intro, hook, verse, bridge, and drops, using FX for transitions. Tools like FL Studio and Omnisphere are perfect, or try Musicfy’s “text-to-music” for instant trap beats. Just describe your vibe, and Musicfy will craft a beat with melodies and bass.

Creating Drill's Signature Vibe


Drill demands gliding 808s, snare delays, sharp open hats, and sliding hi-hats, with tempos typically at 140–145 BPM. Think haunting piano chords or minor key strings for melodies. Use staggered drum patterns, unexpected drops, and breakdowns. Splice drill kits and Logic Pro are great or use Musicfy’s AI to convert a hummed melody into a drill synth or string part.

Producing Conscious Rap with Substance


Conscious rap thrives on looser, organic drums. Aim for a tempo between 85 and 100 BPM. Rich chords from piano or guitar add depth, along with vinyl crackle or ambient noise. Focus on long verses without interruptions. Live instruments are key, but Musicfy can generate melodic layers based on keywords like “introspective piano.”

Crafting Melodic and Emo Rap


Melodic or emo rap uses soft kicks, snappy snares, and sparse hi-hats with 70–90 BPM tempos. Emotional guitar, ambient pads, or melancholy piano lines set the tone. Leave lots of space in the mix for vocal layers. Guitar VSTs and Arcade by Output are great, or use Musicfy to convert a hummed melody into a guitar or synth part.

Supporting Fast Rap (Chopper Style)


Fast rap needs clean, tight drums that don’t overpower the vocals. Keep tempos between 100 and 120 BPM. Simple synth lines or stabs work best. Structure the track to steadily build without losing vocal clarity. Use quantized MIDI drums and Musicfy’s clean beat presets to keep it simple.

Simplifying Freestyle and Off-the-Dome Beats


Freestyle beats are all about supporting the rapper. Use basic loops with kick, snare, and hi-hat, and keep tempos at 85–95 BPM. Simple keys or looped samples stay out of the way of the lyrics. Stick to 8–16 bar loops with little change. Lo-fi packs or Musicfy’s AI loops make it easy.

Nailing the G-Funk and West Coast Sound


G-funk needs loose, funky kicks and snares with a swing. Tempos range from 90–100 BPM. Funk basslines, synth leads, and clean guitar riffs are key. Layered vocal hooks keep the groove funky. Talkbox plugins and funk packs work well or use Musicfy to generate G-funk loops based on your description.

Energizing Southern Bounce and Crunk


Southern bounce and crunk are all about loud kicks, snares, claps, and chant-style percussion. Tempos range from 120–140 BPM. Use brass stabs, synth chants, or dirty organ keys for melodies. Focus on energetic sections and repetitive chant hooks. Lex Luger-style kits and Musicfy’s high-energy beat mode are perfect.

Exploring Experimental and Alternative Rap


Experimental rap thrives on off-grid or distorted, glitch-heavy patterns. Tempos vary, often blending genres. Use abstract samples, lo-fi textures, and ambient layers—structure with unpredictable builds and drops. Foley sounds, or Musicfy’s “experimental” setting, can turn a weird recording into a custom melody.

Revolutionizing Rap with Musicfy's AI


Musicfy is revolutionizing music production with its AI voice generator, allowing you to create unique voice clones and produce AI music free from copyright restrictions. Describe your desired music style with their groundbreaking text-to-music feature, and the AI will craft an entire song in seconds, from the beat to the vocals. Try Musicfy’s AI voice generator now for free!

Create Viral Music In Seconds For Free with Musicfy's AI Music Generator


Hip-hop constantly evolves, and Musicfy is at the forefront of that transformation. This AI music generator lets you create your voice clone, making it a game-changer for artists. Imagine crafting a track with a voice that's uniquely yours, free from copyright issues. Musicfy’s custom AI blends two voices to create a brand-new sound, ensuring your music stands apart.

Create Unique Beats with Voice-to-Instrument


How often have you wished you could hum a melody and instantly hear it played by a guitar or saxophone? Musicfy’s voice-to-instrument feature makes that a reality. Sing or beatbox into the tool and watch as it recreates the sound of any instrument you desire. This feature removes the guesswork, so you can focus on what truly matters: making music.

Craft Entire Songs with Text-to-Music


The crown jewel of Musicfy is its text-to-music capability. Describe the vibe and instruments you aim for, and let the AI take over. It crafts an entire song in seconds, from the beat to the vocals. This is especially groundbreaking for hip-hop artists who want to experiment with rap styles like trap, boom bap, or alternative rap without limitations. You can create viral music effortlessly and instantly see your ideas come to life.

Related Reading


Hip Hop Mixing And Mastering
What Instruments Are Used In Hip Hop
What Instruments Are Used In Rap
Which Music Production Software Is Best for Hip Hop?
Best Hip Hop Music Maker

Arib Khan
Arib Khan

Author

Arib Khan, Founder of Musicfy

Arib Khan has been featured on Business Insider, VICE, and more. His passion and drive to help musicians is unbounded. He is on a mission to help anyone, from all walks of life, to create music with ease using AI.

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