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What is memphis rap?
Born in the South, Memphis rap is a style of music that has grown to be one of the most influential subgenres for modern-day rap and hip hop.
Many would say that Atlanta is the city that defines the sound of today’s rap music. However, before the label of trap music was given to the Southern hip hop sound coming from artists like T.I., Memphis had already laid the sonic foundation for what would become trap.
At a time when the East Coast and West Coast rap scenes dominated the music industry, the South had to come together to form its own sonic identity, heavily influenced by the sound established in Memphis. Going back to the ’80s and listening to Unfinished Business by DJ Spanish Fly, you’ll find a lot in common with today’s sound. Even one of the biggest (t)rap producers from Atlanta, Metro Boomin, publicly states the Memphis sound to be one of his biggest influences.
Not only did the sound of Memphis rap, with its heavy 808s, cowbells, bouncy triplet hi-hat patterns, dark keys, and vocal chants stand the test of time—but the DIY mindset of the Memphis rap scene continues to influence artists to this day. Would we have artists like Russ, who became successful with no support from a label, without the pioneering DIY culture of Memphis rap?
Throughout the decades, the city’s direct contribution to chart-topping hits like “Stay Fly,” “Chickenhead,” “Look Alive,” and “Yeah Glo!” make it impossible to ignore the influence of Memphis rap on today’s modern hip hop sound and its continued relevance.
The history of Memphis rap
The DIY lo-fi production style of Memphis goes back to the 1980s, when the music industry wasn’t willing to invest much attention or money into the Southern rap scene due to regional bias and racism. But, this didn’t stop artists like DJ Spanish Fly (referred to as “The Godfather of Memphis Rap”) from making a name for themselves in the city and beyond, in his case through his self-produced project which laid the foundation for Memphis rap tapes and influenced the sound of phonk.
Its enduring impact on today’s rap and hip hop
The impact of classic ’90s Memphis rap albums on today’s rap music becomes clear when listening to Mystic Stylez by Three 6 Mafia, which includes “Gotta Touch ‘Em – (Pt. 2)” (which samples “Everlasting Bass” by Rodney O and Joe Cooley).
Metro Boomin using the same sample for “Like That”—a song which sparked one of the biggest rap beefs in hip hop history between Kendrick Lamar and Drake—might also be due to him being influenced by Memphis.
The influence of the city’s sound, however, goes beyond the American South. Whether it’s A$AP Ferg’s “Plain Jane” (New York) or Skepta’s “It Ain’t Safe” (London), you can hear countless direct references to famous Memphis rap songs (like “Slob On My Nob” by Three 6 Mafia) and flow patterns originating from the city.
Not only did Memphis rap contribute to today’s global rap sound by influencing other artists, but the scene’s legends like 8Ball & MJG and Three 6 Mafia are still heard in clubs around the world 20 years later, with their all-time classics like “Stay Fly” produced by DJ Paul and Juicy J.
Memphis rap artists throughout the decades
Memphis rap has grown from its dark, gritty, lo-fi roots to becoming the blueprint for rap hits from around the world today. That said, the city doesn’t need to rely on influencing others to be relevant, thanks to the many rappers who delivered hits of their own throughout the decades.
1990s: Three 6 Mafia
Three 6 Mafia laid the foundation for the scene; in their early days, the rap group made a name for themselves with their dark Memphis sound, characterized by synth-driven melodies and crunchy drum sounds from drum machines like the BOSS DR-5. The ’90s also marked the launch of the group’s first independent Memphis rap record label, Hypnotize Minds, which released many of the scene’s essentials in the coming years.
2000s: Project Pat
Memphis rap broke into the mainstream in the early 2000s, conquering clubs and shaping a new subgenre in crunk. With hits like Three 6 Mafia’s “Stay Fly” and Project Pat’s solo album Mista Don’t Play, a new era of Southern hip hop made the city take off globally.
2010s: Tay Keith
During the mid – late 2010s, Memphis rap continued to evolve thanks to one of its most influential producers to date, Tay Keith. Music streaming started taking over during this period, which demanded artists to deliver hit singles rather than solely focusing on projects. Tay Keith managed to provide the beats to some of the biggest rap singles during this era including “Look Alive” and “SICKO MODE” by reimagining a faster-paced version of the Memphis bounce.
2020s: NLE Choppa, Key Glock, and others
With its unique bounce, varied sounds, and continued ability to adapt to technology, Memphis rap is consistently delivering hits for TikTok, the clubs, and the charts to this day. Some key songs that have come from the city in recent years include “Shotta Flow” by NLE Choppa, “Let’s Go” by Key Glock, and “Me Vs Me” by Moneybagg Yo.
How to make Memphis rap beats
Technology has always influenced the sound of Memphis rap, and continues to do so today. When listening to Memphis rap from the ’90s vs. 2020s, it’s easy to spot commonalities in sound choice, even though the quality of the sounds has changed. The gritty cassette tape aesthetic isn’t as common in modern Memphis rap—however, it remains relevant in popular subgenres like phonk.
The modern sound of Memphis is therefore often referred to as trap for the sake of making a distinction. One of the main producers representing this sound is Tay Keith, who as mentioned often gravitates to more uptempo variations of the Memphis bounce.
If you’re interested in making authentic modern Memphis rap beats yourself, consider the following:
- 808s and kicks: Unlike rap beats from Atlanta, Memphis still uses subby 808s with less punch. This is due to the more common use of kick one-shots—make sure you layer your 808s with kicks to add punch.
- Snares and claps: Snares and claps are often used in combination to achieve the wide Memphis snare sound. Consider keeping a separate folder for snares and claps in your DAW to have the flexibility to layer as needed and create snare rolls, which are a signature sound of modern Memphis rap beats.
- Hi-hats: Select hi-hats that emulate drum machines like the TR-808, DR-5, MPC60, and SP-1200.
- Percussion: One of the most frequently-used percussion sounds in Memphis trap is cowbells, alongside synthesized clave sounds, which are often found on the aforementioned drum machines.
- BPM: Consider a BPM of ~135 – 150 for classic Memphis rap beats; you can also go faster if you’re looking to capture the energy of GloRilla-type beats.
- Key: Lean towards minor and minor harmonic keys and scales.
- Samples: Dark pianos, repetitive synth pads, bells, and leads can help fill out your arrangement.
What Memphis rap tracks are your favorite? What other genres would you like to see us dive into next? Start a conversation with an ever-growing community of other music creators via the Splice Discord.
Make modern Memphis beats with Origin Sound’s MEMPHIS TYPE BEATS sample pack:
June 20, 2025
