Dark Hip Hop Beats

The difference from dark trap is mostly the drums. Trap runs slim hats with triplets, claps and 808s; this leans on traditional hats and snares, and more often a bass line than an 808.

The melodic side goes to choirs and keys rather than pads and synths. The dusty texture comes from heavy filtering and resampling, twisting melodies and drums around, plenty of vinyl noise, and drums left off the grid for a live feel.

The tempo spread is wide, but it reads as one continuum rather than two separate things. Start with "Forgotten": its atmosphere is one of the most outstanding things I have made, dark in texture but deeply melancholic, built for the heartbreaking moment on a tape.

Recording tip: These are for bringing dark energy to a project, or for the saddest song you have written — rap on the verses, something sung on the hook.