Making lo-fi hip hop beats: the essential guide for beginners

What defines lo-fi hip hop?

Lo-fi hip hop gets its name from the term “low-fidelity,” meaning low-quality sound. The genre embraces imperfections that were originally created by malfunctioning pieces of gear. Perhaps the lo-fi movement is a response to a digital era where all sound can easily be “perfected”.

Because of this, the genre leans heavily into detuned samples, vinyl crackle, wobbly tape sounds, and relaxed drum grooves. Unlike polished hip hop, lo-fi doesn’t aim for sonic perfection. It rather thrives on texture, warmth, and a sense of nostalgia. The genre often features jazzy chord progressions, simple drum patterns, and melodic loops that feel more like background ambiance than a club anthem.

You’ll also notice that lo-fi beats often sit around 60–90 BPM, with plenty of space between the drums, leaving room for a minimalist groove. Effects like reverb, delay, chorus, and bitcrushing are used generously to up the nostalgic ante.

Lo-fi is a subgenre of instrumental hip hop, and generally lacks vocals apart from the occasional reverb-drenched sample.