Instrumental hip hop is a genre characterized by its emphasis on atmospheric soundscapes, often created through a blend of sampled breaks, jazz and soul-inspired instrumentation, and electronic production techniques. Emerging in the 1990s, it evolved from the underground hip hop scene, particularly in the US and Japan. The genre's golden era was marked by the work of producers who experimented with new textures and moods, often eschewing traditional vocal hip hop. Instrumental hip hop's cultural significance lies in its role as a soundtrack for introspection and relaxation, as well as its influence on chillhop and lo-fi music. Distinguishing it from similar styles, such as trip-hop and downtempo electronica, is its deep roots in hip hop's rhythmic and sampling traditions. Notable for its eclecticism and creativity, instrumental hip hop has become a beloved genre among fans of underground hip hop and electronic music.

In The Middle

Phlocalyst•

softy

Single - Released January 16, 2026