Modern Rap
808s, sliding bass and melodic rap: today's mainstream.
Trap is modern rap's skeleton; drill is colder and tenser, cloud rap floatier, emo rap sadder and alternative hip-hop more experimental. For local scenes see Regional Rap. Rage loops a harsh, stereo-wide synth over trap drums: rap written for the mosh pit. Plugg goes the other way: sparse drums, thick 808s and melodies as sweet as an old game console.
What they share
- 808 bass and hi-hat rolls
- Half-time groove
- Melody and auto-tune
How to choose
- Mainstream trapTrap
- Cold streetDrill
- Floating and sadCloud RapEmo Rap
- Experimental and regionalAlternative Hip-Hop
- Harsh synth loops and mosh-pit energyRage
- Sparse, dreamy SoundCloud trapPlugg / PluggnB
Starter prompt
Modern trap, 140 BPM half-time, booming 808 bass, rolling hi-hats, dark melodic synth loop, melodic auto-tuned rap vocalsA general starting point for this family; swap in a specific style’s keywords for sharper results.
Side by side
| Style | Era | BPM | Mood | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trap | 1990s–2000s | 65–85 half-time | Dark & heavyRebellious & boldGroove & energyHype & thrill | Battle & action · Party & dance floor |
| Rage | Late 2010s–present | 75–85 half-time | Rebellious & boldHype & thrillDark & heavy | Battle & action · Workout & sports |
| Drill | 2010s–present | 138–145 | Dark & heavyTense & suspenseCity nightHype & thrill | Battle & action · Night drives & city walks |
| Cloud Rap | 2010s | 60–80 | Dreamy & floatingCity nightCalm & focusedHealing | Night drives & city walks · Memories & farewells |
| Plugg / PluggnB | Mid-2010s onward | 70–80 half-time | Dreamy & floatingCalm & focusedBright & sweet | Everyday & school · Night drives & city walks |
| Emo Rap | Late 2010s–present | 130–160 | Melancholy & lonelyCity nightDreamy & floating | Memories & farewells · Everyday & school |
| Alternative Hip-Hop | Late 1980s | 80–105 | Rebellious & boldMystic & ritualMelancholy & lonely | Everyday & school · Memories & farewells |
All styles
- Trap
Heavy low end slows time down while fine-grained rhythms keep speeding up between pressure and confidence.
- Rage
A piercing synth loop, overdriven 808s and screamed vocals: trap written for the mosh pit.
- Drill
Sliding 808s, syncopated hi-hats and cold delivery, the tense beat of dark estates.
- Cloud Rap
Floating synth pads and lazy rap, like daydreaming on a pink cloud.
Plugg / PluggnBSparse drums, thick 808s and melodies like a Nintendo game: soft, floaty SoundCloud trap.
Emo RapHeartbreak and loneliness sung over trap beats, where rap meets emo rock feeling.
Alternative Hip-HopTreats the beat as a vessel for personal language, letting humour, whimsy, melody and different ways of telling enter rap.