For a long time, type beats were associated almost strictly with harsh genres of hip hop, encompassing styles such as trap, old-school and other forms of sad-boyery. But times are changing, folks, and these days hip hop fans tend to like a little bit more sugar in their beats to help the medicine go down. Enter your lofi rappers such as Smino and Kota The Friend, which incorporate chill vibes into their vibe. Nowadays, the once derided “lofi beats to study to” are now part of the sound palette of more than a few artists, and there are even some type beat producers out there who focus exclusively on the genre. Here are a couple of my favorites.

wurlishmouk

Big in the bedroom pop / indie type niche, wurlishmouk is a self-described American introvert that lives with his dog. His beats are always on point with a professional sound and all the coolness one requires, but when this guy makes a lofi beat, damn…

If you’re a rapper of some kind, I suggest you secure yourself a couple wurlishmouk beats and take advantage of his 2-for-1 deal, because this guy is gonna be huge.

You don’t want to be the schmuck standing in the rain, just outside of wherever the hell they’re doing the Grammys, telling anyone who wants to hear it that it could’ve been you on stage receiving an award if only you had used a wurlishmouk beat while it was still time.

This exact scenario may or may not have happened to me irl on 2 separate occasions… Err, I don’t want to talk about it, ok?!

Yusei

If you’re done studying and you’re looking for some “beats to party to,” Yusei might be just the thing you’re looking for. These are lofi beats with a modern elegance that would be right at home on some Drake album.

The elusive producer’s vibe, just like the charming visuals on their YouTube page, have this general sexiness that’s an interesting substitute to the overall lack of mojo of some of the more “positive” and “wide-eyed” chill beats out there.

For all my SoundCloud rappers out there (is that still a thing??), Yusei generally includes a half-time breakdown at the end of their beats to allow you to switch things up and get slurry with it. I don’t know, I think it’s a nice touch!

Team Ross

If you’ve been following Team Ross for a while, you’ve probably noticed he has been switching from one genre to the other in the past couple years. Having amassed a nice lil’ following on Beatstars, this Canadian musician has explored everything from hard twerk bangers a la Megan Thee Stallion to wavy tracks inspired by Playboi Carti and Pi’erre Bourne.

Well, this producer seems to have settled on the lofi niche lately, producing fun beats with a characteristic balance of happy and melancholic energy. The classic salty and sweet, like sea salt on dark chocolate, babe. The years of making all sorts of hip hop genres have finally paid off, it sounds like.

Check out Team Ross if you like your lofi with a sprinkle of lush electronic and trap sonority.

midsummer

If you’re thinking this is gonna be some crazy, trippy horror movie type beats, you’re wrong bro. You’re thinking of the 2019 Ari Aster movie Midsommar. This ain’t that!

Midsummer’s beats are actually probably the opposite of a creepy shroom trip that (spoiler alert!) ends with a couple of sacrifices. The musician’s wistful production is more like a trip to Sweden that goes exactly as planned: Simply delightful!

I’d say to check these beats out if you’re a rapper, but even if you’re not I’d say these tracks are pretty fun to listen to just as is. So, check ‘em out whoever you are.

Eric Godlow Beats

Maybe you’ve had it with this crazy mix-em-up world. You’re tired of being jerked around, and you're ready to walk into the woods right now. Like, drop everything and disappear because it’s all just a little bit too much for you right now.

If that sounds like you

a) you should DM me because boy do I feel the same, and

b) you should listen to Eric Godlow Beats’ tracks because they might be what you really need: a cool and calming balm on the salty wounds of your soul.

Meditative and full of ambience, these beats will contribute to making your life more groovy. That’s my pledge to you.

Jhotzyッ

If you’re in your feels and you want to write a song for your boo, which just so happens to be on the exact opposite point on this big blue marble we call Earth, boy do I have the type beats for you.

Check out Jhotzyッ, a young go-getter from Brazil. The gentle keys and bouncy drums will bring you back to life and make you wipe those salty tears from your eyes.

Definitely and up-and-coming artist to watch!

Lee

Maybe you know Lee, maybe you don’t. But even if you do know this artist, can you say you really know them? Like, what are their dreams? What makes them smile in the morning? Do they long for the touch of a stranger? A touch that feels both unique, yet familiar?

In a way maybe you do know all this, since this producers’ music speaks volume. Afterall, Lee has millions of listeners across all platforms, and their beats are perfectly tasty and delightfully lofi.

Just what the doctor ordered… Although I wouldn’t trust the opinion of a physician that prescribes type beats. I’d - at the VERY least - seek a second opinion. Especially if you have healthcare insurance, because then it’s probably covered.

If you want to make lofi type beats, you’re gonna need some cool plugins. Check out my post on the best lofi VSTs out there (including a couple of free ones)

Cover image: Brian Lundquist