Memphis rap

Memphis rap, also known as Memphis hip hop and Memphis horrorcore, is a regional subgenre of hip hop music that originated in Memphis, Tennessee in the early 1990s. Influenced by horrorcore, the genre was characterized by its distinctly dark, occult-based and occasionally lo-fi sound. It also heavily employed Roland TR-808 drum machines and minimal but chilling synthesizer melodies, as well as double time flows and horror film score samples.

Early artists and groups associated with Memphis rap include Al Kapone, DJ Spanish Fly, Lil NoiD,8Ball & MJG and Three 6 Mafia, with the latter two achieving relative commercial success. Three 6 Mafia's Mystic Stylez (1995) and Lil NoiD's Paranoid Funk (1995) releases were particularly influential in the genre's development. Despite largely staying underground, it has attained a cult following, influencing rappers such as Lil Ugly Mane, Denzel Curry, SpaceGhostPurrp and Joey Badass, as well as crunk and trap music genres.