The history of Phonk: from Memphis rap to TikTok drift trends. Listen to classic phonk and aggressive drift phonk. Artists, features, and atmosphere.
Phonk is a genre that blends the dark atmosphere of southern 1990s hip-hop, trap beats, vocal samples from Memphis rap, and retro cassette aesthetics. It’s the sound of the streets, night rides, the underground — and TikTok trends all at once.
History of the Genre
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Roots — Memphis, 1990s:
The foundation of phonk lies in Memphis rap — lo-fi recordings with raw lyrics, often transferred from cassettes.
Artists: DJ Screw, Three 6 Mafia, Tommy Wright III, DJ Smokey -
2010s:
A digital revival. The term phonk appears online.
New-wave creators: Ski Mask The Slump God, Mr. Sisco, DJ Yung Vamp, Soudiere, Mythic Mob -
2020s:
Phonk takes over TikTok, YouTube, and Spotify — especially the drift phonk subgenre, known for its fast, aggressive distorted basslines.
The Sound of Phonk
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Samples: Vocals from old-school Memphis rap
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Beats: 808 kicks, trap snares, claps
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Atmosphere: Night-driven, dark, gritty, menacing
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FX: VHS noise, distortion, slowdown effects
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Vocals: Chopped, slowed, gangsta-style or completely instrumental
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Tempo: Ranges from 70 to 160 BPM, depending on the subgenre
Phonk Subgenres
| Subgenre | Description | Artists |
|---|---|---|
| Classic Phonk | Memphis samples, trap beats, dark vibe | DJ Smokey, Soudiere, Mythic Mob |
| Drift Phonk | Aggressive, fast, made for drifting and cars | KSLV Noh, Kordhell, PlayaPhonk |
| Vapor Phonk | Softer, atmospheric, with vintage tones | Ryan Celsius Sounds |
Where Is Phonk Popular?
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TikTok: Trends with drifting, cars, and slow-motion effects
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YouTube: Phonk Mixes (Ryan Celsius, Rare Phonk, TRASH GANG)
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Spotify Playlists: Drift Phonk, Phonk House, Underground Phonk
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Gaming clips, VHS aesthetics, Instagram Reels
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Minatrix.FM: Phonk music
Key Artists
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DJ Smokey
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Soudiere
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Ryan Celsius Sounds (as a curator)
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Kordhell (“Murder In My Mind”)
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KSLV Noh
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LXST CXNTURY
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Phonk Killer
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PlayaPhonk
Fun Facts
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Drift phonk became the soundtrack for TikTok and Reels videos
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Phonk visuals often use cassette covers and 3D retro fonts
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Visually, phonk = VHS filters + black-and-white graphics + muscle cars
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Most phonk videos feature night drives, burnouts, and street shots
Conclusion
Phonk is a phenomenon of the digital age where past and future collide in one beat. It captures the raw energy of 1990s Memphis rap and the spirit of internet underground culture, becoming the soundtrack of a generation raised on TikTok, YouTube, and street visuals.
This music feels like a night highway — dark, hypnotic, with the roar of engines and bass pulsing through the speakers. Phonk doesn’t aim for radio formats — it lives in memes, VHS textures, drift scenes, and neon cityscapes.
Today, phonk is more than a genre. It’s a visual code, a subculture, and a state of mind. It keeps evolving, blending with house, techno, trap, and even pop elements — yet its essence remains the same: darkness, speed, and style. It’s the sound of the 21st-century streets, where the beat is the engine, and the sound is life itself.
