Pick the wrong beat and even a great verse falls flat. Pick the right one and your flow, your hook and your story suddenly click. The first step is knowing what you're choosing between. This guide walks through the main types of rap beats, what each one sounds like, the tempo it usually sits at, and the kind of rapper it suits, with real examples from our catalog you can play right now.
Quick overview: types of rap beats at a glance
| Beat type | Typical tempo | Feel | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boom bap | 85–95 BPM | Dusty drums, head-nod bounce | Lyrical rappers, storytelling |
| Trap | 130–160 BPM (felt at half time) | 808 bass, rolling hi-hats | Punchy flows, ad-libs, energy |
| Melodic / guitar trap | 120–160 BPM | Guitars or piano over trap drums | Melodic rappers, sung hooks |
| Emo rap | 90–150 BPM | Sad chords, emotional melodies | Vulnerable, personal lyrics |
| Trap soul / R&B rap | 90–120 BPM | Smooth chords, soft 808s | Rap-singers, late-night records |
| Country rap | 90–110 BPM | Guitar and twang over hip hop drums | Crossover artists |
| Funk / pop rap | 95–115 BPM | Groovy bass, bright chords | Upbeat, radio-friendly songs |
1. Boom bap
Boom bap is the classic East Coast sound: a hard kick ("boom"), a cracking snare ("bap") and a loop of chopped samples or keys. It sits around 85–95 BPM, slow enough for every word to land. That's why it's still the go-to for lyrical rappers, battle MCs and anyone who wants the bars to be the main event.
Try it: Sandman is a 90 BPM boom bap beat built for verses.
2. Trap
Trap took over hip hop in the 2010s and still dominates the charts. You'll recognise it by long, sliding 808 bass notes, fast rolling hi-hats and a snare that hits on the third beat. Trap beats are usually made at 130–160 BPM but feel half as fast, which leaves room for both slow, menacing flows and rapid triplet flows on the same beat.
Best for: rappers who want energy, space for ad-libs and a modern sound. Browse all our trap type beats.
3. Melodic and guitar trap
Melodic trap keeps the 808s and hi-hats but puts a melody in front: usually an acoustic or electric guitar, a piano or soft synth chords. This is the sound of artists like Juice WRLD and The Kid Laroi, where the rapper floats between rapping and singing. The melody does a lot of the emotional work, so simple, catchy hooks hit hard.
Try it: Ghost Town (140 BPM, guitar trap) or Day & Night (72 BPM, a slower guitar pop trap beat). More in our Juice WRLD type beats.
4. Emo rap
Emo rap borrows from emo and pop punk: minor chords, sad melodies and raw, personal lyrics. The beat can be built on trap drums, on a stripped-back guitar or on piano. What matters is the mood. If your lyrics are about heartbreak, anxiety or loss, an emo rap beat gives them the weight they need.
Try it: Love & Pain (emo trap, 104 BPM) or Empty Bed (sad piano rap, 118 BPM).
5. Trap soul and R&B rap
Trap soul blends R&B chords and soft melodies with trap drums. It's smoother and more intimate than straight trap, and it's made for artists who sing their hooks and rap their verses. Think late-night, slow-burning records.
Try it: Pillow (115 BPM) or I Got You (96 BPM). Browse more R&B type beats.
6. Country rap
Country rap mixes acoustic guitar, slide guitar and country melodies with hip hop and trap drums. It's one of the fastest-growing crossover lanes, opening up both hip hop and country audiences.
Try it: Moonshine, a 100 BPM country rap beat with a club trap edge. See all country type beats.
7. Funk and pop rap
Not every rap song has to be dark. Funk and pop rap beats use groovy basslines, bright chords and bouncy drums for feel-good, playlist-friendly songs. They work well for rappers who also want to reach pop listeners.
Try it: Step Up, a 98 BPM funk pop hip hop beat.
How to choose the right type of rap beat
- Start with your flow. Dense, wordy verses suit slower boom bap. Triplet flows and short punchy lines suit trap.
- Match the mood to your lyrics. A sad story on a party beat (or the opposite) confuses listeners.
- Decide how much you'll sing. If the hook is sung, a melodic, emo or trap soul beat gives you the chords to sing over.
- Check the key. If you sing hooks, make sure the key sits in your vocal range. Every beat on our store lists its BPM and key.
- Think about where it will be released. For streaming, check the stream limits of your license before you release.
Other rap beat styles worth knowing
- Drill: dark, sliding 808s and skippy hi-hats, usually around 140 BPM, born in Chicago and developed in the UK and New York.
- Lo-fi hip hop: dusty, relaxed beats around 70–90 BPM, popular for chill, introspective verses.
- Jersey club and dance rap: fast, bouncy rhythms made for the club and short-form video.
- Rage: distorted synths and huge 808s, made for high-energy, mosh-pit performances.
Common mistakes when choosing a rap beat
- Picking a beat you love but can't ride. Rap a test verse before you buy. If you keep losing the pocket, try a different tempo.
- Ignoring the key. If you sing any part of the song, a beat in the wrong key will make every hook harder.
- Buying the smallest license for a big release. If you're pushing a single with a budget, check the stream limits so you don't have to upgrade mid-campaign.
Licensing a rap beat
Every beat on BigBadBeats can be licensed for commercial release, with untagged MP3 and WAV files delivered instantly. The Limited License covers most first releases, Premium + Stems adds the tracked-out stems for mixing, and the Unlimited License removes stream limits and allows monetization. Compare everything on our licensing page.
FAQ
What is the most popular type of rap beat right now?
Trap and melodic trap are still the most-used styles in mainstream rap, with boom bap remaining popular among lyrical and underground rappers.
What BPM is a rap beat?
It depends on the style: boom bap usually sits at 85–95 BPM, while trap is made at 130–160 BPM and feels half as fast.
Can I rap on a pop or R&B beat?
Yes. Many hit songs put rap verses over pop, funk or R&B instrumentals. Choose a beat with a clear drum groove and some open space for your verse.