There were many important hip-hop DJs in Memphis during the late 80s and early 90s, but one of the most influential people who helped craft the Memphis Sound is DJ Spanish Fly. DJs soon began experimenting with affordable drum machines and tape recorders to create their own music. While mainstream East Coast/West Coast producers had access to top-of-the-line samplers and drum machines, the majority of Memphis Producers did not have access to this type of gear due to its high price tag. In my opinion, one of the biggest reasons Memphis Rap sounded so unique was due to the equipment they used. Memphis Rap beats in the early to mid 90s had a very different sound compared to East Coast Boom Bap or West Coast G-Funk. Drum Machines, Samplers, & Keyboards Boss DR-660 The techniques of 90s Memphis production are being used daily by modern producers, many of them without even knowing it. The reason new listeners are becoming drawn to these underground tapes is due to their undeniable influence on modern music genres - Trap, Phonk, Drill, etc. Its familiar production sound and rap flow patterns have led people to realize that Memphis Rap was extremely ahead of its time. This was the perfect storm for the sound of eerie lo-fi Memphis Rap which has been steadily gaining notoriety online as new generations discover this underground subgenre of hip-hop.
Memphis Rap during the 90s was often created in DIY home studios with cheap drum machines, limited samplers, and 4-track cassette recorders. Much of Memphis Rap's sound is a result of its production approach.
This article covers the gear, techniques, and innovative production styles of Memphis Rap. Have you ever wondered how 90s Memphis Rap producers got their sound?Īfter extensive research, speaking to producers, and watching rare interviews, I have chronicled the history and evolution of 90s Memphis Rap production.
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