Phonk

Phonk (/fɒŋk/ ^ⓘ) is a subgenre of hip hop and trap music directly inspired by 1990s Memphis rap. The genre is characterized by its use of vintage Memphis rap vocals, chopped and screwed production techniques, and samples from early 1990s hip hop, often combined with samples from jazz and funk.

The genre emerged in the Southern United States during the 1990s, with pioneers like DJ Screw, Three 6 Mafia, and DJ Spanish Fly laying its groundwork. The term "phonk" was popularized in the early 2010s by rapper and producer SpaceGhostPurrp, who described it as a modern take on funk-inspired hip hop.

In the late 2010s, a subgenre called drift phonk emerged in Russia, distinguished by its heavy use of cowbells, aggressive basslines, and faster tempos. Gaining widespread popularity through social media platforms like TikTok, drift phonk became synonymous with the broader phonk genre, often overshadowing its original sound.