What is Phonk? The Origins of the Viral Genre

You may have heard of Phonk—a relatively new genre that has skyrocketed in popularity since the 2010s. But what exactly is phonk, where did it come from, and why is it so popular right now? 

What Is Phonk?

Phonk is a unique subgenre of hip-hop that emerged in the 2010s and draws heavy inspiration from 90s Memphis rap. Characterized by EDM, underground rap, and hip-hop elements, phonk is recognized by its dark lofi sound, 90s Memphis rap samples, and most distinctively—the famous phonk cowbells.

The term “phonk” was popularized by rapper SpaceGhostPurrp, who intentionally modified the word “funk” to reflect his music’s retro-inspired style that channels the DIY sound of Memphis rap legends. Phonk is a modern homage to Southern rap’s underground roots.

The Origin of Phonk

At the start of the 90s in Memphis, Tennessee, artists like Three 6 Mafia, Gangsta Boo, and Tommy Wright III, were creating a dark new sound with horror-esque samples and rapid vocal rapping. Unlike New York and California where major record labels were introducing new artists to their roster constantly—Memphis artists had to take an independent approach to distribution, instead burning smaller amounts of tapes themselves to give out. Much of the music that survived from this time period has the lofi, tape compression sound that modern phonk artists love to recreate in their music.

During the 90s, artists produced gritty and dark beats that often featured slowed-down samples, haunting melodies, and heavy bass. Here are some influences that phonk takes from Memphis rap.

• Memphis Underground Influence: Early phonk is heavily influenced by Memphis rap legends like Three 6 Mafia and DJ Screw. The hallmark of Memphis rap was its raw production style, where artists used minimal studio equipment to craft beats that felt intentionally gritty. Phonk maintains this aesthetic while incorporating modern production techniques.

• Chopped and Screwed Sound: The “chopped and screwed” technique, popularized by DJ Screw in the Houston hip-hop scene, involves slowing down tracks, repeating certain sections, and altering vocals to sound deeper and more distorted. Phonk’s roots are deeply intertwined with this slowed-down vibe, adding an eerie, trance-like quality to many tracks.

• Nostalgic Samples: Early phonk tracks often sampled obscure, vintage funk, soul, and rap records. These samples were given a lofi, DIY treatment to achieve a murky, nostalgic feel. This nostalgic quality is key to the genre’s appeal, as it evokes memories of 90s hip-hop culture while blending them with modern sounds.

Modern Phonk

While modern-day phonk takes heavy influence from the 90s Memphis scene, it also incorporates some new elements into the sound. Some of the most popular phonk artists like Khordell also incorporate elements of EDM and trap into their music. Booming 808s, electronic trap beats, and excellent production showcase the intricacies of modern music while staying true to the Memphis roots with dark lofi atmospheres and old-school rap samples. 

Phonk has been viral across social media for years and has been making way into genres outside of rap/hip hop recently. Artists like DXRK further EDM elements with rave songs while mega-popular rappers like $uicideBoy$ are even experimenting with phonk influences with their YIN YANG TAPES. 

Phonk has also made its way into metal music with Ghostemane, thrown, Nik Nocturnal, and Nail Bite mixing phonk, industrial, and trap influences with metal/hardcore music. 

Phonk music is continuing to grow in popularity and spawn subgengres like Drift Phonk (racing tempos and car visuals), Phonk House (with more EDM influences), and Brazilian Phonk (a more aggressive sound mixed with Brazilian funk) as it also makes its way into more and more other mainstream genres. 

Phonk Aesthetic

Phonk has evolved from simply a music genre and it now has an entire aesthetic associated with it. Often pictured with neon colors, drifting cars, glitchy cyberpunk, or anime/cartoon visuals—Phonk has a very distinct aesthetic that has become popular over the last few years, with most Phonk album/song covers featuring this style of art. 

Over the last few years, Phonk has evolved from a genre to a fully-fledged lifestyle. Along with a distinct art aesthetic it has also become a fashion style as well. Similar to streetwear clothing, Phonk fashion often features extreme metal logos, ripped or washed clothing, and dark colors.

Final Thoughts

While Phonk has its roots in 90s rap and DIY production, it is also an incredibly modern genre that uses catchy electronic music, rap, hip hop and trap, to stand out. It has become mega-popular after multiple viral trends on social media used Phonk songs and it is especially known by younger generations. Even though Phonk is a newer genre, it has made a pretty big influence on other longer-lasting genres and it will be interesting to see just how popular it may become in the future.