When making lofi hiphop, should I make it rappable or not?

When creating lofi hip-hop, whether or not to make it “rappable” depends on your goals and the specific audience you are targeting. Lofi hip-hop is a genre known for its relaxed, mellow beats and often serves as background music for studying, relaxing, or casual listening. Here are a few considerations to help you decide:

1. Intended Use and Audience

Background Music: If your primary goal is to create music that serves as a background soundtrack for activities like studying, working, or chilling, focusing on the instrumental aspect with less emphasis on making it rappable might be more appropriate.
Vocal Collaboration: If you’re open to or specifically aiming for collaboration with rappers or vocal artists, creating beats that allow space for vocals can expand your audience and usage of the tracks.

2. Characteristics of Lofi Hip-Hop

Instrumental Focus: Traditional lofi hip-hop often emphasizes the instrumental side, with a strong focus on creating a specific mood or atmosphere. Beats might be repetitive and not necessarily structured to accommodate rap flows.
Vocal Samples: Some lofi tracks incorporate vocal samples, which can add a human element without necessarily making the track suited for rapping.

3. Personal Style and Innovation

Experimentation: Your personal style and desire to innovate within the genre could lead you to blend elements in new ways, including creating lofi beats that are more conducive to rapping.
Audience Engagement: Engaging with your audience to understand their preferences can also guide your decision. If there’s a demand for more rappable lofi beats, it could be a niche worth exploring.

4. Market Trends

Emerging Artists: There’s a growing trend of artists who blend spoken word, rap, and singing over lofi beats, indicating a market for such tracks.
Streaming Platforms: Platforms like Spotify and YouTube have playlists dedicated to lofi hip-hop, some of which feature tracks that could accommodate rapping. Researching these can give insights into current trends.

Conclusion

Ultimately, the choice should align with your creative vision, the needs of your target audience, and how you want your music to be used. Making lofi hip-hop that is rappable can open up additional opportunities for collaboration and diversify your audience, but it’s not a requirement for the genre. Experimentation and feedback from listeners can be valuable guides as you develop your unique sound within lofi hip-hop.