If there’s one element that defines the sound and energy of hip-hop, it’s the bass. From the earliest moments of the genre in the 1980s, what set hip-hop apart from other styles of music was its unwavering love affair with the low end.

In this guide, we’ll explore the crucial role basslines have played in shaping the genre. We will examine how basslines are used across different hip-hop subgenres and then focus on the various types of bass sounds used by beatmakers and producers.

Let the Rhythm Hit em’

Hip-hop is fundamentally driven by rhythm, and at the core of that rhythm is the relationship between drums and bassline. And while hip-hop drums are the bedrock of most hip-hop beats, the bassline is crucial in enhancing the drums and providing a coherent link to the melodic elements of a track. (For more on hip-hop drums, check out this post)

The beats that hit hardest often feature basslines carefully crafted to complement the drum pattern. For instance, prominent bass notes that fall on the kick and snare can give the beat added impact, while short, syncopated notes in between drum hits help create bounce and swing.

As with most genres, hip-hop beats have many separate styles and sub-genres. Each one will approach the bassline differently. Let’s break down some of the main sub-genres and discuss the part basslines play in each one.

Boom Bap

Boom Bap was developed and popularised in the 90’s and is often considered the most traditional beat style due to its roots in sampled breakbeats. Its basslines are arguably the most varied across all subgenres, largely because Boom Bap producers draw from an incredibly wide range of samples: jazz, soul, prog rock, soundtracks; literally nothing is off the menu. The key, therefore with boom bap beats, is to match the bass sound and playing style to the music being sampled.

A key technique within Boom Bap is the use of filtered basslines, where a low-pass filter is applied to a sample loop to isolate the bass frequencies. This preserves the groove and feel of the original track being sampled. Thanks to modern stem-separation tools, producers can now isolate the bass altogether, making this technique less necessary.

Alternatively, another popular technique is to filter out much of the low frequency and add your own bassline. Boom Bap producers such as Pete Rock, DJ Premier and Just Blaze are masters of this technique. The advantages of this approach is it allows you to match the bassline perfectly with the drum pattern. You are also free to find bass sounds that perfectly complement and enhance the style of sample.

Trap

While Boom Bap encourages a wide variety of bass sources, Trap is largely built around one sound source: the Roland TR-808. In early trap production, innovators like Zaytoven and Lex Luger took the kick drum from the 808 and extended its decay, effectively turning it into a sub bass note.

These long, resonating kicks were then mapped across the keyboard and played melodically up and down the scale — turning them into the iconic 808 basslines that define the genre. This gave trap its deep, rolling low-end presence, often paired with rapid hi-hats and dark, minimal melodies.

Over time, producers began pushing the technique further, introducing pitch bends, glides, and distortion to give the 808s more character and aggression. Though musical trends may shift, the 808 bass remains a defining and enduring staple of trap production.

Drill

Drill, first emerged from Chicago in the early 2010’s, later evolving in the UK and New York. The gritty gang-inspired lyrics in Drill are its defining feature but musically it has developed its own distinct sound. It is defined by its dark, moody atmosphere. And just like trap beats, at the core of that sound, we have the 808 bassline. The way the 808s are deployed is even more elaborate and expressive than trap. Most notably drill beats have really ran with the gliding 808 effect that was first pioneered in Trap. This technique bends the 808 notes between pitches, giving drill beats their signature tension and unease.

Unlike trap, which often uses rolling hi-hats and booming kicks, drill drums are more staggered and off-kilter, with syncopated snare placements that give the beats a stop-start, unpredictable groove. The basslines in drill mirror this energy. Unlike the long decays of trap 808s Drill basslines can be short, staccato, and rhythmically locked to the drums.

Pioneering producers like 808Melo, Ghosty, and AXL Beats helped define this sound, blending clean sub-bass with glides, distortion, and intricately shaped envelopes. Their productions pushed the drill bassline beyond simple low-end support, to a central feature of the beats melody.

West Coast/G-Funk

By the late ’80s, hip-hop had become a global phenomenon, and regional styles began to flourish. On the West Coast, producers like Dr. Dre and DJ Quik took inspiration from 1970s P-Funk, creating what became known as G-Funk. This distinctive style was perfect for low riding and had a more synth-laced and summery feel to it.

G-Funk placed heavy emphasis on synth basslines, often played on classic analogue instruments like the Minimoog and ARP Odyssey. These basslines were melodic, funky, and highly syncopated, designed to groove with laid-back drum patterns, wha-wha guitar features and synth-driven leads.

While on the East Coast producers were getting their fingers dusty digging in the crates and sampling, G-Funk producers favoured interpolations of classic funk and soul records. And when they did sample a song, as in the case of Leon Haywood’s “I Wanna Do Something Freaky to You” as sampled in Dre’s Nuthin’ but a G Thang it would be heavily layered with additional synths and textures.

Club Style Hip-Hop

Club-style hip hop blends rap with elements of EDM, Jersey Club, and bounce music. The basslines used reflect that high-energy fusion. Unlike trap’s long deep, gliding 808s, club beats often use shorter, punchier synth basses that sit higher in the mix, emphasising the tracks rhythm

These basslines are typically built using keyboard synth patches. Common types of bass sounds include saw waves, distorted subs, or Reese-style tones. Sidechaining or basslines that tightly synchronise with the faster, bouncier drum patterns is also a feature. The result is a more percussive low end, designed to move crowds rather than create atmosphere or mood.

Producers working in this style pull heavily from club traditions, and artists like Bandmanrill and 2Rare have helped bring this energetic, bass-forward sound to the forefront of modern hip hop.

The Main Types of Bass Sound

Now that we’ve explored how basslines function across different hip-hop styles, let’s take a look at some of the most common types of bass sounds producers use to shape the low end.

1. 808 Bass

Since the birth of trap music, the 808 has reigned supreme and had an indelible impact on the sonic qualities of hip hop. With its low frequency charm, the 808 bass is the perfect tool to rumble both club and car speakers. It can be used just as effectively as a single-pitched kick drum layer or as a complex, pitch-bent melodically driving bassline. We certainly haven’t seen the last of the 808. And if you want a neat hack to help you write the perfect 808 bassline, check out this post.

2. Electric Bass Guitar

A staple across all genres, the electric bass adds warmth and groove to hip-hop beats, particularly in Boom Bap or soulful sample-based tracks. One thing that hip-hop electric bass sounds share is a lack of mid-range and high-frequency detail. In hip-hop beats the electric bass sound is often filtered or EQ’d to remove these frequencies. To hear a fantastic example of electric bass being used to great effect in a boom bap beat check out this excellent track produced by king of the bassline, Pete Rock.

3. Sub Bass

Sub bass sits at the very bottom of the frequency spectrum, offering pure low-end rumble. It works well in minimal arrangements where there’s space for it to shine. Think of it as a bridge between 808s and synth bass, tight, clean, and felt more than heard. To hear Sub Bass being used effectively, check out the following track by Slum Village, produced by serial Sub Bass abuser J Dilla.

4. Synth Bass

As the name suggests, a synth bass is a bass sound that originates from a synthesiser, predominantly the analogue variety. And because synths are endlessly tweakable, Synth basses come in a wide range of sounds. They can range from subtle and pure to buzzy and gnarly. Synth basses tend to be more prominent in the mix and are great for funky melodic basslines. This is why they are heavily used in G-Funk music, where the bass often drives the track. In our example track, producer/rapper Eric Sermon uses a squidgy sounding synth bass to great effect. The bass line is used to write the melody part over some sparse pads and plucks.

5. Upright/Double Bass

The upright or double bass is a staple of jazz music and therefore a bit more of a niche bass choice in hip-hop. Its heyday was during the 90’s when producers started to explore Jazz samples. Most Upright basslines in hip-hop are sampled because it is not as easy to produce and program realistic-sounding double bass sounds. With its distinct sound, it can add fantastic character when used in hip-hop beats as showcased in this classic example from lovers of jazz samples, A Tribe Called Quest.

Summary

Basslines are more than just low-end support when it comes to hip hop beats. They’re a key part of the music’s identity and character. Whether it’s the warmth of a filtered sample in a boom bap beat or the deep glide of an 808 in drill, the bassline helps to drive hip-hop beats and provides the essential energy to give it impact and gravitas. It connects rhythm with melody and can shape how a beat moves, feels, and hits.

For producers, understanding the different roles bass can play across styles is essential to crafting music that sounds authentic and impactful.

And if you are looking for that perfect hip-hop bassline for your next project then RouteNote Create has you covered. sign-up now and take your music to the next level