BPM by genre

Phonk

140 BPM typical

Range: 120–160 BPM

Phonk sits at 140 BPM as its center of gravity, with most tracks landing anywhere between 120 and 160 BPM depending on the flavor. Drift phonk pushes toward the faster, aggressive end (130–150, typically 140), while Memphis phonk stays slower and grimier (120–140, typically 130). The cowbell-driven groove and that distorted 808 are what define the sound far more than any one tempo.

Subgenres

Subgenre	Typical	Range
Drift phonk	140	130–150
Memphis phonk	130	120–140

Production notes

Build the groove around the signature cowbell melody and a hard, distorted 808 bass — at 140 BPM the cowbell pattern usually rides in eighths and sixteenths to keep the energy moving. Keep the drums punchy and slightly lo-fi: saturated kicks, crisp trap hi-hats with rolls and triplets, and heavy 808 glides that you tune to the key of your melody. For drift phonk lean into aggressive distortion, sidechain the 808 against the kick, and let the cowbell carry the hook; for Memphis phonk pull the tempo back toward 130, add vinyl crackle, tape hiss, and chopped vocal samples for that grimy 90s feel. Master loud and bass-forward — phonk is meant to hit hard in cars and on phone speakers alike.

Typical structure

Phonk tracks are loop-driven and short, usually a quick intro into a hard-hitting cowbell-and-808 main section, with a drop or beat switch around the midpoint and an abrupt outro. Most run 1.5 to 2.5 minutes, built for playlists and short-form video.

FAQ

How many BPM is phonk?

Phonk typically sits at 140 BPM, with a usable range of roughly 120 to 160 BPM. Drift phonk usually lands around 140 (130u2013150) and Memphis phonk around 130 (120u2013140).

What is the difference between drift phonk and Memphis phonk?

Drift phonk is faster and more aggressive (130u2013150 BPM, typically 140), built around distorted cowbell melodies and heavy 808s for high-energy edits. Memphis phonk is slower and grimier (120u2013140 BPM, typically 130), drawing on chopped 90s Memphis rap samples, vinyl crackle, and a darker, lo-fi vibe.

What BPM should I make a phonk beat at?

Start at 140 BPM for a versatile drift-phonk feel, or drop to 130 if you want a darker Memphis sound. Anything from 120 to 160 stays within the genre u2014 just match the cowbell and 808 energy to the tempo you pick.

Related genres

Latin Trap

Boom Bap

Lo-fi Hip Hop

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