Trip-hop is a psychedelic fusion of hip-hop and electronica with slow tempos and an atmospheric sound

Trip-hop is defined as a psychedelic fusion of hip-hop and electronica characterized by slow tempos (roughly 60–100 BPM), atmospheric production, and bass-heavy breakbeats. It emerged from the Bristol Sound scene of the late 1980s–early 1990s, fusing hip-hop sampling and rhythm techniques with influences from jazz, soul, funk, dub, and psychedelia. The genre achieved mainstream commercial success in the mid-1990s and has been called ‘Europe’s alternative choice in the second half of the ’90s.’ It is distinct from US hip-hop in mood and lyrical content: atmosphere and introspection replace bravado.

Examples

Core records: Massive Attack — Blue Lines (1991), Portishead — Dummy (1994), Tricky — Maxinquaye (1995), DJ Shadow — Endtroducing… (1996).

Assessment

List three defining sonic characteristics of trip-hop and name one album that exemplifies each.