Lofi hip hop beats are not just for very online sad boys

They're for everyone

The past three weeks have been intense. I quit my draining day job to pursue writing full-time, decided to leave DC to move back to NY, freelanced part-time, and wrote weekly blog posts whenever I had a drop of down time — all while keeping myself alive and ensuring my friends and family are okay during the pandemic. Meals have been greasy and nutrient deficient, sleep is inconsistent, and my last brain cell is fighting to stay alive. Truth be told, I am exhausted; a couple tasks away from complete burnout. 

If there is one thing keeping me productive and sane during these crazy, uncertain times, it is the sweet, invigorating sound of lofi hip hop. There is nothing as satisfying as an instrumental track that enhances concentration, relieves anxiety, and animates your life all at once. The monotony of wage labor, the tortuous process of writing, and the emotional burden that comes with living under late-stage capitalism is made bearable by music produced by hipster European dudes. 

According to writer Julia Alexander, “Lofi Hip Hop refers to a genre of music that mashes up traditional hip-hop and jazz elements to create an atmospheric, instrumental soundscape.” A number of lofi hip hop beats exist, differentiated by rhythm, tempo, and mood. Steady, upbeat tracks are perfect for working, and slower, more drawn out beats — layered with ambient noise — create the perfect soundtrack for daydreaming. While lyrics are uncommon, some songs sample dialogue from voicemails, movies, and TV shows that tug at your heart strings.

Despite the richness and popularity of the genre, most people recognize it from the ‘lofi hip hop radio - beats to relax/study to‘ YouTube video, a 24/7 music livestream of a playlist curated by ChilledCow. The music is played with a clip on-loop of a nameless sleepy teenage anime girl writing in her notebook, nodding off into a bored slumber. 

The Japanese aesthetic of the livestream became so popular that fans created their own variations, using different figures and backgrounds in their visuals. “1AM Sessions”  features the original girl falling asleep on her balcony, a “warm afternoon session” takes you down a Japanese street at sunset, and racoons go on walks jamming out to niche Soundcloud artists. It is a slice of internet culture that feels so specific and small, yet is somehow pervasive and widely understood. ChilledCow livestreams have at least 20,000 listeners at any given time, and spinoff playlists have accrued tens and millions of views. Even Spotify playlists alike have millions of followers.

If artists like goosetaf, Thaehan, and eaup do not sound familiar to you, then you are probably normal. Most lofi hip hop artists are independent producers with obscure names and small digital footprints; a handful of the hundreds of artists featured on the dozens of “Lo-fi Beats” playlists generated by Spotify algorithms. 

It's frustrating how lofi hip hop producers do not receive the recognition they deserve. The fact that there are articles, playlists, YouTube videos, and online message forums dedicated to the genre is indicative of the subtle impact these songs have on young people’s lives. That impact deserves some credit. 

I know this sounds dramatic, but lofi hip hop has changed the way I go through the motions of life. It has slightly relieved the heavy burden of labor, and has made loneliness feel a bit more like solitude. Whether you need music to make working on spreadsheets a bit more enjoyable, or a chill, easy-to-listen-to soundtrack to bake bread to, lofi hip hop beats are perfect for any situation. 

The ChilledCow live streams may not be the proper substitute for exercise, breaks, and sleep, but they do help reduce the friction of continous labor. Until I finally reconcile with my toxic relationship to work, ‘lofi hip hop radio - beats to relax/study to’ will continue to play in the background; loudest during my hardest moments.