Perfect for work BGM too! Recommended Lo-Fi Hip Hop classics

Falling Down (ft. shiloh)nohidea

nohidea – falling down (ft. shiloh)

Based in Los Angeles, No Idea has made their presence known worldwide through online streaming.

The opening track of their 2017 album Esuna, “falling down,” has been streamed over 71.

5 million times on Spotify! Throughout the album, gentle beats with soft tones resonate, carrying a touch of melancholy.

It’s the kind of work you’ll want to sink into on a down day.

Definitely an artist to watch going forward.

SoulfulL’indecis

L’indécis – Soulful

In the genre known as lo-fi hip-hop, one of the figures often credited with sparking the boom is the French producer L’indécis, who is signed to the Netherlands-based label Chillhop Records.

Some people may have discovered him through the news that Will Smith used L’indécis’s signature track “Soulful” as background music on his own Instagram.

For those who are about to dive into L’indécis’s music, a highly recommended entry point is the compilation Playtime & Plethoria, which couples works released in 2018 and 2017.

In March 2019, it received its first-ever CD release here in Japan, making it an ideal introductory album.

The gently melancholic guitar arpeggios and comfortable beats create a nostalgia-tinged mellowness that particularly appeals to Japanese listeners, and it’s perfect for café time or as background music for work, offering an exceptional listening experience.

GenesisJinsang

genesis

This is a masterpiece album by jinsang, an artist based in the U.

S.

whose main stage is online platforms like SoundCloud.

When the album “life.” was released in 2016, jinsang said composing was just a hobby, yet he continues to put out wonderful works.

As he openly states, he’s influenced more by anime than hip-hop, so it’s music you’d listen to in your room rather than a “street” style.

Sampling from film soundtracks and old jazz, jinsang creates a unique, relaxing atmosphere.

On this album, he incorporates not only past musical works but also people’s voices and everyday ambient sounds.

He also processes each sound so the reverberation seems to echo from afar—less like a karaoke box and more like an outdoor setting.

It makes you feel as if you’re taking a walk in a neighborhood park, and the record crackle even sounds like rain or wind.

Another PerspectiveIdealism

idealism – another perspective

Even when we lump everything under “lo-fi hip-hop,” there may be typical methodologies, but artists’ approaches vary widely.

IdeaLism, a Finnish producer and one of the most popular “lo-fi hip-hop” artists on Spotify, is distinctive for weaving field recordings into lo-fi beats, creating a sound world closer to electronica, ambient, and downtempo aesthetics.

His 2017 debut album Growth was released by Vinyl Digital, a well-known German label putting out next-generation electronica and beat-driven works, which speaks to his position as a trackmaker.

The Japanese elements found in the cover artwork and in track titles like Ikigai and Ukiyo reflect his personal fondness for Japanese culture.

Since finding this album on vinyl now would be quite difficult, if you’re not particular about physical formats, it’s best to enjoy it digitally.

FlowersThe Deli

Flowers

Released in 2016 by The Deli from Austin, Texas, Vibes 3 is a calm, jazzy album that carries forward the style of its predecessor, Vibes 2.

Its sound, influenced by the boom bap that was popular in the 1990s, is reflected in the hard-hitting drum work.

On top of that, it layers the warm tones of classic American jazz reminiscent of J Dilla, resulting in melodies and harmonies that aren’t often heard in traditional boom bap—and it’s wonderfully satisfying.

MindfulnessC Y G N

C Y G N – Mindfulness

Like Randesi, the beatmaker CYGN—pronounced “Sign”—also hails from France and releases music on the renowned Dutch lo-fi hip-hop label Chillhop Music.

He’s a multi-talented artist who not only makes music but also runs a label, and unlike many lo-fi hip-hop artists who aren’t necessarily focused on physical releases, Sign’s works are often available on CD and vinyl—a welcome presence for music fans who want to keep their favorites in a tangible form.

His 2018 album Body N Soul is a masterpiece that was released on vinyl and then given a Japan-exclusive CD release in 2019.

As the retro-futuristic cover suggests, the sound carries a nostalgic, mellow, and gently funky warmth that evokes a summer evening.

The shimmering beauty of the melodic lines is also noteworthy, making it a perfect recommendation as a first foray into lo-fi hip-hop.

Monday LoopTomppabeats

Tomppabeats – Monday Loop

Tonpa Beats, known for tracks like “Monday Loop,” which samples the popular song “Again” sung by the renowned American singer and actress Doris Day, is a producer from Helsinki, Finland.

Since “Monday Loop” was released in 2015, he started his activities quite early among artists considered lo-fi hip-hop.

His tracks are usually included in lo-fi hip-hop compilation releases in Japan, and he can be called one of the essential, representative artists when discussing lo-fi hip-hop.

Tonpa Beats’s memorable debut album is Harbor LP, released in 2016.

Comprising 38 tracks, most around one minute in length, it samples not only old jazz but also sounds from Japanese anime and classic films, making it a perfect work to play casually as everyday background music.

Unfortunately, the physical release is limited to extremely rare vinyl and cassette; those who want an easy listen should check out the digital version.