Slow, syrupy beats that melt time and space. 60–80 BPM.
Chopped And Screwed is a hip-hop subgenre originating in Houston, Texas in the early 1990s. It involves slowing down the tempo of a song (typically to 60-80 BPM) and applying techniques like skipping beats, record stopping, and pitch-shifting vocals to create a hypnotic, syrupy sound. The style was pioneered by DJ Screw and is closely associated with Southern hip-hop culture.
The defining artists of Chopped And Screwed — the names that shaped the sound. Tap to hear on Spotify.
The classic anthems and current essentials that define Chopped And Screwed.
Chopped And Screwed is characterized by a dramatically slowed-down tempo (typically 60-80 BPM), creating a hypnotic, dragging feel. Vocals are pitch-shifted downward, often sounding deep and syrupy. Beats are 'chopped' — sections of the song are repeated, skipped, or rearranged, often with record stop effects and abrupt cuts. The overall sound is hazy, relaxed, and immersive, often evoking a sense of intoxication or altered consciousness.
Chopped And Screwed originated in Houston, Texas, in the early 1990s, pioneered by DJ Screw (Robert Earl Davis Jr.). He created the signature sound by slowing down vinyl records on turntables and using a technique called 'chopping' to rearrange beats and verses. The style became synonymous with the city's hip-hop scene, often associated with sipping codeine-laced syrup (lean).
Throughout the 1990s, the genre spread through mixtapes and underground channels, influencing artists like UGK, Lil Wayne, and later A$AP Rocky. The 'screw' sound became a staple of Southern hip-hop, with DJs like Michael '5000' Watts and OG Ron C popularizing it further. In the 2000s, the style crossed over into mainstream pop and R&B remixes.
Culturally, Chopped And Screwed reflects the slow, laid-back lifestyle of Houston's hip-hop community. It has been both celebrated for its innovation and criticized for its association with lean consumption. Despite this, the genre remains influential, with modern producers incorporating its techniques into trap and cloud rap.
How Chopped And Screwed is built — drum pattern, swing, and the sounds you need.
To produce Chopped And Screwed, start with a standard hip-hop track (usually 70-100 BPM) and slow it down by 20-30% using a DAW or turntable pitch control. The BPM should feel sluggish, around 60-80. Use a sampler to 'chop' the beat — isolate drum hits, vocal phrases, and melodic loops, then rearrange them in a non-linear fashion. Apply effects like pitch shift (down 2-4 semitones), reverb, and delay to vocals. The drum pattern should be sparse, with heavy kick and snare hits that drag slightly. Swing is minimal; the groove comes from the slowed tempo and choppy edits. Common samples include soul, funk, and R&B records, often with a dusty, lo-fi quality.
Hand-picked, updated weekly. Best for Chilling, Late night drives, Smoking sessions.
Every playlist on Dropo is hand-picked by real musicians, not algorithm-generated. We listen, we pick, we keep it fresh. About Dropo →