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Kiana Ledé - Goes 'Deeper' About Hard Work & Perseverance

May 18, 2023

Kiana Ledé has been rocking in the R&B scene and her latest single “Jealous” continues this trend. The other day, Sonical.ly had the chance to sit down and talk with Ledé about her musical journey.

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DJ Khalil - The Secrets to a 5x Grammy Award Winning Career as a Music Producer

May 18, 2023

Anyone within the hip-hop scene knows the name, DJ Khalil. He gained popularity for both his music-producing and DJing skills. The other day, Sonical.ly had a chance to sit down and talk with DJ Khal

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Ed Sheeran Successfully Defends Himself in Copyright Trial

May 7, 2023

Copyright infringement cases are very much on the rise in the music industry. Recently, Ed Sheeran was on the receiving end of one. Fortunately for him and the music industry as a whole, he won. Who

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How AI Technology Impacts Artists’ Rights

April 28, 2023

Artificial Intelligence (aka AI) is not a new thing. It has been used for various purposes like social media algorithms and Siri on your phone. However, for the first time, AI is being used in

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Who is Kiana Ledé?: The Story Behind the “Jealous” Singer

April 28, 2023

From Kidz Bop idol to R&B and pop singer, Kiana Ledé has fully planted herself within the music industry. The release of her latest single “Jealous” featuring Ella Mai adds to her growing achievements

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Breaking The Silence: A Look At Mental Health In The K-pop Industry

April 23, 2023

In the past few years, the K-pop culture has experienced a number of suicides, which has devastated the Korean entertainment industry. Sulli from f(x), Jonghyun from SHINee, Goo Hara from KARA, and

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Breaking Down The Genius of SZA’s Album ‘SOS’

April 20, 2023

Since SZA has released her latest album ‘SOS’, it has made a lot of buzz in the music industry. The album has received positive reviews for its combination of R&B, pop, and hip-hop and featured.....

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Korean Indie/Pop Rock Bands You Need To Know: Day6, The Rose, & HYUKOH

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With K-pop bands like BTS, BLACKPINK, TWICE, and SEVENTEEN, Korean music has been on the rise over the past ten years. But Korea’s music culture doesn’t stop there....

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Show Me The Money: South Korea’s No. 1 Rap Competition

April 10, 2023

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WONHO: Rising Success After Departure From Monsta X

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In October 2019, member of the K-pop group Monsta X, WONHO, faced allegations of drug usage, resulting in his departure from the group. Fans were disheartened by the news of him leaving and wondered..

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BMI’s Court Case Win Helps Songwriters in the Live Music Industry

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Songwriters, composers, and publishers have long been underpaid when it comes to the live concert industry. However, a successful court case may be the first step to changing that.....

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How Has Social Media and Music Platforms Influenced and Evolved Music Creators?

March 28, 2023

Society has always placed a high value on music. As technology starts to become more part of our lives, social media and music platforms have become more and more prominent in the music business....

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Why Phonk Is Taking Over: The Sound, Style, and Secrets Behind the Genre

Sabrina Carpenter’s Short n’ Sweet

Over the last few years, phonk has exploded from underground SoundCloud mixes into mainstream playlists and TikTok trends. You’ve probably heard its gritty, nostalgic energy like the dark bass lines, chopped vocals, and a car shaking from the low end. But what exactly is phonk, and how do artists like Slxughter, Kordhell or Interworld make that signature sound?

What Makes a Song “Phonk”?

Phonk started in the early 2010s as a blend of Memphis rap, lo-fi hip-hop, and trap. Early producers pulled together samples from 90s Memphis rappers, especially distorted acapellas from tape-era freestyles and layered them over slow, haunting beats.

A few hallmarks make a track unmistakably phonk:

  • Distorted 808 bass that hits hard but feels raw, almost “dirty.”
  • Chopped vocal samples from Memphis rap or Southern hip-hop tapes.
  • Lo-fi textures—vinyl crackle, analog warmth, and dark, moody atmospheres.
  • Cowbells or vintage drum machine hits, often from the Roland TR-808.
  • A tempo usually between 90–110 BPM, slow enough to nod your head to but heavy enough for car bass systems.

Some substyles, like drift phonk, take this even further with sped-up tempos, more aggressive distortion, and catchy leads designed for car drifting or gym edits.

How the Phonk Sound Is Made

If you’re a beginner producer, the appeal of phonk is how hands-on it feels. Here’s a quick breakdown of how producers typically craft that signature tone:
  1. Start with a sample. Find a Memphis-style rap acapella or an old funk/soul loop with a dark mood.
  2. Build the drum pattern. Use 808 kicks, sharp hi-hats, and cowbells. Keep it simple but heavy.
  3. Design the bass. The bassline drives phonk. Use an 808 or reese bass, then apply distortion (plugins like Fruity Fast Dist or Soundtoys Decapitator work great).
  4. Add atmosphere. Layer vinyl crackle, ambient noise, or reverb to give an old-tape vibe.
  5. Mix loosely. Don’t over-polish because part of phonk’s charm is its rough, underground energy.

Phonk’s popularity shows how modern producers love mixing nostalgia with innovation. For beginners, it’s an ideal genre to experiment with: low barrier to entry, recognizable sound, and tons of creative space! 

Why Phonk Is Taking Over: The Sound, Style, and Secrets Behind the Genrewhy-phonk-is-taking-over-the-sound-style-and-secrets-behind-the-genreJaisha VallianiMar 02, 2026Over the last few years, phonk has exploded from underground SoundCloud mixes into mainstream playlists and TikTok trends. You’ve probably heard its gritty, nostalgic energy like the dark bass...