The Rhyme Game
BPM ranges by genre
BPM (beats per minute) tells you how fast a beat moves. Each rap genre has a tempo range it usually sits in, and the tempo decides how much time you get to land a word. Every row below links to a free beat at that tempo so you can feel the difference instead of just reading about it.
The tempo map
| Genre | Typical BPM | How it feels | Practice beat |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lo-fi hip-hop | 70-90 | Slow, lots of space between hits | Lo-Fi · 85 |
| Boom bap | 85-95 | The classic head-nod pocket | Rosé · 90 |
| Afrobeats | 100-115 | Rolling, danceable, syncopated | Afrobeat · 105 |
| Bounce | 100-115 | Springy, club-ready | Bizzle · 110 |
| Drill | 135-145 | Fast hi-hats, sliding 808s | Sergeant · 135 |
| Trap | 130-150 | Half-time bounce over rapid hi-hats | Trap · 140 |
Trap and drill are often written in double time: a 140 BPM trap beat can feel like 70 because the snare lands on beat 3. When you practice, trust your foot, not the number.
What tempo does to your flow
At 85-95 BPM you get roughly 1.5 seconds per bar of breathing room per beat gap, enough to think of a rhyme and say it cleanly. At 135 and up, that window shrinks by half, and fillers like "uh" and "you know" start eating your bars. That is why beginners stall on drill beats: the words are there, the time is not.
The fix is boring and works: practice slow until the rhymes come out on their own, then move the tempo up. In the game you can pick the beat before every run, so the ladder is built in.
Frequently asked questions
What BPM is drill?
Usually 135-145 BPM. UK drill sits near 140-142, and the hi-hats run in triplet patterns over the top. Our drill beat Sergeant runs at 135, slow enough to learn the pocket before you speed up.
What BPM is lo-fi?
Lo-fi hip-hop usually lives at 70-90 BPM. The slow tempo is part of the point: long gaps, soft drums, room to think.
What BPM is trap?
130-150 BPM, felt in half time. The hi-hats sprint while the snare stays lazy, which is why trap flows often sit behind the beat.
What BPM should a beginner practice at?
Start at 85-95 (lo-fi or boom bap). You want a tempo where you can land every word without rushing, then climb 5-10 BPM at a time. Speed is a byproduct of not panicking.