Downtempo is a broad genre of electronic music characterized by an atmospheric sound and a slow-paced beat. The genre has birthed many subgenres, including trip-hop (downtempo based heavily in Bristol-area sound), [lo-fi](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-lofi-explained) (music that emphasizes recording-based imperfections), and chillhop (relaxing hip hop). 

Downtempo music is often enjoyed on its own (often in relaxation clubs) or used as a warm-up or cool-down in a DJ set to ease listeners into or out of a dance music environment. This genre is closely related to ambient music or atmospheric music that deemphasizes beat. 

Downtempo music is a relatively new phenomenon, dating back to the 1980s:

- __Beginnings__: In the late 1980s, Bristol-based artists Massive Attack, Tricky, and Portishead began experimenting with a fusion of hip hop and electronica (or electro music) that emphasized slowed-down beats and a psychedelic sound. The movement, later coined “trip-hop,” is often considered the first emergence of downtempo music. 
- __Hitting the mainstream__: By the 1990s, ambient beat-driven music had spread from Bristol and was popularly consumed under the umbrella term “downtempo music,” especially in the UK, Austria, Ibiza, and the United States. Famous artists included the Austrian duo Kruder & Dorfmeister, Fila Brazillia (made up of Britons Steve Cobby and Dave McSherry), and Thievery Corporation (made up of Americans Eric Hilton and Rob Garza). 
- __Evolution__: Downtempo music is now a wide genre encompassing several different atmospheric genres, including chillwave, lo-fi (especially lo-fi hip hop), glo-fi, chillout music, indie, downtempo electronic, psybient, psychill, [deep house music](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/deep-house-music-guide), hypnagogic pop, and chillhop. Many artists will create downtempo remixes of popular songs or craft entire playlists that can be played in the background to set the mood. 
Downtempo music is an umbrella term for many different subgenres—here are some of the unifying characteristics:

1. __Emphasis on atmosphere__: While genres like pop or rock may emphasize catchy [melodies](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/music-101-what-is-melody) or [guitar riffs](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/learn-about-guitar-riffs-tips-and-tricks-for-playing-your-own-riffs), downtempo music is focused primarily on atmosphere—using different layered sounds to create a particular mood or tone that is chill and slow-paced. 
2. __Slow beat__: “Downtempo” literally means “slow beat,” in music terminology, so all of the songs in the genre will incorporate a slow-paced beat (usually around 90 beats per minute, or BPM) rather than a fast, dance-oriented one. However, the presence of a beat is still important for downtempo songs—songs with little to no beat are usually classified as “ambient” rather than downtempo. 
3. __Gentle melody__: Downtempo music usually incorporates more melody into their songs than other ambient genres, making it slightly more recognizable and memorable than purely ambient music. 

Here are some popular downtempo artists throughout the years:

1. __Boards of Canada__: Scottish downtempo band Boards of Canada, made up of musician duo Michael Sandison and Marcus Eoin, employs vintage [synthesizers](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-do-synthesizers-work) and samples from old media (like 1970s public broadcasting) to create an analog sense of nostalgia in their work.
2. __Bonobo__: Bonobo is a British musician who has explored many sounds, including trip-hop, [jazz](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-jazz), and world music. In 2017, the acclaimed musician released *Migration*, his sixth album, which received multiple Grammy nominations. Bonobo composed the album while living in various locations around the world, which inspired the title.
3. __Nicolas Jaar__: Chilean-American musician Nicolas Jaar is known for experimentation, developing many disparate works like film scores and improvisational concerts alongside his studio albums. 
4. __Thievery Corporation__: American group Thievery Corporation combines several sounds—from [reggae](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/reggae-music-guide) to acid jazz—in their eclectic downtempo sound. 
5. __Tycho__: American musician and producer Tycho is known for incorporating ambient sounds into his downtempo music, including weather broadcasts, film dialogue, and breathing. 

Become a better musician with the [MasterClass Annual Membership](https://www.masterclass.com). Gain access to exclusive video lessons taught by the world’s best, including Armin van Buuren, St. Vincent, deadmau5, Usher, Timbaland, Sheila E., Tom Morello, and more.
From lo-fi hip hop to psychill, downtempo music is a modern staple on streaming services for its relaxing, atmospheric-based beats. 


From lo-fi hip hop to psychill, downtempo music is a modern staple on streaming services for its relaxing, atmospheric-based beats. 


Downtempo Music Guide: 5 Popular Downtempo Musical Acts

Downtempo is a broad genre of electronic music characterized by an atmospheric sound and a slow-paced beat. The genre has birthed many subgenres, including trip-hop (downtempo based heavily in Bristol-area sound), <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-lofi-explained' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-lofi-explained","linkCopy":"lo-fi","category":null}'>lo-fi</a> (music that emphasizes recording-based imperfections), and chillhop (relaxing hip hop). Downtempo music is often enjoyed on its own (often in relaxation clubs) or used as a warm-up or cool-down in a DJ set to ease listeners into or out of a dance music environment. This genre is closely related to ambient music or atmospheric music that deemphasizes beat.

What Is Downtempo?

Downtempo music is a relatively new phenomenon, dating back to the 1980s:<ul class="mc-m-4 list-styled"><li class="">Beginnings: In the late 1980s, Bristol-based artists Massive Attack, Tricky, and Portishead began experimenting with a fusion of hip hop and electronica (or electro music) that emphasized slowed-down beats and a psychedelic sound. The movement, later coined “trip-hop,” is often considered the first emergence of downtempo music. </li><li class="">Hitting the mainstream: By the 1990s, ambient beat-driven music had spread from Bristol and was popularly consumed under the umbrella term “downtempo music,” especially in the UK, Austria, Ibiza, and the United States. Famous artists included the Austrian duo Kruder &amp; Dorfmeister, Fila Brazillia (made up of Britons Steve Cobby and Dave McSherry), and Thievery Corporation (made up of Americans Eric Hilton and Rob Garza). </li><li class="">Evolution: Downtempo music is now a wide genre encompassing several different atmospheric genres, including chillwave, lo-fi (especially lo-fi hip hop), glo-fi, chillout music, indie, downtempo electronic, psybient, psychill, <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/deep-house-music-guide' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/deep-house-music-guide","linkCopy":"deep house music","category":null}'>deep house music</a>, hypnagogic pop, and chillhop. Many artists will create downtempo remixes of popular songs or craft entire playlists that can be played in the background to set the mood. </li></ul>

A Brief History of Downtempo Music

Downtempo music is an umbrella term for many different subgenres—here are some of the unifying characteristics:<ol class="mc-m-4"><li class="mc-my-4"> 1. Emphasis on atmosphere: While genres like pop or rock may emphasize catchy <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/music-101-what-is-melody' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/music-101-what-is-melody","linkCopy":"melodies","category":null}'>melodies</a> or <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/learn-about-guitar-riffs-tips-and-tricks-for-playing-your-own-riffs' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/learn-about-guitar-riffs-tips-and-tricks-for-playing-your-own-riffs","linkCopy":"guitar riffs","category":null}'>guitar riffs</a>, downtempo music is focused primarily on atmosphere—using different layered sounds to create a particular mood or tone that is chill and slow-paced. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 2. Slow beat: “Downtempo” literally means “slow beat,” in music terminology, so all of the songs in the genre will incorporate a slow-paced beat (usually around 90 beats per minute, or BPM) rather than a fast, dance-oriented one. However, the presence of a beat is still important for downtempo songs—songs with little to no beat are usually classified as “ambient” rather than downtempo. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 3. Gentle melody: Downtempo music usually incorporates more melody into their songs than other ambient genres, making it slightly more recognizable and memorable than purely ambient music. </li></ol>

3 Characteristics of Downtempo Music

Here are some popular downtempo artists throughout the years:<ol class="mc-m-4"><li class="mc-my-4"> 1. Boards of Canada: Scottish downtempo band Boards of Canada, made up of musician duo Michael Sandison and Marcus Eoin, employs vintage <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-do-synthesizers-work' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-do-synthesizers-work","linkCopy":"synthesizers","category":null}'>synthesizers</a> and samples from old media (like 1970s public broadcasting) to create an analog sense of nostalgia in their work. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 2. Bonobo: Bonobo is a British musician who has explored many sounds, including trip-hop, <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-jazz' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-jazz","linkCopy":"jazz","category":null}'>jazz</a>, and world music. In 2017, the acclaimed musician released Migration, his sixth album, which received multiple Grammy nominations. Bonobo composed the album while living in various locations around the world, which inspired the title. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 3. Nicolas Jaar: Chilean-American musician Nicolas Jaar is known for experimentation, developing many disparate works like film scores and improvisational concerts alongside his studio albums. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 4. Thievery Corporation: American group Thievery Corporation combines several sounds—from <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/reggae-music-guide' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/reggae-music-guide","linkCopy":"reggae","category":null}'>reggae</a> to acid jazz—in their eclectic downtempo sound. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 5. Tycho: American musician and producer Tycho is known for incorporating ambient sounds into his downtempo music, including weather broadcasts, film dialogue, and breathing. </li></ol>

5 Popular Downtempo Musical Acts

Become a better musician with the <a href='https://www.masterclass.com' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com","linkCopy":"MasterClass Annual Membership","category":null}'>MasterClass Annual Membership</a>. Gain access to exclusive video lessons taught by the world’s best, including Armin van Buuren, St. Vincent, deadmau5, Usher, Timbaland, Sheila E., Tom Morello, and more.

Want to Learn More About Music?

From lo-fi hip hop to psychill, downtempo music is a modern staple on streaming services for its relaxing, atmospheric-based beats.