When legendary DJ Grand Wizzard Theodore first invented the technique of scratching and needle-dropping in 1975, it opened up a portal into a world of possibilities, creating new styles and sounds by altering records. Fast-forward to 1983, jazz pianist Herbie Hancock teamed up with Bill Laswell and Michael Beinhorn to write and produce “Rockit,” a landmark track that prominently showcased the turntable as an instrument during televised performances at the 1985 Grammys. Buoyed by the success of the music video on MTV, this sensation hit a generation of kids who would go on to create new sounds from records in unconventional ways.
In the decades since, we’ve witnessed many iterations, propelled by the increasing accessibility of technology. Before music software became available in the palm of your hands, DJ Screw took things to a new level with his wildly influential “chopped and screwed” technique, slowing beats down to around 60 or 70 bpm. Screw put Houston on the map for a style of hip-hop that also paved the way for the likes of Memphis’s iconic Three 6 Mafia. Soon, classic chopped versions were making their marks on hip-hop from north to south, with Notorious B.I.G.’s “Juicy” “screwed” by DJ Screw and UGK’s “International Players Anthem” “chopped” by OG Ron C, just to name a few.
Today, producers of all levels continue to run with this phenomenon, creating “slowed” or “slowed + reverb” versions of tracks spanning genres and decades. As producers of all levels put their own signature-slowed spin on tracks ranging from Tame Impala and Beach House to Justin Bieber and Doja Cat, the #SlowedDown sub-genre has emerged, breathing new life into classic favorites. We’ve put together a collection of slowed tracks that have been making waves on SoundCloud and beyond.
LISTEN TO THE SLOWED TRACKS PLAYLIST ON SOUNDCLOUD NOW
Jeremih, “Changes” (Slowed)
He’s got a classic R&B falsetto, but on this remake of his 2022 single, the Chicago singer makes a change, dropping down an octave.
Miguel, “Sure Thing” (slowed + reverb)
“Sure Thing,” first appeared on the acclaimed R&B star’s debut album back in 2010. Since then the track has proved to be timeless with reinventions starting with Lil Wayne jumping on the 2011 remix, then again more than a decade later with a crazy viral sped-up version and most recently with this slowed + reverb version in 2023, which has proved to be a sure thing.
Armani White, “GOATED” (Slowed Down)
On the slowed remake, guest rapper Denzel Curry’s rapid flow from the original version sounds like it’s weighed down with the trappings of success.
Juice WORLD, “Wasted” feat. Lil Uzi Vert (Sail Slowed + Reverb)
It was already a relatively slow track when Juice released this one in 2018. But it’s even more eerie in its slowed version, with the late rapper’s high voice pitched down.
Justin Bieber, “Confident” (Sarah Maloney TikTok Slowed Remix)
The last of 10 singles that Bieb released each week during a promotional run in 2013, here “Confident” gets a self-assured slowed remix for the TikTok crowd.
The Neighbourhood, “Daddy Issues” (tiktok remix + slowed)
As the name implies, it’s based on the Neighbourhood’s “Daddy Issues,” a song that explores a relationship that may be happening because the two parties share some specific emotions, now with a slowed tempo.
JuiceWRLD, “My X Was Poison” 999 REMIX (slowed)
Originally released on the late rapper’s SoundCloud in 2017, here “My X Was Poison” gets chopped up and slowed to crawl.
PHANTOGRAM, “Black Out Days” (Future Islands Remix Slowed)
Describing their sound as “street beat, psych pop,” Sarah Barthel and Josh Carter released their song “Black Out Days” nearly a decade ago. Here it’s lost a step or two, by design.
Sally Sossa, “Star Song” (Slowed + Reverb Mix)
Slowed from its original acoustic version (2020), Sally’s downturned vocal blends with guest Lil Durk’s, creating the kind of disoriented headspace that has propelled the slowed phenomenon.
Kapjav, “Odek” (remix slowed) [prod. phenxmenxmen]
The U.K. recording artist Kapjav has been steadily building his SoundCloud following for several years now. Here his track “IDEK” gets the downtempo treatment.
Magdalena Bay, “Killshot” (Slowed + Reverb)
Miami synthpop duo, Magdelena go for the killshot on this slowed take on a spooky beat paired with a story rooted in romantic suspense.
Russ, “3:15 (Slowed Down + Reverb)”
Big splash in 2017 for British DJ Jax Jones (with vocals by Norwegian singer Ina Wroldsen) gets interpolated into this track from ATL-based hitmaker Russ.
Suicidal Idol, “Ecstasy” Murda B (slowed)
Released a year or so ago as an energetic dance track that was apt for its subject matter, SUICIDAL-IDOL’s “Ecstasy” sounds like it’s about a different kind of drug in its slowed version.
Altego, “Toxic Pony” (Slowed = Reverb)
Get ready for a slow ride in the wayback machine: This one from the London-based brothers Altego mashes up Britney Spears’s “Toxic” (2003) with Ginuwine’s 1996 debut single, “Pony.”
Travis Porter, “ReYup” (Slowed + Reverb)
The Atlanta hip-hop trio Travis Porter released their mixtape called “3 Live Krew” in 2015. This slowed-down version of “ReYup” parks the low rider in front of the strip club.
Tame Impala, “Let It Happen” (Tony Cuozzo Slowed)
The lead single from Tame Impala’s third album, “Let It Happen” loses some of its bright edges – purposefully – on this melancholy version.
Pi’erre Bourne, “Drunk and Nasty” (slowed)
He’s seen the heights of the pop charts with production work for Playboi Carti and others, but here the South Carolina beatmaker dips into the underground with this remix of his 2021 track.
Cults, “Gilded Lily” (Slowed + Reverb)
As bonus tracks on their 2022 album “Offerings,” the indie band Cults offered sped up and slowed versions of the final track. Not that they were “gilding the lily”...
Soccer Mommy, “Shotgun” (slowed + reverb)
Sophie Allison aka Soccer Mommy ‘90s alt-rock inspired “Shotgun’s” bubblegum pop hooks are further accentuated as the fan favorite get the slowed down treatment.
Kute, “Avoid Me” (Slowed + Reverb)
The trap music subgenre “phonk” makes a dark stew out of classic Memphis rap. The Russian artist KUTE epitomized the style with his track “Avoid Me.” Slowed, it’s darker still.
Migos, “Bad and Boujee” ft. Lil Uzi Vert [Netkido Slowed + Reverbed]”
Migos’ classic “Bad and Boujee” in slowed form brings some eerie vibes, so yeah, “Yeah, pull up in Ghosts.”
Beach House, “Space Song” (Slowed)
This modern shoegaze classic from Baltimore dream-pop duo Beach House arrived right on time in 2015. The slowed version of “Space Song” is a perfect complement to the song’s spacey, floating aesthetic.
Tom Odell, “Another Love” (Slowed Down)
Here’s a straightforward remix of a ballad by the English songwriter whose debut album came out in 2012. “I’m just so tired,” he sings. In the slowed version, the sincerity is amplified.
%20(1).png)
%20(1).png)
%20(1).png)
.jpg)
.png)
