Phonk: The TikTok-Famous Music Genre with a Deeper History

Phonk, a music genre that has become ubiquitous on social media platforms like TikTok, has a history that predates its viral explosion. The genre, often heard without being named, originated in the 1990s as a subgenre of hip-hop and funk, characterized by its heavy bass and cowbell sounds. It gained traction on SoundCloud and later on TikTok, where its energetic beats are used in countless videos. The article traces phonk's evolution from its roots in Memphis rap to its current digital popularity, highlighting how it has been adapted and commercialized for short-form video content.