Hip hop instrumentals use a variety of different instruments, from drum machines to vinyl samples. Samples often come from R&B and Soul records from the 1960s and 1970s. However, some producers also use samples from digital samplers. The popular Ensoniq ASR-10 sampler is often used for hip hop instrumentals.

Instrumentals are used in hip hop to create different moods. As a result, they vary in intensity, ranging from very tense to serene. In the '80s, the sound of Rick Rubin's rock-rap anthems was extremely aggressive, while the '90s saw the rise of '90s synth bangers and trap tracks by Lex Luger.

Instrumentals can be made from scratch, or they can be used to add a unique flavour to a track. Hip Hop is known for its sampling culture, which allows producers to re-work sounds from other recordings. These samples can range from entire audio segments to small bits that cannot be distinguished from the original. Samples are used in hip-hop instrumentals to add a unique touch to their songs.

Instrumentals can also be used to make songs more mellow and smooth. For example, the popular "Quiet Lady" by Pete Rock samples Brazilian samba guitar player Laurindo Almeida. Instrumental hip-hop tracks are meant to be relaxing and feature a variety of relaxing instruments such as strings, pianos, and guitars.

Hip-hop music was a staple in the music charts at the beginning of the 2000s. Its influence was global and it was performed in various styles all over the world. Several famous producers influenced hip-hop beats and paved the way for today's producers. The '90s were the golden era of hip hop.

The vocal style of hip hop was influenced by DJs such as Kool Herc and Coke La Rock. DJs began to add basic choruses and call-and-response chants. The MCs were also more expressive in their vocal delivery and began to incorporate scatological and sexual themes into their raps.

Before the '90s, DMX was virtually unknown outside of New York hip hop, but his debut album, It's Dark and Hell Is Hot, became a chart-topping success. Its intro track was a massive word-of-mouth sensation. He gained the coveted Guinness World Record for the first album to be entirely composed of samples. His basic toolkit an encyclopedia of records allowed him to achieve the feat.

In addition to the United States, hip hop has made its mark in Latino culture. Vico C, a Dominican rapper, was the first to record in English and Spanish. His hit "La Recta Final" gave him worldwide fame. The following decade saw the rise of hip hop in the Dominican Republic. This culture became known as mere rap.

Many producers release hip-hop instrumentals. Some do so as conceptual releases, while others release instrumentals for specific albums.