What Genre Is EsDeeKid? The UK Underground Cloud Rap Sound Explained
Quick AnswerEsDeeKid is a pioneer of UK underground cloud rap — a hybrid of hazy, melodic cloud-trap and the bounce of jerk and drill. The sound runs at roughly 140-160 BPM, layering reverb-soaked melodies over hard 808s and skittering hats. To ride it, count the beat in half-time and float your flow through the spaces between the drums.
The Cloud-Trap and Jerk Hybrid: A New UK Underground Sound
EsDeeKid didn't fit neatly into UK drill or US trap — and that's exactly the point. The sound is a cloud-trap and jerk hybrid: take the dreamy, washed-out melodic textures of cloud rap, then drop them onto the aggressive, bouncy drum patterns that define jerk and the UK underground. The result is hypnotic but hard — melodic enough to hum, heavy enough to mosh to.
If you've searched for the EsDeeKid music genre and come up with five different answers, that's because it borrows from all of them. Here's what actually defines it:
- Atmospheric melodies: reverb-drenched bells, pianos, and synth pads that create a hazy "cloud" ceiling over the track.
- Hard 808s: distorted, sliding bass that anchors the melodic haze to something physical.
- Skittering hi-hats: fast triplet and roll patterns borrowed from trap and drill.
- Jerk bounce: syncopated kick and snare placement that gives the beat its off-kilter, danceable swing.
- 140-160 BPM: fast on paper, but almost always written and rapped in half-time.
Cloud Rap vs. Trap vs. Jerk: Where EsDeeKid Sits
Think of it as a spectrum. Pure cloud rap is all atmosphere and almost no aggression. Trap brings the 808s and hats. Jerk brings the bounce and tempo. EsDeeKid's lane is the overlap in the middle — melodic enough to feel like cloud rap, but with the drum energy of jerk and drill driving it forward.
| Element | Cloud Rap | EsDeeKid Hybrid | Jerk / Drill |
|---|---|---|---|
| Melody | Hazy, dominant | Hazy + driving | Minimal, dark |
| Drums | Soft, sparse | Hard 808 + bounce | Aggressive, syncopated |
| Tempo | 60-80 BPM | 140-160 BPM | 140-150 BPM |
| Vocal feel | Floaty, melodic | Melodic + punchy | Percussive, rhythmic |
How to Find the Pocket on an EsDeeKid Type Beat
The number one mistake artists make on cloud-trap is rapping at the beat instead of through it. These instrumentals are built on negative space — the gaps are part of the groove. Here's how to lock in:
Finding Your Pocket: A Vocalist's Checklist
Why Half-Time Is Your Best Friend
At 140-160 BPM, rapping on every beat sounds frantic. Counting in half-time instantly opens up room to stretch syllables, add melody, and breathe. It's the same trick drill and jerk artists use — and it's why EsDeeKid's flows feel relaxed even when the drums are flying.
Where to Get EsDeeKid Type Beats
Our EsDeeKid type beats are built on exactly this cloud-trap/jerk template — atmospheric melodies, hard 808s, and that 140 BPM bounce. If you want to explore the wider underground beat catalog, you'll find matching UK grime and drill instrumentals that share the same DNA.
Trackouts & Stems for Cloud Rap
Because cloud-trap relies on space and atmosphere, mixing engineers benefit hugely from trackout stems — you can carve out room for vocals by ducking the reverb-heavy melody bus without touching the 808s. Trackout stems are included with the Unlimited License and above.
Frequently Asked Questions
EsDeeKid sits in the UK underground cloud rap lane — a hybrid of cloud-trap's hazy, melodic textures and the bounce of jerk and UK drill rhythms. The sound is built on atmospheric, reverb-soaked melodies, hard-hitting 808s, and skittering hi-hats, typically sitting between 140 and 160 BPM.
Most EsDeeKid type beats land between 140 and 160 BPM. The tempo gives the beat a fast, energetic feel while still leaving pockets for melodic, half-time vocal flows — which is why so many artists count it in half-time (around 70-80 BPM) when they write.
Lock onto the hi-hat pattern and the 808 slides first. Cloud-trap leaves a lot of negative space, so the trick is to ride the spaces between the drums rather than rapping on top of every hit. Counting the beat in half-time helps you stretch syllables and float over the atmospheric melodies the way EsDeeKid does.
Yes — every Khrome Beats lease lets you release commercially within the limits of your tier. For streaming and music videos, an Unlimited License removes stream and sale caps, and an Exclusive License gives you sole ownership of the instrumental. Always keep your license PDF for distributor verification.
Absolutely. The cloud-trap/jerk hybrid template overlaps heavily with UK drill and jerk. The same atmospheric melodies and 140 BPM bounce work for drill flows, melodic rap, and jerk-style cadences, making the catalog versatile for the whole UK underground scene.
Ready to Record Your Cloud Rap Anthem?
Grab an EsDeeKid type beat with trackout stems and full license documentation included. Start floating over the haze today.