noun Music Slang

Drill

/drɪl/ · noun · slang

A dark, menacing rap subgenre built on sliding 808s and cold, deadpan flows.

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Definitions

1

The rap subgenre itself — sparse, sinister beats with sliding 808 basslines, hi-hat triplets, and flat, threatening vocals. Born in Chicago around 2011, mutated hard in South London.

“That UK drill sound is unmistakable — those sliding 808s give it away in two seconds.”
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2

Used as an adjective for anything in that style or aesthetic — the beat, the visuals, the cold energy.

“He switched up to a drill flow halfway through the verse and the whole tune got darker.”
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3

As a verb in some street usage, to 'go drilling' references gang violence — a meaning the music is named after, and one ThugBible documents without endorsing.

“In the lyrics 'going drilling' is a violent boast, not something to take literally or admire.”
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Drill In A Sentence

New York drill, Chicago drill, UK drill — three accents, one cold blueprint.
Put on some drill and the room temperature drops ten degrees.
The drill scene basically rebuilt British rap from the ground up.

Origin & Usage

Coined in Chicago's South Side around 2010-2012 (Chief Keef, King Louie era), where 'drill' was street slang for shooting. London producers reworked the sound circa 2015 into UK drill, and Brooklyn drill followed around 2019.

Variants UK drillChicago drillBrooklyn drilldrilly
Tags #uk#hip-hop#american#aave#british

People Also Ask

What does drill mean in slang?

It mainly names a dark rap subgenre with sliding 808s and deadpan flows. The street-slang root refers to gang violence, which is why the genre carries controversy.

What's the difference between UK drill and Chicago drill?

Chicago drill is slower and rawer; UK drill runs faster with skippy, syncopated 'sliding' 808s and London slang. Both share the same cold, menacing tone.

Why is drill controversial?

Because some lyrics reference real gang conflict, UK police and courts have used drill videos as evidence and even banned certain tracks. Fans argue it documents reality rather than causing it.

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