Who is the best trip hop act of all time?

Trip hop emerged from Bristol in the early 1990s and redefined what electronic music could feel like — moody, cinematic, melancholic, and deeply soulful. Blending hip-hop beats with jazz, blues, and psychedelia, the genre produced some of the most haunting and original music of its era, and its influence continues to ripple through modern electronic and indie music. Which artist or group captured that distinctive trip hop magic better than anyone else?

1

Portishead

British trip hop group from Bristol, known for "Glory Box" and "Sour Times"

2

Massive Attack

Bristol trip hop pioneers known for "Unfinished Sympathy" and "Teardrop"

3

Tricky

Bristol trip hop artist known for his dark, atmospheric solo work

4

DJ Shadow

American producer known for "Endtroducing...", a landmark sample-based album

5

Morcheeba

British trip hop band known for their blend of blues, hip-hop, and electronica

6

Sneaker Pimps

British trip hop band known for "6 Underground"

7

Lamb

British electronic duo known for combining trip hop with orchestral and drum and bass elements

8

Kruder & Dorfmeister

Austrian trip hop duo known for their influential DJ-Kicks mix

9

Bonobo

British musician Simon Green, known for soulful electronic music with jazz influences

10

Nightmares on Wax

British producer known for his laid-back downtempo trip hop sound

11

Unkle

British trip hop project by James Lavelle, known for collaborations with DJ Shadow

12

Archive

British trip hop and alternative rock band with cinematic sound

13

Moloko

Irish-British duo known for "Sing It Back" blending trip hop with dance pop