Chillhop Music

Chillhop Music is a Dutch record label and brand founded in 2013 in the countryside of the Netherlands, now based in Rotterdam. It is one of the leading lofi hip-hop and instrumental hip-hop labels in the world. Chillhop is home to Philanthrope, Psalm Trees, C Y G N, L'Indecis, Leavv, Nymano, Mama Aiuto, SwuM, Misha, Aso, Ian Ewing, Yasper, J.Folk, Sweeps, Kreatev, and many others. The label is known for its iconic raccoon mascot and its 24/7 YouTube livestream, which was the first 24/7 livestream on the platform within the lofi genre. Its 2026 releases include the Timezones France compilation (exploring the rich legacy of French sample-based hip hop reimagined by today's beatmakers) and Throwback (July 17, 2026).

Chillhop Music began in 2013 as a humble blog from a small bedroom in the Netherlands. Driven by a passion for sharing a unique, and at the time, hard-to-find genre of music, the label quickly expanded its horizons. It launched its YouTube channel where it paired its favorite tracks with captivating visuals, and became the first 24/7 livestream on the platform within its genre. By 2015, Chillhop had established itself as a record label, and by 2018, its raccoon mascot had become a beloved symbol of its YouTube livestreams, embodying the spirit of Chillhop. The label's mission is to create a more relaxed everyday life through authentic and characteristic means that stay true to its taste and values. The label was previously known as Chillhop Records (before 2017) and has been known as Chillhop Music since 2017.

How Chillhop Operates

Chillhop Music runs dedicated A&R from its Rotterdam headquarters. It operates an independent distribution network and a YouTube channel with 24/7 livestreams. The label's strength is its curated approach to lofi beats paired with unique, handcrafted visuals, and its raccoon mascot branding. Its model combines a record label, a YouTube livestream, a creator licensing platform (Chillhop Music for creators), and a merchandise brand. The label collaborates with talented artists from all over the world to bring listeners the best chill (lofi) beats paired with unique, handcrafted visuals.

Why It Matters for Independent Artists

If you make lofi hip-hop, instrumental hip-hop, or chill beats, Chillhop Music is one of the leading labels in that space, with a global audience and a 24/7 YouTube livestream. Its roster of prolific lofi producers (Philanthrope, Psalm Trees, Ian Ewing) shows it can develop artists with long-term career potential in the lofi genre. Its creator licensing platform provides additional revenue streams for its artists through sync placements in YouTube, Twitch, Instagram, film, advertising, and video game projects.

Drawbacks and Things to Consider

• Lofi focus: Chillhop signs lofi hip-hop and instrumental hip-hop. Artists in other genres should look elsewhere.
• No unsolicited demos: Chillhop does not accept cold submissions.
• Visual identity: Chillhop pairs its music with handcrafted visuals, so artists must fit the label's visual as well as sonic identity.
• YouTube-first model: Chillhop's model is built around its YouTube livestream, which means revenue is heavily tied to YouTube streaming.

Related Resources

• Record Label Contracts Explained - What a Chillhop deal contains
• Independent Labels vs Major Labels - The YouTube-first label model
• How to Get a Record Deal in 2026 - Building a lofi production profile
• Lofi Girl - A related lofi label
• Chillhop Music Official Site - Roster and livestream