A genre question from an old-school guy.

[NealF]

These are two of the examples that came into a listing calling for hip hop instrumentals.
To me, if you take out the vocal, it's some kind of mellow, chill thing. In fact, even the vocal doesn't sound much like hip hop.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b8m9zhNAgKs

This one also sounds too mellow for hip hop. Maybe I'm behind the times with hip hop. (Never really been in front of the times.) But hip hop to me always came across much more aggressive. If you listen to these without vocals, they could be soothing, almost meditative tracks.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=phr1pOFK1V8

[cassmcentee]

As I hear it, the common denominators are the sounds used for Kick/Hi Hat/Bass and then the Kick/Hi Hat patterns.
After that, you are correct, Chill synths

[NealF]

Yeah. That's what I thought.
The only thing making it hip hop is the 808 drums and pattern. I just figured there would be more to it than that.