Trap music is a subgenre of hip-hop that blends deep synths with street lyrics. Its distinctive beats include triplet hi hats and Roland TR-808 drum machine bass samples.
It first gained widespread attention when rappers like Lex Luger began incorporating it into their music, later spreading to EDM and even pop genres.
Origins
Trap music is one of the defining styles in dance electronic music, fusing together elements from hip-hop, dubstep and other forms to produce its unique sound. However, not all artists approach creating trap in an identical fashion; some create melodic dubstep similar to EDM while others create hip-hop trap closer to traditional forms of hip-hop music. As such, it is crucial that listeners know what differentiates these two genres so that they can make informed choices when selecting what music to listen to.
Trap music first emerged on the streets of Atlanta and remains wildly popular with its youth to this day. Its lyrical content often addresses underprivileged life struggles while its sounds draw heavily from gang culture. 21 Savage epitomizes this spirit; his music celebrates Guyanese heritage while simultaneously speaking out against an unfair system which frequently treats minorities and the poor with contempt.
Over time, the genre has developed and spread throughout other areas of the country, going beyond its street roots to gain greater prominence among millennials as a style that represents modern youth culture. Characterized by erratic beats, heavy trunk-rattling bass, 808’s, and its signature 808 sound. Not just music either – trap culture encompasses lifestyle elements such as wearing XXL shirts with 22s tucked under arms for wearing 22s with gold grills on Cadillacs with heavy chains attached at all times!
As trap music gained in popularity, producers began incorporating trap elements into other genres to produce new forms of it. This gave rise to hybrid trap music which blends hip-hop with bass music to form its unique sound. Influencing mainstream genres such as EDM with artists such as Cashmere Cat and Lido producing tracks which combine trap sound with other elements for a distinct sound; categorization remains difficult given this hybrid sound’s wide reach.
Influences
Trap music’s evolution as an EDM subgenre has been profound. Originating in rap scenes like Migos’, Drake and UGK’s, and helped establish its signature beats with its signature rhythms of bouncing rhythms. Other artists who contributed include Baauer, RL Grime and Metro Boomin who popularized its triplet flow that has become an indelible feature of trap’s sound; hitting three syllables at the same beat to create an addictive groove that keeps audiences coming back for more.
Beginning in 2010, producers started adding other elements into their tracks, leading to the emergence of EDM trap music – a genre combining traditional trap beats with build-ups, drops, and other dance music elements – known as EDM trap. EDM trap has quickly become very popular and is an enjoyable way to express yourself while dancing the night away!
Since its creation, trap music has found itself adopted into many different music styles. Notable examples include pop-R&B singers such as Ariana Grande and Beyonce who both feature trap beats in their music; as well as K-Pop which has seen massive worldwide growth since 2010. Furthermore, its influence can even be found within more chill sounds like future beats with high pitched vocals and lively drumbeats.
Moombahton has had an enormous effect on the development of trap music over time, thanks to its hybrid of trap and dubstep elements with heavy basslines and melodic syllables. This style has gained immense popularity and been credited for contributing to its overall growth.
Dance electronic music vs trap is a product of diverse musical influences. Hip-hop, R&B and K-pop artists alike are using these trends to influence how they make and produce music – leading to exciting innovations that could transform the industry as we know it!
Trends
Trap’s hallmark features include its use of high-pitched and distorted vocal samples that are often sped up and auto-tuned to cartoonish levels, 808 kick drums, and deep sub bass frequencies – making it a dance music style with an emphasis on beat, usually between 140 to 160 BPM; its snare/hi-hat patterns tend to be fast and repetitive while double and even triple time beat subdivisions allow for rapid drum rolls.
Electronic music with a street-influenced vibe appeals to a broad demographic. Not solely defined by music alone, though: rappers like Offset, Takeoff and Quavo have helped define its cultural ethos through their style – including wearing XXXL shirts with gold grills or gold chains; driving Cadillacs or carrying heavy chains.
Early 2010s witnessed a radical transformation when Migos, the hip-hop trio, established trap music among wider audiences through hit songs featuring audacious trap beats that caused listeners to nod their heads while nodding in response – the spark that propelled trap into EDM mainstream culture.
Lil Xan, Wifisfuneral, Ski Mask The Slump God, Denzel Curry and Xavier Wuulf have had an enormous effect on this genre through their rise as internet-rappers. These young MCs share not only youth appeal and provocative personal styles but also a common aesthetic which includes distortion-heavy bass with purposeful rawness as one end of the spectrum, but also emotive trap beats emphasizing emotion and melody on the other side of it all.
Kawaii bounce, drawing its influence from Japanese pop culture and featuring high-pitched vocals and drum beats similar to east coast club music, has quickly become a millennial-favourite genre – even inspiring its own fashion line!
Conclusions
If you like socially conscious hip hop, dance music, or electronic dance music (EDM), chances are you have heard trap. Even if it doesn’t appeal to your taste personally, its catchy beats and infectious melodies have made this genre immensely popular – not surprising given that its simple dynamic formula allows for endless creativity and exploration – not surprising either that its sounds have found their way into so many other genres of music!
One key aspect to keep in mind when evaluating trap music is that its lyrics often reflect real life experiences of black Americans in America, often dealing with issues like poverty, racism, and hopelessness. Rappers in this genre use music as a form of self-expression while sharing the realities of their lives with those who can relate.
Trap music provides rappers an ideal platform to make a name for themselves even if they lack naturally gifted MCing skills. Thanks to effects like Auto-Tune and reverb, most vocalists can find success within this genre by simply following its formula; and thanks to digital audio workstation (DAW) software becoming easier and more affordable to use, anyone with access to a computer can now produce high-quality music productions with relative ease.
Although trap may have its disadvantages, there are numerous artists who have found ways to reinvent it and add a positive spin to it. Travis Scott stands out among these innovators by pushing its limits through new synthesizers and drum machines as well as drawing inspiration from other musical styles such as Jersey club and footwork to craft his own distinctive brand of music.
21 Savage has made his mark in the trap world, taking full advantage of its street culture and lifestyle to become an established artist in his genre. His roots can be heard through his music; with its dark yet aggressive sound that calls to mind grime or footwork subgenres.