Trap music lends itself to various genres – whether socially conscious hip hop, club bangers or Top 40 pop. With its simple yet dynamic formula and ability to add energy and a memorable melody effortlessly.
Trap music relies heavily on drums – particularly crisp hi-hats and rhythmic snare patterns. Additionally, an 808 bass drum provides an undeniably powerful sound.
Origins
Trap music has quickly taken the world by storm, with artists like Cashmere Cat and Lido becoming hugely successful with catchy melodies, catchy drum beats, and high-pitched vocals. Much of its success can be attributed to accessing new technologies that enable people to create and spread musical works without physical limitations or financial obstacles.
Gangsta rap draws heavily from street culture, including references to drug dealing and rough neighborhoods. It has its roots in hip hop, but eventually evolved into gangsta rap as its music became used to highlight issues related to crime and poverty in urban American neighborhoods.
As a result, rappers and producers began incorporating trap elements in their work, rapidly becoming one of the most popular genres in America with artists such as T.I., Young Jeezy and Waka Flocka Flame creating songs which showcased their braggadocio and bold styles.
In the 2010s, EDM artists began incorporating more dance-oriented sounds into their works – an amalgam of trap and rave music that became immensely popular thanks to artists like Flosstradamus making EDM more approachable to a wider audience.
At this same time, kawaii bounce – or k-pop – emerged onto the scene as well. Influenced by Japanese pop culture, this subgenre of electronic dance music can be identified by high-pitched voices, bouncy beats, and samples typically associated with East coast club music.
Future Beats is an increasingly popular hybrid style fusing trap and techno, featuring vocal styles from hip hop, r&b, synthesizers and beats from various bass music subgenres including dubstep. This trend has proven particularly popular in South Korea where K-Pop stars G-Dragon and Taeyang from BIGBANG released what is widely considered to be a trap remix of DJ Snake & Lil Jon’s Turn Down For What track.
As future beats continue to gain in popularity, its influence is expected to expand further across genres. Not only can future beats bring a fresh look and feel to hip hop music production, but you may have also come across its presence among post-hardcore singers, K-pop artists or mainstream acts such as Drake or Post Malone.
Styles
Early 2010s rappers and producers used trap beats to craft their music. Lex Luger used 808-heavy production to craft songs showcasing Southern hip-hop, while T.I., Rick Ross and Waka Flocka Flame utilized this sound on their tracks as well – helping bring it closer to mainstream pop music audiences.
A rap track featuring a trap beat typically includes bass lines that emphasize its beats per minute (BPM). Claps, synthesized percussion and drum machines add additional pulse to the song; additional sounds such as keyboards, strings and horns provide depth. Lyrically it explores topics such as drugs, money and women.
Migos has found success using this production method with their hit songs “Bad & Boujee” and “XO TOUR Llif3,” which combine catchy melodies with bold lyricism. Though many criticize these rappers for leaning heavily on this production formula, trap music provides masses with another means of expression through music – especially those without natural talent who may struggle without Auto-Tune and reverb effects to compose songs themselves.
While rapping is the hallmark of trap music, its sound can also be found in EDM and pop genres. Hudson Mohawke and Rustie both incorporate elements of trap music into their songs; additionally, its beats and melodies work perfectly with dance styles such as dubstep.
Trap has found its way into many other genres such as moombahton, reggae and house music genres, being widely utilized by electronic dance music artists like Lunice and Flosstradamus who use this musical form to blend various genres for an exciting new sound.
Trap may eventually cross over with more experimental styles of music such as glitch hop and experimental bass, while also merging with genres that feature synthesized percussion like emo pop or synthesized drum & bass. It could become as funky and moody as Future’s “F*ck Up Some Commas,” or upbeat and cheerful like Post Malone’s breakout hit, “White Iverson.” Whatever direction this genre takes, its listeners will always experience rhythm that compels them to turn up the volume!
Trends
Trap music’s growing popularity has inspired a new wave of producers. Utilizing the genre’s signature sounds to craft original, innovative tracks, these producers use trap beats combined with other styles such as synth melodies or flute loops to craft something entirely different – which includes EDM, hip hop and pop songs!
Trap’s blend with other genres has helped it to gain mainstream acceptance. Its signature sounds such as rattling hi-hats and deep bass drops have been sampled by artists like Lana Del Rey and Usher; furthermore, trap has inspired other electronic genres such as synth-pop and emo pop; thus giving rise to what has now been termed hyperpop trap.
Although critics may view trap as a passing trend, its rise to success among rappers has proven otherwise. Additionally, its accessibility allows lyrical artists to demonstrate their skills without needing to be naturally gifted rappers; using effects such as Auto-Tune and Reverb enhances vocal capabilities; when combined with catchy melodies and powerful hooks such as those found on “Bad and Boujee” and “XO Tour Llif3.” These effects combined can create hit songs like “Bad and Boujee” or “XO Tour Llif3.”
Some trap artists have used their music to discuss personal matters like drug dealing and life on the streets. These themes have given this genre a deeper, more emotional quality; furthermore, several trap artists have experienced legal troubles or tragic endings due to their lifestyle or music.
Trap music has established itself among dance music fans despite its association with street rap. Trap has become an integral part of EDM scene, inspiring the sounds and styles of artists like Flosstradamus, Major Lazer, RL Grime, and DJ Snake. With its hard-lined synthesizers, crisp rhythmic snares, deep 808 sub bass kick drums, double time and triple time divided hi hats and intense and energetic sound it captivates listeners and draws them in further.
Influences
As soon as you step foot onto any street or enter any club, or go out for the evening, trap music will soon surround you. Rattling synthetic hi-hats, speaker cone-destroying 808 bass drum samples and rattling snare rolls often create the foundation of most trap tracks; orchestrally swelling MIDI strings often follow as well for an added layer of intensity.
Trap music gained widespread attention through rappers like TI and Waka Flocka Flame who popularized its incorporation into their songs, but its true potential only really emerged during the 2010s when DJs and dance artists such as Flosstradamus began combining its sounds with hip-hop to form a hybrid genre that eventually made its way into mainstream pop.
Trap music also lends itself well to rap, with critically-acclaimed artists like Kendrick Lamar and J. Cole using trap to showcase their lyrics. It’s easy to see why trap has taken off; its beats are fun yet engaging while catchy choruses allow listeners to get down with the groove – no wonder millions sing along every week!
Trap music’s roots remain uncertain, though many experts attribute its rise to southern hip-hop mix tapes like TI’s Trap Muzik and 1017 Brick Squad Records’ Trap-A-Holics series as starting points. Miami New Times notes the chopped-up style of DJ Screw’s mixtapes as an early form. Linguistic elements like “sippin’ sizzurp” and “trap house” were also instrumental. Since then, its influence has spread worldwide; for instance Borja Bagunya and Max Besora published their book Trapologia (2018) as an authoritative work on its history.
As a genre, trap sheds light on the drug scene with lyrics that address its dangers in certain neighborhoods and address social issues. While some producers might romanticize certain lifestyles in their songs, trap music remains an honest reflection of urban America. Additionally, its influence can be found across genres including hip hop and EDM music, making it a crucial part of contemporary popular culture.