What is Trap Music?

Trap music is a style of music that started in the 1990s in the Southern United States. It is called “trap” music because it talks about the “trap” or the drug trade. There are two main kinds of trap music today: Hip-hop trap and EDM trap. They sound different but come from the same idea.

The Origins of Trap Music

Trap music started in the rap and hip-hop scene in the Southern United States, especially in Atlanta, Georgia. Early trap music talked about life in the “trap” which means places where people sell drugs. The lyrics were about struggles, street life, and trying to make money. The music had hard-hitting drum beats and sometimes eerie or dark sounds.

Some early trap artists were T.I., Gucci Mane, Young Jeezy and Three 6 Mafia. They rapped about their experiences with an aggressive style and heavy beats. This was the start of hip-hop trap.

Hip-Hop Trap Music

Hip-hop trap sticks close to trap music’s roots. It has a heavy focus on lyrics and storytelling. The lyrics are often about street life, struggles, money, and experiences in the trap.

The Sound of Hip-Hop Trap

Hip-hop trap uses hard-hitting 808 drum beats and hi-hats that make a rolling, rattling sound. The beat is simple but heavy. Sometimes there are dark or gritty sounds in the background that make a tense mood.

Over this beat, rappers tell stories about their life. They rap with an aggressive, bold flow. The focus is on the lyrics and on painting a picture of the trap life.

Key Artists in Hip-Hop Trap

Some of the big names in hip-hop trap are:

• T.I. – An early pioneer of trap music
• Young Jeezy – Helped popularize trap in the 2000s
• Gucci Mane – A trap legend known for his prolific output
• Future – Brought a more melodic style to trap
• Migos – Pushed trap forward with their triplet flow

These rappers and many others shaped hip-hop trap into a distinct style. They kept the original trap sound while updating it for new eras.

EDM Trap Music

In the early 2010s, electronic dance music (EDM) producers started to use elements of trap music in their songs. They took the hard-hitting beats and dark sounds and mixed them with EDM’s buildups, drops, and synths. This created a new kind of trap music called EDM trap.

How EDM Trap Differs from Hip-Hop Trap

EDM trap has some key differences from hip-hop trap:

1. Less focus on lyrics. EDM trap might have some rap vocals, but they’re not the main focus. The emphasis is on the instrumental.
2. More complex production. EDM trap producers use more electronic sounds, synths, and effects. They create intricate, layered beats.
3. Buildups and drops. Like other EDM genres, EDM trap has buildups that lead to hard-hitting drops. This gives it a different energy and structure than hip-hop trap.
4. Designed for dancing. Hip-hop trap is more for listening and vibing, but EDM trap is made to make people dance. The drops and high energy are meant for clubs and festivals.

So while EDM trap comes from trap music, it takes those core elements in a very different direction. It’s more about the production and the vibe than the lyrics and stories.

Important Artists in EDM Trap

Some key players in the rise of EDM trap are:

• Flosstradamus – An early innovator in blending trap and EDM
• RL Grime – Helped define the sound of EDM trap
• Baauer – Created the viral hit “Harlem Shake” which put EDM trap in the spotlight
• Yellow Claw – A Dutch duo known for their hard-hitting festival trap
• Troyboi – Blends trap with other genres for a unique sound

These producers and DJs took trap music and made it into something new. They showed how trap could work in the EDM world and paved the way for the genre’s growth.

The Popularity and Influence of Trap Music

Both hip-hop trap and EDM trap have had a huge impact on music in the 2010s and 2020s. Trap music has become one of the most popular genres in the world.

In hip-hop, trap has become the dominant style. Many of the biggest rap songs and albums of the last decade have been trap music. Artists like Future, Migos, Travis Scott, and Cardi B have made trap music mainstream.

EDM trap has also become very popular. It’s a staple at music festivals and clubs around the world. Many of the biggest EDM hits of recent years have trap beats and sounds.

Beyond music, trap has influenced fashion, slang, and culture. The trap sound has spread into pop, R&B, and even rock music. It’s become a global phenomenon.

The Future of Trap Music

Trap music has proven to be more than a trend. It’s a genre that has staying power and influence. As hip-hop and EDM continue to evolve, trap music is likely to evolve with them.

Hip-hop artists will likely continue to push the boundaries of trap music lyrically and sonically. They’ll tell new stories and find new ways to capture the trap sound and energy.

EDM producers will also keep innovating with trap music. They’ll blend it with other genres, experiment with new sounds, and find new ways to make people dance.

At the same time, trap music may influence new genres and styles that we haven’t heard yet. Just as trap drew from earlier hip-hop and EDM, future genres may draw from trap.