Trap music is a sub-genre of rap music that originated in the southern part of the US and dates back to the 1990s. The lyrical and musical style of trap music is usually described as being aggressive and using instruments such as 808 kick drums, division hi-hats, synthesizers that are heavily layered, and cinematic strings.
The "trap" term of this type of music refers to drugs and how it is difficult to leave drugs. Artists who create this type of rap are known as "trap-rappers." Lyrics of trap music talk about street culture (gangs, drug houses, strippers) that also brings dark, gothic-like beats that are also loud.
Where Did Trap Music Come From?
Trap music came from the southern part of the US in Atlanta, Georgia. It started in the early 1990s but wasn't a big sub-genre of rap music.
However, trap sound came back in the 2000s where more Southern states began hearing the genre more. States include Texas, Alabama, Tennessee, and Virginia. Most of the lyrics of trap music in the 2000s were about drug dealing, which created the term "trap-rappers."
As of today, trap music has blown up more than ever: songs of trap music bumping onto the billboard charts, being played on the radio, and being played in nightclubs.
Who Are Some Artists That Do Trap Music?
During the 1990s, rap artists or bands such as UGK, 8Ball & MJG, Three 6 Mafia, Cool Breeze, Kilo Ali, Master P, and Ghetto Mafia were the first artists to introduce trap music.
Then in the 2000s, other artists contributed to the trap scene like T.I., DJ Toomp, Drumma Boy, Shawty Redd, Zaytoven, and D. Rich.
Besides rap music, electronic artists began adding elements of trap music. By doing this, trap music became popular among EDM fans.
Today, trap music is still going strong with artists like RL Grime, TNGHT, Flosstradamus, Baauer, DJ Sliink, Heroes x Villains, UZ, LOUDPVCK, gLAditor, Luminox, among other modern artists.
Trap music continues to evolve as more artists make more trap music.
Top Hits of Trap Music by Decade:
From the 1990s:
- UGK song "Pocket Full of Stones", released in 1992 on the album Too Hard to Swallow.
- Master P. song "Mr. Ice Cream Man", released in 1996 on the album Ice Cream Man Ice
- Cubes song "It Was a Good Day', released in 1992 on the album The Predator Tupac
- Shakur's song "Dear Mama', released in 1995 on the album Me Against the World
From the 2000s:
- 50 Cent song "In Da Club", released in 2003 on the album Get Rich
- Die Tryin Terror Squad "Lean Back", released in 2005 on the album Fat Joe, Remy Ma
- Eminem's song "Lose Yourself", released in 2002 on the album 8 Mile
- Jay-Z's song "Empire State of Mind", released in 2009 on the album The Blueprint 3
From the 2010s:
- Kanye West song "Power", released in 2010 on the album My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy
- Ghostface Killah song "Troublemakers", released in 2010 on the album Method Man
- Drake's song "Miss Me", released in 2010 on the album Thank Me Later
- Nas song "As We Enter", released in 2010 on the album Distant Relatives
Trap Music is constantly evolving, and we will keep you updated with anything new and exciting within the genre. Thank you for reading!