What is Trap Music? A Guided Tour of the Genres and More

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01 Feb 2022
6 min read

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The term trap music is often used to describe hip-hop and EDM genres that are more bass-heavy than the rest of their respective genres. The term was first used in the early 2000s and has since been used by many artists. The origins of the term are unknown. However, we'll walk you through some great insights on Trap Music history! Put on your reading goggles and explore further. #TWN

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Trap music is a subgenre of hip-hop music originating in the Southern United States. The genre has been noted for its dark, bass-heavy sound and gritty vocal style. The name comes from the "Trap" dialect of Southern United States English, which is distinguished by its heavy use of African American Vernacular English. It's most popularly known for the "trap" dance move that originated in Florida. As a major musical movement, the trap has been one of hip hop's fastest-growing styles since its emergence during the mid-2000s. Here are some things to know about this ever-growing genre and how it can impact your life.

History of Trap Music

Trap music was created in the mid-2000s by a group of southern rappers who were heavily influenced by the new hip-hop sound coming out at the time. They wanted to be able to rap about what they saw around them, and they wanted to put their twist on it. The first song that was widely considered trap would have been Usher's "Trading Places," which was released in 2007 and is widely recognized as one of the first trap songs. Trap music began gaining popularity when Southern rappers started influencing mainstream hip-hop artists. With artists like Future and Drake adding trap sounds into their music, it caught on with a wide variety of audiences. Nowadays, a trap has grown into its genre with many subgenres that take influence from different parts of American culture. One example of this is a crunk trap, which takes influence from Southern African American hip hop dance culture rather than rap/hip hop culture, and then blends crunk with heavy 808 bass sounds for a very unique sound. There are also new genres of trap that incorporate electronic dance music (EDM) sounds into hip-hop, such as "glitch" or "dubstep" trap, which uses heavy bass drops similar to dubstep but in a more traditional hip hop style. There are still some debates among the community over what defines a certain kind of trap sound specifically, so there's still some growing debate as far as how people know if something is considered a "trap." Do you know the actual meaning of trap music? When you speak rather than sing, it's trap music. 

The Influence of Trap on Pop Culture

Trap music has reached a wider audience than ever before. Just as hip-hop music is influencing more genres of music, a trap is having an impact on pop culture. It's important to know what songs you're listening to and what artists are performing those songs. Some of the most popular trap songs include "Exchange" by Tyga, "Humble" by Kendrick Lamar, and "Lil Bit" by Gucci Mane. A trap isn't just for hip hop artists anymore either - pop stars like Nicki Minaj have made a name for themselves in this genre. Her song "Anaconda" was the first rap song to hit number one on the Billboard Hot 100 since 1997. Trap music artists are now getting noticed due to the hook and relatable lyrics.

What to Expect From a Live Performance of a Trap Artist

The intensity and energy of a rap artist's performance can vary from artist to artist. Some trap artists deliver an explosive live show, while others create a more subdued experience. It all boils down to the individual performer, but, in general, you can expect a lot of basses, heavy beats, and aggressive imagery. The trap is difficult for some listeners to listen to because of its aggressive nature. It can be particularly true for those who have never ventured into this sort of music before or don't like hip hop. But if you're open-minded, it can be a powerful way to tap into your anger and let it out without harming anyone else. The trap is all about feeling good about yourself and celebrating how great you are when you hear this intense beat pounding in the background or see an aggressive image flashing across the screen. It may not be everyone's cup of tea, but there's no denying that it has an impact on audiences worldwide, even if they just come for the party atmosphere in general.

How to Get Started with Trap Music 

If you're interested in learning more about trap music, here are some things to consider.

  • What is Trap Music? The trap is a genre of hip hop that originated in Southern United States English. It has been noted for its dark, bass-heavy sound and gritty vocal style.
  • Who Are the Popular Artists in Trap Music? The most popular artists of this genre include Future, Drake, Post Malone, Gucci Mane, 2 Chainz, and Lil Uzi Vert.
  • Where Can You Find Music by These Artists? You can find these artists on their social media pages. For example, you can follow Future on Twitter or Instagram to stay up-to-date on his latest music releases and happenings.

Where to Start Listening 

If you're new to trap music, start with Google Play Music. There are thousands of songs available on the platform and a wide variety of genres to chose from. Or, if you're more of an iTunes person, you can find albums on iTunes that have trap music in them. If you want to follow your favorite artists, there are plenty of social media platforms where they can be followed. For those who come from a Christian background, many hip-hop artists have lyrics about their faith or experiences with God in their records. Many artists also refer to Christ in their lyrics as savior or some other religious reference.

Considerations for Purchasing New Gear 

The most important thing to consider before purchasing new gear is that you will be using the equipment in a variety of environments. As such, your gear should complement your environment and what you do. For example, if you're playing trap music at a club, then you'll want a setup with lots of basses. However, if you're playing at home or in your car, then more than likely, a setup with less bass might work better for you. Another consideration is how it's going to fit into your budget. If you're on a tight budget, then this might not be the genre of music that's right for you. There are plenty of other genres out there with similar sounds that are easier on the wallet. If these are considerations that apply to you and your needs, then consider buying some sort of electronic keyboard so that, when necessary, it falls into the "trap" category so that people know what type of music they'll hear when they see you play.

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