Trap
Trap is a music genre that originated in the early 1990s in the Southern United States. It has the aggressive lyrical content and sound, usually with 808 sub-bass kick drums, double-time, triple-time etc-time hi-hats, layered synthesizers, and “cinematic” strings.
In 2012, a new movement of electronic music producers and DJs emerged who began incorporating elements of trap music into their works. This helped expand its popularity among electronic music fans. A number of stylistic offshoots developed, which in 2013 gained a rise in viral popularity and made a noticeable impact on dance music.
What is Trap?
Trap is based on use of the 808 Roland drum machine, pitched and re-sampled hip-hop/rap vocals, pipe flutes, gangsta synth leads, and various FX. Similar to rap without the main vocal, Trap music has been gaining lots of attention from major DJ’s and labels. Although the style originated many years ago, Trap music has recently been making a new school comeback in many new forms such as “Trap”, “Chirp”, “SeaPunk”, “PsyTrap”, and “TrapStep”. Earliest known examples can be found by artists such as Triple Six Mafia, UGK, Swisha House, and Gucci Mane. Tempos range widely from 135-175bpm which is uncommon for most major genres of electronic dance music (EDM).
In laymen’s terms, it would be best described as a recipe;
1/3 hip hop (tempo and song structure similar) – however, vocals are usually pitched lower or higher
1/3 dubstep (similar drum arrangements, different builds and drops)
1/3 dub (Low-frequency focus and strong emphasis on repetitiveness throughout a song)
The origin of the genre is characterized by an aggressive attitude in sound, incorporating brass, triangle, snappy snares and hi-hats, loud kicks, and booming 808’s from the Southern Crunk scene. Traditionally speaking, rappers like Waka Flocka, Young Jeezy, Lex Luger and Gucci Manewould be classified as the original sound of Trap, however, the genres recent evolution has seen the popularity of techno and dub sounds incorporated more significantly into the overall trending sound.
The Source has a good article about the differences between trap music & EDM:
Trap Music
Now, what is trap music?  Well, there is no solidified definition, but if one thing’s for sure, it’s not dubstep, nor anything like dubstep. Trap music birthed around the early 2000’s, its parent figures being people the likes of Lil Jon, Trillville, Crime Mob, etc. The title “Trap Music” was given its name because it is the music of the “trap.”  = the hood = the ghetto, all the same thing.  It is defined by not only its highly explicit lyrical content but as well its distinct 808’s and heavy, trunk-rattling bass. It isn’t even solely defined by music. It is a culture. It is a culture of XXXL shirts, 22’s, Cadillac’s, gold grills, heavy chains, etc.
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