14/4/24, 22:45 The History and Origin of Trap Music

Advertisement
Hasta‌
Tra‌nsfer‌‌
-3‌5‌ %‌ incluido‌

RESERVA‌‌AHORA‌

Entertainment Music

The History and Origin of

Trap Music
Share Save Mail Print Advertisement

https://www.liveabout.com/history-of-trap-music-2857302 1/10
14/4/24, 22:45 The History and Origin of Trap Music

Paras Griffin/Getty Images

By Henry Adaso
Updated on 04/26/19

Chances are you've heard trap music. If you've heard any of Future's
recent hits or anything by Young Thug, you're already familiar with trap
music.

Trap music is a style of hip-hop that sprung out of the southern rap
scene in the 1990s. You'll know a trap track by the signature beat style—
stuttering kick drums, hi-hats, 808s, and oodles of synthesizers.

Trap took its root in Atlanta, where the likes of Ghetto Mafia and
Dungeon Family first used the term to describe their sound.

https://www.liveabout.com/history-of-trap-music-2857302 2/10
14/4/24, 22:45 The History and Origin of Trap Music

The Definition of "Trap"

The term itself comes directly from the streets. The "trap" typically
refers to a drug house, where narcotics are cooked up and sold. As
such, trap rappers usually rap about drugs and slinging dope. Example:
Future's "Move That Dope."

The content of a trap song isn't limited to the subjects of the trap. Trap
tunes also touch on the bleak standard of living in the hood. Trap music
details observations of life in the streets. And, of course, trap songs can
also make for catchy party tunes. Advertisement

NUEVO NUEVO

The Origin of Trap Music

Although trap first gained traction in the 1990s, it wasn't until the early
2000s that it began to grow in mainstream culture. As we entered the
2000s, DJs started fusing crunk music with synths to produce the
quintessential trap sound.

Trap's popularity arrived with the emergence of Young Jeezy and T.I.
Estilo Orgánico
The ATLiens made trap a fixture on their respective debut albums. In
fact, T.I. titled his second album Trap Muzik.

With his debut, Jeezy showed that trap had crossover potential. Despite
his gritty lyrical content, his songs were widely played on mainstream
radio stations in the Third Coast and beyond.

https://www.liveabout.com/history-of-trap-music-2857302 3/10
14/4/24, 22:45 The History and Origin of Trap Music

The Sound of Trap

No conversation on trap is complete without a nod to the producers
who helped innovate the sound. Production styles vary, but a few
notable trap producers are DJ Toomp, Shawty Red, Drumma Boy, and
Mannie Fresh.

Following the successes of T.I. and Young Jeezy, the two stalwarts of
trap, new artists started to take notice. Over the years, more rappers
have started exploring the sound. One notable player was producer Lex
Luger. In the 2010s, Luger produced a number of trap hits for Rick Ross
("B.M.F.") and Waka Flocka Flame ("Hard in da Paint").

Trap Music Today

Trap has maintained a strong presence in hip-hop since it exploded
onto the mainstream in 2009. Today, the likes of Future, Young Thug
and Drake (to a lesser degree) keep the trap flag flying high.

In 2015, newcomer Fetty Wap conquered the charts with a trap hit
single "Trap Queen." Produced by Tony Fadd of RGF Productions, "Trap
Queen" peaked at No.2 on the Billboard Hot 100 Chart. Fetty Wap
followed up with "My Way," which also reached the Top 20 on Billboard.

It's a testament to trap's staying power that more mainstream artists

are adopting the sound. In 2015, Drake joined Future on the

https://www.liveabout.com/history-of-trap-music-2857302 4/10
14/4/24, 22:45 The History and Origin of Trap Music

collaborative effort. The project allowed Drake to fully explore his trap
side over the course of an entire album.

Incidentally, trap's ascension coincided with the decline of its cousin

crunk music.

Key Trap Rappers

Future

Young Jeezy

T.I.

Young Thug

Gucci Mane

Waka Flocka Flame

Chief Keef

https://www.liveabout.com/history-of-trap-music-2857302 5/10
14/4/24, 22:45 The History and Origin of Trap Music

American disc jockey, Del Tha Funky Lil Jon & the East album cover
rapper, songwriter and Homosapien Size Boyz
producer Afrika
Bambaataa wears wacky
eyewear in 1980

The History of The Definitive Crunk Music

Hip-Hop: 1925 to Guide to Hip-Hop 50 Best Rap Songs
Now Subgenres of 2010

https://www.liveabout.com/history-of-trap-music-2857302 6/10
14/4/24, 22:45 The History and Origin of Trap Music

Boosie Badazz - All I OMI Cheerleader kendrick-lamar.jpg Aesop Rock performing

Know live rapping

50 Best Rap Songs

of 2015
Grammy Awards The Top 100 Rap
Best Rap Album Songs of 2007
Winners (by Year)
The Top 30 Modern
Pop Songs

https://www.liveabout.com/history-of-trap-music-2857302 7/10
14/4/24, 22:45 The History and Origin of Trap Music

op 100 Letterpress Trap Karaoke Powered Busta Rhymes and P Celebrate Brooklyn
By BET Awards '16 Diddy performing live 2013 - Big Boi & D
Nice In Concert

Top 100 Rap Songs The Top 25 Hip- The 50 Best Hip- The 50 Greatest
of 2008 Hop Producers Hop Dance Songs Rappers of All
Time

https://www.liveabout.com/history-of-trap-music-2857302 8/10
14/4/24, 22:45 The History and Origin of Trap Music

Rihanna's Rated R Run the Jewels - Run Walk the Moon - Shut Twenty One Pilots
Album Release Party the Jewels Up and Dance Blurryface

Top 50 Rap Songs

of 2009
The Best 2015 Top 25 Pop Songs
Prom Song of 2015 So Far
The 100 Best Rap Playlist
Albums of All
Time

ENTERTAINMENT CAREERS ACTIVITIES HUMOR

https://www.liveabout.com/history-of-trap-music-2857302 9/10
14/4/24, 22:45 The History and Origin of Trap Music

About Us Advertise Careers Privacy Policy

Editorial Guidelines Contact

Terms of Service

TRUSTe

LiveAbout is part of the Dotdash Meredith publishing family. Please review our updated Terms of Service.

https://www.liveabout.com/history-of-trap-music-2857302 10/10