Guide to Trap Music: History and Characteristics of Trap Music

Trap is a style of music that combines elements of hip hop, rap music, electronic dance music, electro house, and dubstep. Trap is defined by the triplet beat—also called the triplet flow or Migos flow within the trap world—in which three beats are played in the space it would normally take to make two beats, giving trap a rolling, hypnotic sound. Trap is also anchored by its synth beats, using 808 drum kits with rolling bass and hi-hat. The name “trap” comes from local Atlanta slang referring to drug deals.

Trap originated in the Southern part of the United States in the 1990s, specifically Atlanta, Georgia. Some of the most well-known early trap artists in the 1990s were 8Ball & MJG, Three 6 Mafia, UGK, Ghetto Mafia, and Master P.

As trap music developed in the 2000s, the influence of electronic dance music (EDM) evolved the trap sound. The electronic beat element of EDM became more pronounced in trap, producing new trap beats that sounded similar to trance house music. In 2012, EDM producers such as RL Grime, TNGHT, and Baauer increased trap’s popularity by incorporating trap beats into their sets. These EDM producers released a compilation album called All Trap Music in 2013 and it quickly became the biggest selling EDM trap album ever.

Trap music continued to gain traction in the mid-2010s and crossed over to the mainstream with hits like Fetty Wap’s 2015 mainstream hit song Trap Queen. Today, trap artists continue to make new music, and the style has influenced music production for mainstream hip hop artists like Drake, Cardi B, Migos, and the A$AP mob.

Here are three common characteristics of trap music.

1. 1. Synth beat: Influenced by club music and dubstep, trap is distinguished by a trilling, electronic triplet drum beat which allows artists to alternate between fast and slow rap styles. Trap beats make use of synth drum sounds from 808 drum kits, especially kick, snare, clap and hi-hat electronic beats. Trap beats also use distortion and reverb effects to give the sound a gritty edge. The speed of the trap beat typically falls between 130 and 170 BPM.
2. 2. Triplet flow: Trap music is typified by the triplet flow where artists hit three beats in the space it would normally take to hit two. This creates a rolling, irregular rhythm. Trap’s triplet flow is also sometimes referred to as the Migos flow, because of the artist Migos’s song “Versace,” in which the word “Versace” is repeated in a triplet flow in the chorus.
3. 3. Rolls and risers: Trap beats can be distinguished by using rolls and risers—modulations in volume or pitch to transition between phrases of music—making for abrupt shifts.

Trap music is a major influence in hip hop today. Here are some of the best trap music artists:

1. 1. 2 Chainz: Along with Dolla Boy, 2 Chainz started as part of the trap duo Playaz Circle, which was one of the earliest trap duos. After they split, 2 Chainz released his first solo album, with three of his singles reaching the Billboard Hot 100.
2. 2. Gucci Mane: Gucci Mane was one of the pioneers of trap music in Atlanta. His debut album Trap House from 2005 peaked at 20 on the R&B Billboard Charts. He has worked with artists including Drake, Lil Wayne, and Mariah Carey.
3. 3. Fetty Wap: Though he was born and raised in Paterson, New Jersey, rapper Fetty Wap became a recognizable trap rapper with his hit song “Trap Queen,” which spent 25 consecutive weeks in the top ten on the Billboard charts in 2015.
4. 4. T.I.: Trap music pioneer T.I. released his first album Trap Muzik in 2003, which introduced trap beats to a larger audience. Since then, T.I. has since won three Grammys and had seven albums reach the Top 5 on the Billboard charts.
5. 5. Waka Flocka Flame: Originally from Queens, Waka Flocka Flame grew up in Riverdale, Georgia where he was exposed to early trap music. He became a part of Gucci Mane's crew 1017 Brick Squad. His debut album Flockaveli peaked at number 6 on the U.S. Billboard charts in 2010.
6. 6. Young Jeezy: Young Jeezy was Trap music's first mainstream breakout star. His debut album ”Let's Get It: Thug Motivation 101” went platinum a month after it was released in 2005.

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