Music / Styles A–Z / Rap and bass · 17 of 35
Trap
Trap is a branch of hip-hop from the Southern United States, its modern sound made in Atlanta: simple, minimal beats on long TR-808 kicks and fast hi-hats, felt in half-time.
- Where and when
- Atlanta and the Southern US, 1990s
- Tempo
- Typically 140 BPM, felt in half-time at 70; range 100–176
- Played on
- Roland TR-808 kicks and bass, hi-hats, snares, synths, strings and brass
- Lesson
- Rap and bass →
What it is
Trap is a branch of hip-hop from the Southern United States; lyrical references to "the trap" appear from 1991, and the modern sound came together in Atlanta. The production is simple, rhythmic and minimal, on synthesized drums.
For the producer. Kick drums tuned with a long decay so they double as the bass line, the sound of the Roland TR-808; crisp snares; hi-hats in double- or triple-time subdivisions; dark synth, string and brass swells over the top. Program it in half-time: a beat at 140 BPM is felt at 70, and the common range runs from 100 (50) to 176 (88).
The records that made it
From the lesson Rap and bass, where the sources are listed · links open a search
- 2001Dope BoyzT.I. · From his debut I'm Serious; put the word in the lyric.
- 2010FlockaveliWaka Flocka Flame · Lex Luger's production defined the sound.
- 2013Dark HorseKaty Perry, with Juicy J · Credited with cementing trap on the Billboard charts.
Trap in this month’s records
New releases the press we read wrote about, tagged trap on MusicBrainz · updated with every build