The History of Trap: The History of Hip Hop, #6
By Eric Reese
()
About this ebook
"Trap Beats and Rhymes: The Explosive Emergence of Trap Music"
*** Author of "Rapper's Delight" essay currently archived at the Library of Congress ***
*** Guest speaker of BBC2 Radio "Rapper's Delight 40th Anniversary" by DJ Trevor Nelson - September 2019 ***
Dive deep into the electrifying world of trap music with Eric Reese's "The History of Trap." Born from the gritty corners of Southern U.S. cities, Trap has transformed from a subgenre of hip-hop into a cultural phenomenon reverberating across the globe.
Follow the journey from the tough streets of Atlanta, where producers like DJ Toomp and Shawty Redd defined the early trap sound, to its mainstream breakthrough with artists like T.I. and Gucci Mane. Discover the unique blend of vivid storytelling, aggressive beats, and synth-heavy melodies that have propelled trap music to the forefront of the hip-hop scene.
More than just a musical genre, Reese uncovers how trap is a reflection of life in some of America's toughest neighborhoods, with themes of struggle, ambition, and hustle echoing throughout its lyrical landscape.
In this captivating guide, delve into:
- Trap Roots: The influences and key figures behind the birth of trap music
- 808's and Heartbeats: The signature sound of trap and its evolution
- The Trap Movement: How artists like Future, Migos, and Young Thug took trap global
- Trap's Influence on Pop Culture: From music to fashion and beyond
- Trap and Society: The commentary on socio-economic issues within the lyrics
- The Future of Trap: Emerging artists and trends shaping the genre
"The History of Trap" gives you a raw, unfiltered look at the genre that's taken the world by storm. From its southern origins to its global impact, this is the definitive guide to trap music.
Witness the rise, reign, and future of trap music. Tune into the rhythm of the streets, feel the pulse of the beats, and understand why trap music has become an irresistible force in today's musical landscape.
Eric Reese
"Every book I write goes into uncharted territories others won't pen." About me: I'm Eric Reese, born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. I've worked as a community organizer, educator, graphic design, human services and a number of other fields. I'm the recipient of the first Mayoral Scholarship of Philadelphia (1993), the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers Human Relations Award (1989) and a few other awards and scholarships nationally and globally. I've always had an interest in writing especially from the old-journal-in-the-morning days as many of my books today reflect my experiences here and abroad. When I have time for myself, I love traveling, mediating and researching new marketing tactics. One of my weirdest experiences was when I once lived on a top roof in an apartment building in Beirut for a few weeks until I found somewhere to stay during the war in Afghanistan. Every night, I'd listen to BBC radio and hear the chaos while not be detected. Some say that my lively and energetic character has made me many friends across the world. I really hope so; with many friends come many enemies. In the future, I'd love to own a large home somewhere in a quiet peaceful spacious area where my neighbors are not close but not far. Now I live wherever is called home at the time in hopes of achieving my goal one of these days. You can contact me at feekness@gmail.com
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The History of Trap - Eric Reese
THE HISTORY OF TRAP
ERIC REESE
Copyright © 2022 by Eric Reese
All rights reserved.
No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.
CONTENTS
What is Trap?
Origins of Trap
Subgenres Of Trap
Fusion Trap and its genres
Notable Trap Albums to Date
Afterword
WHAT IS TRAP?
The trap is a hip-hop subgenre that arose in the early 2000s in the southern United States. The term trap
comes from an Atlanta slang term that refers to a residence that is only used to distribute narcotics. Complex hi-hat rhythms, tuned kick drums with a lengthy decay (initially from the Roland TR-808 drum machine), and lyrical material that typically focuses on drug addiction and urban violence define trap music, which employs synthetic drums. It only uses a few instruments, virtually entirely comprising of snare drums and double- or triple-timed hi-hats.
Producers Kurtis Mantronik, Mannie Fresh, Shawty Redd, Zaytoven, Fatboi, DJ Screw, and Toomp, as well as artists Young Jeezy, Gucci Mane, and T.I., are all pioneers of the genre (who coined the term with his 2003 album Trap Muzik). Producer Lex Luger, who cofounded the successful hip-hop production company 808 Mafia and created the groundbreaking WakaFlocka Flame album Flockaveli in 2010, pioneered the current trap sound.
The trap has become one of the most popular forms of American music since breaking into the mainstream in the 2010s, consistently dominating the Billboard Hot 100 throughout the decade, with artists like Drake, Future, Cardi B, Migos, Lil Uzi Vert, Post Malone, XXXTentacion, Young Thug, and Travis Scott (among many others) all achieving No. 1s on the chart with songs featuring trap-inspired production.
It has influenced many pop and R&B musicians, including Ariana Grande, Beyoncé, Miley Cyrus, Rihanna, and others. Reggaetón and K-pop are examples of its impact. According to Nielsen Data, hip-hop became the most popular style of music for the first time in 2018, coinciding with trap’s sustained success. In 2019, Lil Nas X’s trap-inspired country/rap crossover Old Town Road
(with Billy Ray Cyrus) set a new record for the most weeks (19) at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, as well as the fastest single to achieve Diamond Certification.
Characteristics
Lyrical topics in trap music must focus around life and culture in the trap
or in a real southern trap house
where drugs are peddled. The terminology trap
refers to a location where drugs are sold. Street life, getting riches, crime, cars, and struggles that artists have had in their southern American settings are among the other subjects covered. If the trap
isn’t mentioned in the song, it isn’t considered trap
music.
Crisp, grimy, and rhythmic snares, deep 808 kick drums, double-time, triple-time, and similarly divided hi-hats, and cinematic and symphonic use of string, brass, woodwind, and keyboard instruments are used to create an energetic, hard-hitting, deep, and varied atmosphere in trap music. Producer Shawty Redd is responsible for these key features, which have become the hallmark sound of trap music. Trap beats can be as slow as 50 B.P.M. (coded at 100 BPM for finer hi-hat subdivision) or as fast as 88 (176) B.P.M., although the average trap beat is about 70 (140) B.P.M.
ORIGINS OF TRAP
The 1990s–2003: Origins
Lil Jon from Atlanta, Georgia, where the term trap