Trap Music

The Sound of Modern Grit

Trap music is a subgenre of hip-hop that originated in the Southern United States in the early 2000s. The name refers to the “trap,” a slang term for a house used for the illegal drug trade, and the genre’s early lyrics often centered on the dark realities of street life and hustling. The sonic identity of trap is defined by its hard-hitting and atmospheric production: deep, booming sub-bass from a Roland TR-808 drum machine, fast, skittering hi-hats programmed in double or triple time, and dark, cinematic melodies played on synthesizers.

During the 2010s, trap’s production style crossed over and became arguably the most influential sound in mainstream pop, hip-hop, and even EDM. Its popularity has made it a go-to genre for film soundtracks and, especially, movie trailers.

The tense, aggressive, and dramatic sound of trap is frequently used in films to create a mood of modern, urban danger. It is a staple of crime thrillers and action movies. The critically acclaimed soundtrack for Marvel’s Black Panther (2018), curated by Kendrick Lamar, was heavily influenced by trap music. Furthermore, the hard-hitting 808s and dramatic sound design of trap make it an extremely popular choice for action and superhero movie trailers, with the “trap remix” of a well-known song becoming a common trope.