Trap, a term derived from the ever-popular home-based “drug stores and manufacturers” in urban neighborhoods combines with a sound saturated with lyrical content of what transpires in those “trap houses” – thus creating the term trap music. A term that holds a negative connotation for those who don’t understand its’ roots, with forefathers like Gucci Mane, Young Jeezy, T.I and Lil Boosie to name a few amid legendary production styling’s from the likes of Zaytoven, Lex Luger and Mike WiLL Made-It, it’s a sound that’s truly evolved and taken over the world.

The sound may appear momentary because we are indeed living in its’ moment.

Trap music is a branch on the tree of hip-hop. People say real hip-hop is Grandmaster Flash, Jay-Z, DMX, Ice Cube, Lil Kim, Tupac, Queen Latifah etc. and that’s true – that’s “their” hip-hop. They were cultivating the sounds of their era, of their technology boundaries, of their desired substance. At the time they may have felt legendary or they may have just felt that they were making music, putting the pen to the pad and letting it all out. Legends are born over time, well in this day and age – over night, but true mastery of an art form takes years, going viral back in the day was selling a million hard copies of your album not an overnight Instagram “success.”

Trap Music, as a coined term, is a sound of these modern times and in some cases of pop-up, wanna-be, instant-fame seekers that disrespects the craft but we know that music is one of the most desired career fields next to struggling seeing as that Trap Music reveals the reality of hard times, illegal drug and gun related activity and urban neighborhood living.The mêlée is desired as well even if it’s false. People recreate lives, childhoods and current careers to try to fit into the mold of being a “trapper.” There’s an allure to fast money, women and riches but the culture of this type of music represents way more than its’ financial rewards.  The art of rapping about drugs, while no new art form, the way this generation executes its’ sound represents what’s so new about it.

Trap Music is more than a sound saturated with heavy 808’s and layered synthesizers its’ a way of life, a fashion statement, a vocabulary – unlike any other music genre. It perpetuates fast living, violence, drug use and peddling there of but it also tells inspirational accounts of how to overcome discord and persist no matter your circumstance.  Empowerment is infused into it’s lyrical make-up as well. Trappers don’t want to trap forever. They want to clean up their money and live life sovereign not always looking over their shoulder. The content of Trap Music is very therapeutic to those who’ve endured “hood-living” circumstances. A trapper should be one of the most feared businessmen because they can turn nothing into something so imagine what they could do with legal accessibility to wealth garnered through doing something they love like making music.

We can’t stop creatives from expressing their reality.

With the success of modern day trap-rappers like The Migos, 21 Savage, 6ix9ine and YNF Lucci to name a few it’s apparent that Trap Music will be around for many years to come, so when asked the question of rather Trap Music is momentary or legendary – it’s legendary indeed!

Take a listen to some trap music from then and now below!