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Even though there are plenty of hip hop purists that want to separate trap from rap, they will always be connected as trap is a sub-genre of rap. Trap music started to gain traction in the early 90s in Southern America; the signifiers of the trap style became an aggressive sound, and equally as aggressive lyrics which primarily focused on drug dealing and drug use.

Instrumentally, trap separated itself from hip hop with heavier basslines, faster time signatures, prominent 808s, layered synths, and for the more experimental trap artists, cinematic strings. Lyrically, trap artists were even more visceral in their rap bars about the inescapable gang and drug lifestyles (hence, trap) than the original gangster rappers. Atlanta became the capital of trap, while Ghetto Mafia, Goodie Mob, Outkast, Dungeon Family and Cool Breeze became the pioneers.

A decade after the inception of trap, artists such as Gucci Mane, 2 Chainz, Triple 6 Mafia and Young Jeezy started pushing the genre even further and allowing it to branch out into the diverse scene that it is today. Producers also had a pivotal role in the evolution of trap; the likes of Drumma Boy, Shawty Redd and Mike WiLL contributed to the contemporary trap sound that incorporates a dark atmosphere, street culture and a hard-hitting high-octane sound. At the turn of the century, trap not only dominated the airwaves, but it also became commonplace in strip clubs in the south too.

The first wave of trap broke into the mainstream in 2003 with the release of T.I.’s second studio album; it sold over 2 million copies and T.I. received a sync deal with EA sports. After his success, T.I. explained the motivation behind his career; to help people understand the actions of people that come from a less privileged side of life. A similar ethos is carried by the new generation of trap artists who are often misbranded as brash or crass when really, their music is reflective of their lives. In 2005, Young Jeezy entered the US Billboard Charts at number 2 after selling 172,000 copies of his album, Let’s Get It: Thug Motivation 101, in the week after its release. It later became a platinum record.

Fast forward to 2012; the trap scene started to merge with the EDM scene as producers and DJs started to weave trap styles into their dance mixes. Many are under the false impression that this was the beginning for trap, and it came along as some new millennial trend, but this is far from the case. In 2021, there are multiple trap sub-genres, even ones as far-reaching as trap metal. The most promising trappers to watch include the likes of Rico Nasty, Nayana Iz, Lil Uzi Vert and Waka Flaka Flame.

Zinc XD cuts loose in his melodic experimental hip hop track, NO TIES

Northern California hip hop artist and producer Zinc XD used our innate incapacity for honesty as the muse for his stormer of a latest single, NO TIES.

NO TIES breaks boundaries with its intricately exotic instrumentals and sniping lyrical wit that puts the independent 100% DIY artist leagues above the rest. Few push the experimental envelope further than Zinc XD with his melodic electronic sequencing that effortlessly complements his vocal style, which allows you to bask in the charisma in his expression.

After playing around with drums, guitars and lyrics since the age of 6, Zinc XD waited until he was 17 to launch his debut. Many would believe that is still too early to boast a matured sound; to that, I would say just press play and drink in the colourful mellifluous flow of this new wave hit.

Stream NO TIES on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Trap Pap rode on the highest vibes in his latest single, Counter That

Baltimore rapper Trap Pap is riding on the highest vibes in his latest single, Counter That, featuring SPL Haiti. If reality is perception, you will be looking through rose-tinted glasses with the motivational music icon on your playlists.

The butter wouldn’t melt bars that spit equal amounts of conviction and soul seamlessly fuse with the light, luxe and sunny instrumentals that throwback to the golden era of hip hop while simultaneously bringing in a new wave of melodic trap.

Even after witnessing trap life and the death of loved ones, Trap Pap strives to better the world he documents through his music by always giving his fans an alternative to apathy and pessimism. When it comes to motivational hip hop, he’s the GOAT.

Check out the official music video for Counter That, which premiered on September 30th on YouTube.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

 

Tea Sea takes us down ‘The River’ with the killer cadence in his latest trap track

Virginia Beach trap artist, Tea Sea, has been picking up momentous traction since his 2020 debut. Following the release of his latest single, The River, on October 14th, he’s set to deservedly break the 1 million streaming mark with the conviction-fuelled earworm.

By collaborating with the overseas producers placerbeatz and marni boy, The River is a blazing triumph of an electronic trap track, with Tea Sea’s ingenious rhyme schemes tearing through the discordant dystopian colossal tones.

With his killer cadence, dynamite vocal dynamism, and determination to connect with the disillusioned and disenfranchised with his music, Tea Sea’s music grips you with a rare veracity that makes it easy to see why he’s garnering so much hype. The River may just be his most viscerally fresh track to date.

We couldn’t be more stoked for him in this luminary chapter of his music career. We haven’t been able to forget him since his melodic earworm, Vitals, tore away at our sense of empathy and our love for slamming hip hop candour.

Here’s what Tea Sea had to say about his latest release:

“It is all about respect. It also explores the hunger for success and the determination to not take no for an answer when people stand in the way of your career goals and attempt to derail them.

I have been writing songs for over 12 years, and I have always had that mindset throughout my journey. This instrumental was made by two producers overseas who are at the grindstone endlessly trying to realize their full potential too.”

The River is set to release on October 14th. Catch it on Spotify & SoundCloud.

Follow Tea Sea on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Ky Woods’ words cut deep in his new wave rap track, Mentally Wasted

Raw wounds bleed in Ky Woods’ latest confessional indie new wave rap track, Mentally Wasted. Between the juicy vocal hooks and the ensnaringly deep lyrics, it hits hard, but there’s some comfort in the dark narrative the up-and-coming artist weaved through the relatability and the sticky-sweet sensibility of the angular guitar lines against the rattle of the 808s.

The Indiana-born, Dallas-based emotion-driven artist takes complete control over his tracks after he learned how to mix and master before his debut single, No Where, which was released in 2021. Between his determination to make it in the industry and the clear talent in his sound, it is easy to see that he’s not going to be on the underground for long.

Mentally Wasted is available to stream across all platforms via this link.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Alt Electro Hip Hop Heavy Weight, Sol Nocte Has Made His Entrance with ‘Hallucinating;, featuring xS!r N3llyx

Breaking new wave hip hop artist Sol Nocte sent ingenuity rippling through the music industry with the drop of his debut single, Hallucinating, featuring xS!r N3llyx.

The trippy, 8-bit discord-dripping electro beats almost veer into industrial electronica, but they are pulled back into the realms of hip hop with the groove of the melodies that work your way into your synapses under the layered dual vocals, which throw reminiscence to everyone from Labrinth to Tech N9ne.

Hallucinating is a stellar track in its own right. Even more so when you consider that it was born on an iPhone as a result of Sol Nocte’s passion that ensured the track was staunch with visceralism.

Hallucinating is now available to purchase on Apple Music and available to stream on YouTube.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

KingTay shared his infectious high energy in his Trap track, Feels GOOD

A new wave of hip hop just crashed in through KingTay’s high-vibing latest single, Feels GOOD. The Philadelphia-born up-and-coming artist broke through the dark cloud that overbears youth and communities in America to share his high inspiring energy. Feels GOOD is one of his most efficaciously uplifting tracks yet; over the cinematic beats, he runs his consistently dynamic bars through lyricism that takes introspection to the next level.

“It feels good to be finally living” is a powerful hook – a powerful hook that proves KingTay has endured a stagnant transition. It’s an infectious affirmation for anyone going through the same.

As an artist not just inspired by the hip hop greats but by songwriting visionaries such as the Beatles, every track from KingTay is charged with individual artistry. It’s not often hip hop artists break boundaries lyrically and sonically, but clearly, he is a force to be reckoned with.

The official music video for Feels GOOD premiered on September 7th. Check it out on YouTube.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Clint Cash speaks for the financially disenfranchised in his latest dark trap single, Ballin

Jackson, Tennessee-hailing hip hop artist Clint Cash has allowed music to take him from rock bottom to a place of passion and creativity. His fourth self-produced album, Cold Heart, captures much of his struggle, especially the standout single, Ballin.

The dark and atmospheric trappy beats in Ballin reflect the extreme lows that he has endured as well as the lyrics which viscerally run through relatable struggles, with a focus on the difficulty of relationships with money when you’re contending with a scarcity of it. It’s a sombre single, but the overarching energy is nothing short of vindicating for anyone that could never relate to hip hop tracks that are braggadocios about lavish excess.

Ballin is now available to stream on YouTube.

Follow Clint Cash on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Hardstyle meets hip hop in the Battery remix of DFlexXx’s Mus B

Feel the bass viscerally slam in the Battery Remix of DFlexXx’s latest release, Mus B. After becoming one of the most luminary names in the UK rap scene following his 2020 debut, the Welsh artist, inspired by the likes of Lil Wayne, Travis Scott, Tyga, Drake and Chris Brown, took his sound to the next level with this monolithic remix that will push your speakers to the limits and get your body rocking to the ferociously magnetic hardstyle rhythms.

DFlexXx set out to be as memorable as possible while staying in his own lane, based on Mus B alone, which hits as hard as Showtek’s biggest hits, he achieved it. That’s without mentioning the rapper’s ability to command a crowd of over 10,000 while supporting the likes of Sugarhill Gang, DJ Ironik and Lady Leshurr.

Check out the Battery Remix of Mus B on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Texas trap crooner, brody, is back in motion with his latest single, RIDE WITH ME

Trap trailblazer brody is back in motion with his latest 2022 single, RIDE WITH ME. The vibe-driven track proves that soulful crooning hooks more than have a place within the genre, especially when they grind along to dance-worthy colourful melodies that will get serotonin spilling to their flow.

The Independent Fort Worth, Texas hailing artist has been turning up the heat even more in the South since his debut single, Roses, dropped in 2020. In addition to cooking up his own energetic hooks, he is the founder and owner of Good Intentions Entertainment, which is set to change the shape of hip hop in the South for the better.

RIDE WITH ME is now available to stream on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Steph Delz took urban Avant Garde to the extreme with ‘Lockjaw’

LA’s Steph Delz put the trip in trip-hop in his latest experimental track, Lockjaw; it isn’t music as we have known it before, but any fans of extreme urban Avant Garde will want to pay attention.

He’s a ghost in the machine in the hyper-warped 8-Bit production, which may be a little too out-there for most Trap fans, but the up and coming artist and producer has certainly carved himself an autonomous niche in the market; in 2022, that’s an achievement in itself.

Lockjaw was officially released on September 19th; it is now available to stream on SoundCloud.

Review by Amelia Vandergast