Dance trap, often known simply as trap or EDM trap, is a dynamic music genre that emerged in the early 2010s, blending elements from various styles to create a unique sound popular in electronic dance music scenes.
Definition of Dance Trap
Based on its origins and characteristics, dance trap is best understood as a fusion genre. It draws heavily from hip hop, rave music, and EDM (electronic dance music). This blend results in a sound that is distinct from traditional hip hop trap music, often featuring heavy bass, intricate percussion (particularly hi-hats), and often incorporating electronic music elements like synthesizers, build-ups, and drops.
Genre Fusion
The core of dance trap lies in its combination of different musical backgrounds:
- Hip Hop: Contributes the foundational rhythmic structures, often including 808 bass drums and distinct trap percussion patterns.
- Rave Music: Influences can be heard in the energy, sometimes aggressive or euphoric sound design, and use of build-ups and drops characteristic of electronic dance music intended for large gatherings.
- EDM (Electronic Dance Music): Provides the overall production techniques, synthesizer sounds, and structure often geared towards dancefloors, positioning it firmly within the broader electronic music landscape.
Origins
EDM trap originated in the early 2010s. Its rise in popularity coincided with the peaking popularity of other electronic music styles like big room house and the increasing mainstream presence of hip hop's trap music subgenre. This confluence of popular sounds provided fertile ground for the fusion that became known as EDM trap or dance trap, solidifying its place within the electronic dance music circuit.
