Trap

Trap began in the early 1920s and was much closer to standard hip hop than the trap we know today. The only major difference between the two at this time is that trap music had different lyrical content. Trap was about making and selling crack cocaine in a house dedicated to cooking/selling crack cocaine, which was known as trap. It still used the same sampling techniques, but over time producers started making the bass heavier and heavier. Notable artists from this era include Young Jeezy, T.I. and Gucci Mane. The turning point was when the big Atlanta producers (Zaytoven, Shawty Redd, etc.) started to extend the release of the 808 drum machine kick, which when played on speakers that could play low frequencies, produced very powerful bass. They then started using this extended 808 kick as a bass line, creating the backbone of modern trap music. This was followed by the hat's fast-timed and ever-changing rhythmic patterns. During this change, instrumentation began to abandon traditional hip hop styles and move towards less sample-based and more instrument-based production. Producers began to rely heavily on strings and brass to create this new heavy sound. Eventually, each producer would find their own sound, making trap a very diverse genre. Over time, trap became very experimental, leading to the many different styles we see today.