Dark trap is a subgenre of hip hop music that emerged in the early 2010s. It is characterized by its dark, moody, and aggressive sound that sets it apart from more upbeat and lighthearted trap music. Dark trap rose to prominence alongside the growing popularity of trap music and has developed its own dedicated following and hip hop scene.
What are the Origins of Dark Trap?
Dark trap traces its origins back to southern hip hop and the rise of trap music in Atlanta in the 2000s and early 2010s. Artists like T.I., Gucci Mane, and Young Jeezy pioneered the trap sound, which was defined by its synthesized drums, ominous minor-key melodies, and lyrics focused on drug dealing and street life.
As trap proliferated and entered the mainstream in the early 2010s, certain artists started experimenting with an even darker, more menacing take on the genre. Rapper and producer Lex Luger is often credited with developing the early dark trap style with his production work for Rick Ross, Chief Keef, and others. Luger’s beats incorporated horror movie-esque synthesizers and heavy 808 basslines that became a blueprint for the emerging dark trap wave.
Other important early dark trap artists included A$AP Rocky, SpaceGhostPurrp, and Denzel Curry. These rappers crafted songs that had the hard-hitting trap drum patterns but matched them with bleaker, more atmospheric sounds and lyrics ridden with pain, rage, and nihilism. Dark trap songs also frequently incorporated metal and punk influences in their beats and vocal deliveries.
What are the Main Characteristics of Dark Trap Music?
There are several key qualities that define the dark trap genre:
- Dark, ominous production: Synthesizers, keyboards and drum machines are used to create moody, often discordant instrumentals built around minor keys and eerie melodies.
- Heavy 808s: The deep, booming basslines from 808 drum machines provide a signature quality of the trap sound. In dark trap, the 808s are intensified for maximum impact.
- Violent lyrical content: Lyrics frequently explore subjects like murder, drug abuse, mental illness, and suicide over the bleak-sounding beats.
- Aggressive flows: Rappers employ fast, rhythmic flows and shouted or screamed vocals to match the intense production.
- Punk and metal influences: Dark trap productions often incorporate elements of rock and heavy metal like distorted guitars and aggressive drum patterns.
Compared to more upbeat traditional trap, dark trap creates a grim, foreboding atmosphere with its musical and lyrical style. Producers use minor keys, dissonant sounds, and heavy bass to set a dark tone while rappers respond with rapid, dense flows and explicit lyrics.
Who are the Major Artists in Dark Trap Music?
While dark trap started underground, it has spawned several breakout stars who have brought the sound to wider audiences. Some key artists include:
- $uicideboy$: This rap duo from New Orleans represents the quintessential dark trap group. Their songs mix haunting beats with lyrics about depression, addiction, and violence.
- Ghostemane: Mixing hardcore punk with Satanic imagery and dense, intricate rapping, Ghostemane creates a uniquely dark alternative trap sound.
- XXXTentacion: The controversial Florida rapper explored the emo-influenced side of dark trap with hits like “Look at Me!” and “SAD!” before his death in 2018.
- Scarlxrd: British artist Scarlxrd combines screamed vocals reminiscent of nu metal with dynamic trap production.
- Denzel Curry: While not exclusively dark trap, Curry was an early pioneer and has made classics in the genre like “Ultimate” and “Clout Cobain.”
- 21 Savage: The Atlanta rapper brings a cold, nihilistic delivery and streetwise lyrics over haunting, minimal beats.
Other notable names include Night Lovell, Ramirez, Pouya, City Morgue, Rico Nasty, and ZillaKami. While styles vary, these artists all bring a bleakness and aggression to trap’s signature sound.
What are Some Well-Known Dark Trap Songs?
Here are some essential songs that exemplify the dark trap sound:
- “Paris” – $uicideboy$
- “Ultimate” – Denzel Curry
- “Look at Me!” – XXXTentacion
- “Percs” – Denzel Curry
- “Venom” – Ghostemane
- “Knuck If You Buck” – Crime Mob
- “Right Now” – Kanye West
- “Manikin” – $uicideboy$”
- “R.I.P.” – Playboi Carti
- “Gnostalgic” – Ghostemane
How did Dark Trap Music Evolve and Spread?
In the early 2010s, dark trap was confined to the underground rap scene, pioneered by just a handful of artists. But it slowly gained momentum and racked up millions of views on YouTube and SoundCloud off the strength of its unique sound.
The mainstream breakthrough came around 2015-2016 as XXXTentacion and $uicideboy$ started growing large cult followings online. Dark trap aesthetics and sounds began spreading into the styles of rappers like Lil Uzi Vert and Playboi Carti. Today, nearly every popular rapper dabbles in the darker sides of trap at least occasionally.
Part of dark trap’s appeal is its escapist quality – listeners can immerse themselves in the grim, nihilistic lyrics and aggressive beats that capture mental states like pain, paranoia, and self-destructiveness. Major labels and streaming services have caught onto dark trap’s commercial viability, signing more artists and promoting their music.
Regionally, dark trap is most closely associated with the Southern styles it evolved from. But it has spread across North America as different regions put their own spin on the genre – New York drill music, for instance, has adopted aspects of dark trap.
The trend today is dark trap continues expanding its musical palette, incorporating elements of punk, metal, industrial, and electronic music for an increasingly experimental, diversified sound.
What is the Culture and Community Surrounding Dark Trap?
Dark trap originally grew out of underground hip hop circles and SoundCloud rap communities online centered around darker music and imagery. Fans congregated in online spaces like Reddit and music forums to discuss artists and share their music.
Like many rap subcultures, fashion plays an important role. The style associated with dark trap artists and fans includes all-black clothing, face tattoos, grills, bloody/horror imagery, and punk/metal-influenced accessories like chains and spikes.
Due to the often taboo lyrical content, dark trap culture fosters a misfit community that feels alienated from mainstream society. Despite its rebellious, nonconformist attitude, the community is strongly bonded by its outsider mentalities.
Controversy is also a major component of the genre. Various dark trap artists have been accused of promoting violence, drug use, and misogyny in their lyrics. Debates around artistic expression and freedom versus responsibility are common in the scene.
Live shows create a communal, high-energy environment for fans to mosh and vent aggression to the cathartic music. At its best, dark trap provides a safe space for listeners to confront and release their anger and inner demons.
How has Dark Trap Music Influenced Hip Hop and Culture?
Dark trap has impacted hip hop in a few key ways:
- It helped expand trap music’s sonic range by introducing punk, metal, and industrial sounds.
- The emotional, “emo” lyrical content set a precedent for vulnerability and sensitivity in hardcore rap.
- Its transgressive aesthetics and lyrics forced debates about music’s responsibility for violence/drug glorification.
- Its popularity revealed public appetite for more extreme, explicit content.
- It boosted the cult followings of “SoundCloud rap” and viral hip hop subcultures.
- It showed the commercial potential of previously underground styles like Memphis horrorcore.
Beyond music, dark trap reflects and resonates with the darker mindsets and emotions prevalent among today’s youth. It provides an outlet for disaffected individuals to channel their anger, alienation, and hopelessness. While often controversial, it gives a voice to genuine feelings of inner turmoil.
Figures like XXXTentacion and Lil Peep have become icons by expressing vulnerability and being open about mental health struggles. Dark trap artists tend to cultivate deep, intimate connections with fans through sharing their personal pain.
From a fashion perspective, dark trap style has also been widely influential. Its gothic streetwear aesthetics have inspired trends in the mainstream and high fashion worlds.
What is the Current State and Future of Dark Trap?
Currently, dark trap stands as a firmly established subgenre with a devoted fanbase. High streaming numbers and sold-out shows confirm its popularity continues growing.
However, the controversy around lyrics promoting violence and drug use has also intensified. The oft-cited influence of artists like XXXTentacion in abusive relationships has added scrutiny.
Major labels have scaled back on signing darker artists, although they continue promoting those already on their rosters. This means the genre is still largely driven by young up-and-comers self-releasing music on streaming platforms and building organic followings.
Sonically, dark trap is pushing its boundaries, with artists collaborating across genres and incorporating more diverse influences. Fans anticipate even more hybridization with metal, new wave, gothic rock, and post-punk.
Due to its relatively young lifespan, dark trap will likely continue evolving rapidly in the coming years. New artists will expand its sounds, themes, and aesthetics in unpredictable directions. But its crucial angsty, rebellious energy seems primed to endure and reshape rap’s landscape.
Conclusion
Dark trap emerged as a bleaker offshoot of trap music characterized by ominous beats and aggressive lyricism. Originating from Southern hip hop, it gained popularity through artists like SpaceGhostPurrp, Denzel Curry, and $uicideboy$ who pioneered its unique style. The genre grew a substantial cult following drawn to its dark escapist qualities and taboo themes.
Lyrics focusing on violence, drugs, and mental illness fueled controversy around dark trap. But the music provided an expressive outlet for disaffected youth and outsiders. It also expanded hip hop’s sonic palette by incorporating punk, metal, and industrial. Dark trap continues impacting the mainstream while remaining a primarily underground phenomenon driven by young DIY artists.
Going forward, dark trap will likely increase experimenting with genre hybridization and pushing boundaries. Its influence confirms public appetite for music reflecting darker headspaces. For fans, it offers a space to transgress societal norms and channel negativity into a cathartic community. Dark trap’s future path remains murky, but its cultural significance and appeal are undeniable.