The Hybrid Genre

Trap music (EDM variant) is a high-energy electronic subgenre blending Southern hip-hop’s 808 drums, rapid hi-hats, and synth leads with festival-ready drops. Emerging 2012-2013 via producers like Baauer, RL Grime, and Flosstradamus, it replaced dubstep as EDM’s dominant aggressive sound by 2014.

Origins & Crossover

Trap originated in 1990s Atlanta hip-hop (T.I., Gucci Mane, Young Jeezy), named after “trap houses” (drug dealing locations). The sound’s 808 bass, snappy snares, and triplet hi-hats became iconic.

Dutch producer Diplo and trap pioneer Flosstradamus began fusing trap’s percussion with EDM production techniques around 2011. The hybrid genre exploded in 2012 when Baauer’s “Harlem Shake” went viral (400M+ YouTube views), sparking a dance craze and legitimizing trap for festival audiences.

Festival Takeover (2013-2015)

By 2013, trap dominated EDM festivals as dubstep waned:

• RL Grime released High Beams EP (2013), establishing dark cinematic trap aesthetic
• Flosstradamus pioneered “festival trap” (aggressive drops, mosh pit energy, “HDYNATION” fanbase)
• Rustie blurred lines between trap, future bass, and maximalist electronica
• Hucci created atmospheric trap (slower BPM, R&B influence, SoundCloud cult following)

EDC 2014: bassPOD stage featured 70% trap artists. Ultra 2015: trap dominated mainstage rotations.

Notable Tracks

“Harlem Shake” - Baauer (2012): Viral sensation, 400M views, dance craze
”Core” - RL Grime (2014): Festival anthem, became entrance theme for sports teams
”Original Don” (Flosstradamus Remix) - Major Lazer (2012): Early trap crossover
”Rollup (Baauer Remix)” - Flosstradamus (2012): SoundCloud era defining track
”Turn Down for What” - DJ Snake & Lil Jon (2013): Crossover hit, 1B+ YouTube views

Trap Arms & Culture

Trap arms: Hands up, elbows bent, wrists twisting on beat drops — became signature dance move (meme-ified 2013-2015)

Festival culture: Trap fans embraced hip-hop aesthetics (snapbacks, jerseys, gold chains) over rave culture’s kandi bracelets. Mosh pits replaced shuffle circles. The “turn up” energy contrasted future bass’s emotional vulnerability.

Genre Splits

Festival Trap: Flosstradamus, Gent & Jawns (aggressive, mosh-friendly)
Cinematic Trap: RL Grime, What So Not (film score grandeur)
Chill Trap: Mura Masa, Sober Rob (R&B vocals, slower tempo)
Hybrid Trap: Ekali, NGHTMRE (trap + dubstep + future bass)

Decline (2016+)

Trap’s festival dominance peaked 2014-2015. By 2016, oversaturation and bass music fragmentation pushed artists toward house, future bass, or experimental sounds. RL Grime pivoted to broader “bass music,” Flosstradamus disbanded (2016), Baauer explored experimental club music.

Legacy

Trap’s influence persisted through:

• 808-driven pop music (Post Malone, Travis Scott)
• Hybrid bass music (Rezz, SVDDEN DEATH)
• Hip-hop festival crossovers (Rolling Loud featuring electronic acts)

Resources

• Baauer “Harlem Shake”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qV0LHCHf-pE
• RL Grime “Core”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=04ufimjXEbA
• Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trap_music