Ethnography

Trap

The genre Trap was introduced in the late 1990's in the UK. This type of sound was similar to genres like hip hop, was created in the UK. The reason why this took off in areas like London was because it started off and still is postcode encouraged. The main attributes of a 'Trap beat' is the simplicity. A simple track with usually a man rapping over the top.

Sonic

The average trap beat is not hard to create because unlike other genres, Most instruments used, like particular drum patterns that play at a 120-140bpm tempo are samples online, that you would download as an mp3. Some drums used have been taken from other genres and have been given new meanings. For example a crash from an Asian percussion kit is often used in most trap beats.  These would be added behind a piano riff and possibly a pad. These are played a special type of way including minor and major notes that are usually used to create a darker and more intense atmosphere. There would then be a rapper writing vocals for the instrumental which is another difference to other genres, being that the rappers write to the beat rather then the beat being made especially for some vocals.

Topics

 When rappers create their lyrics, it tends to include a number of topics;

where they live, how much money they make, how they make their money and how they interact with woman. The main topic is the postcode. People who live in areas with their friends will make it clear in the tracks they rap on. The reason of this is to either promote the area they live in or brag about the area. This causes allot of clashes because of the postcodes people rap about. Some people may not like that area and will comment on it. Only recently has this become a serious threat to young people in the UK as more and more people are dying because of what they rap about.

Visual

People want to be successful in the uk rap scene have to live a certain life style. People often shoot music videos because people want to show of their designer shoes, jeans and cars. If you have this apearance and your music is good then you're more then likely to succeed. There are also other wats to attract this specific audience and that would to be 'savage'. This means if you either run an area or are someone that people are scared of due to reputation. Thats more of the Quietpvck Trap rather then normal uk.

Technological

how you experience it

I've grown up listening to trap from from secondary school times. It was a genre that no one really listen to because it was a new style of grime really. Most of my friends listened to US styles which instrumenal wise were fairly similar. I also new a couple people who rapped on channels like pacmantv (main channel for this style on youtube), becuase it was such a local thing. Thats another reason why i felt more enganged in the music. Because most people like music from different countries like America and think they are actually from there, for example Ryan. But i like this because mist of the rappers i listen to either share the same post code or are based so close to me.

body

time

When discussing time on the trap genre we could be talking about Bpm, when it was originally made or when it had blown up. 

The Bpm stays fairly similar when composing a trap beat. It varies between the 120-140 bpm. This is because the speed of this is a head bouncing timing or what i like to call a 'Hype Bpm' with a simple piano riff and a couple dramatic crashes before the drop and lyrics makes the song exiting before you reach 8 bars.

The instrumental is just as important when creating a 'Banger' 

The time where trap really came alive was around 2010 allthough it was around but not as popular in the early 2000's. the genres has evolved during this time, even Bpm wise.