Trap Soul

Trap soul is a form of Trap that emerged in the mid-2010s. Trap soul mixes vocals and lyrical matter derived from Alternative R&B and Contemporary R&B with trap production, and it is characterized by atmospheric, lush, and nocturnal production (inspired by alternative R&B), that is usually less energetic and more somber than other trap production styles. While most trap soul artists croon and sing like in regular R&B, trap soul often features rap-influenced cadences or even full-on sing-rapping as well, and occasionally features full rap verses. The genre has its roots in both the alternative R&B scene of the early 2010s, particularly that of Toronto artists like The Weeknd and PARTYNEXTDOOR, and the developments made by certain trap artists like Future, whose work converged with alt R&B developments. The genre's origins have additionally been traced back to the moody, auto-tuned and nocturnal music of Kanye West's 808s & Heartbreak, and the subsequent records it inspired. Trap soul's lyrics usually revolve around subjects of romance, heartbreak, sex, drugs, clubbing, and nightlife, and more typical Hip Hop subjects like braggadocio and crime aren't uncommon. Trap soul would fully arise in the mid-2010s, following the release of Bryson Tiller's debut album T R A P S O U L, which gave the genre its name. Other newcomers like Tory Lanez and 6LACK would join the emerging sound, but it would also attract older established R&B singers like Jeremih and Ty Dolla $ign, and hip hop artists such as Drake, who worked with fellow Toronto musicians. Trap soul's rise coincided with the growing prominence of trap production in Pop and popular R&B as a whole, and it sometimes mixed with parallel trends, like the "trap&b" of artists such as Fetty Wap, the trap-inspired pop of Ariana Grande, and the lighter, poppy and melodic trap of artists like Post Malone.