Examining the differences between Rap and Trap music genres

This study examines the socio-cultural, musical, verbal differences between Rap and Trap music genres from the perspective of Musicology and Music Technologies. The effect of both socio-cultural and technological changes in the process of Rap music, which emerged in the 1970s, has been reflected in the production of this music genre. With the development in music technologies, the production practices of the Rap music genre have changed and it has been a factor in the emergence of the Trap music genre, which is a sub-genre of Rap music. In the process of Trap music, which emerged in a socio-cultural environment different from Rap music, from the 1980s to the present, changing music production practices under the influence of developing music technologies and widespread digital music listening platforms have been important factors for this music genre. If we briefly talk about the differences between the Rap music genre and the Trap music genre examined in this study; While rap music aims to rebel against social injustices and create social change, trap music emphasizes individuality, financial success and luxury life. Rap music gives importance to rhythmic arrangement and rhyme in oral narrative with an approach based on community consciousness. Trap music, on the other hand, focuses on a faster and more intense verbal narrative, and its rhythmic structure is more complex and energetic. While there is a simpler vocal structure in Rap music in terms of vocal structures, with the effect of Auto-Tune, which has become one of the main elements of the genre in Trap music, with the effect of the music technologies used, more melodic and more lyrical elements come to the fore. In rap music, tagging performed by the vocalist and MC has become integrated into the beat with sound effects and musical taggings made by the producer or beatmaker in trap music. The use of samples in rap music is more repetitive within the periodical technological possibilities. The sample use of trap music, on the other hand, is more experimental and technology-oriented. Authentic sounds can be created using digital samplers and sources can be manipulated in different ways. For both genres, loops based on repetitive sound patterns are frequently used in sampling and give the music a characteristic rhythm and groove. As a result, the differences between Rap and Trap music genres emerge in elements such as cultural, musical, verbal and production practices. Both genres are popular with young audiences and offer them the opportunity to express and build identity. This study has helped us to understand what kind of differences emerge within what factors and what kind of Rap and Trap music genres. This study is an academic examination of the differences between Rap and Trap music genres.