History
Country Trap is one of the latest and most controversial musical genres to emerge in recent years. It is a fusion of Country music and Trap, a subgenre of hip-hop, that has taken the music industry by storm. Country trap music has been polarizing, with some claiming that it is a blatant form of cultural appropriation, while others believe it is a beautiful blend of cultures. In this blog post, we will take a dive into the history of Country Trap music, how it emerged, and its evolution to the present.
Country Trap was first coined in 2018 when rapper Lil Nas X released his viral hit "Old Town Road." The song, which features catchy banjo melodies over a booming trap beat, is the perfect embodiment of Country Trap. It topped charts in several countries and created a new wave of Country Trap enthusiasts. However, Country Trap's creation is not a recent phenomenon.
The origins of Country Trap are somewhat elusive. Some say that the roots of the genre can be traced back to the early 2000s, where rappers like Nelly and Bubba Sparxxx experimented with incorporating Country elements into their music. Others claim that Country Trap's genesis is rooted in Southern Hip-Hop, which incorporates Southern rap and Country music. Regardless of where it originated, the first song that paved the way for Country Trap was undoubtedly "Old Town Road."
Since then, Country Trap has evolved and expanded, encompassing various artists and sounds. One of the most prominent artists to emerge in Country Trap is Lil Tracy, who has created a niche space in the genre for himself. Other artists such as Blanco Brown, Yelawolf, and Post Malone also dabbled in Country rap/hip-hop music, bringing together Country music and hip-hop.
Despite tremendous popularity, Country Trap has had its fair share of criticisms. Some individuals, particularly those who have grown up with Country music, feel that the genre's fusion is disrespectful and a form of cultural appropriation. Conversely, others argue that the fusion is a beautiful way to bring two genres and cultures together. The fact that Country Trap is mostly created by African-American artists has also been a point of criticism.
Regardless of the controversies surrounding the genre, Country Trap has cemented its place in the music industry. It is proof that some of the most innovative and groundbreaking music can emerge when genres blend. Country Trap music represents a melting pot of cultures and sounds and has the potential to bring artists and listeners from different backgrounds and cultures together.
Notable artists
Lil Nas X: Lil Nas X is a rapper, singer, and songwriter who rose to worldwide fame with his hit song "Old Town Road." His unique blend of country, trap, and hip-hop has created a new sound in the music industry and has inspired many other artists to experiment with the genre. Lil Nas X has become a pioneer in country trap and has broken down barriers in the country music world.
Blanco Brown: Blanco Brown is a rising star in the country trap genre. His debut single "The Git Up" was a viral sensation and has been viewed over 300 million times on YouTube. Brown's combination of hip-hop, country, and R&B has caught the attention of music fans across the globe.
Trapboy Freddy: Trapboy Freddy is a rapper from Dallas, Texas, known for his unique blend of southern trap and country influences. His 2019 single "Lauren London" has been critically acclaimed and has helped put him on the map as one of the notable country trap artists.
Lil Tracy: Lil Tracy is a rapper from Virginia who has gained a following for his distinct blend of emo rap and country trap. He has collaborated with several popular artists in the genre, including Lil Peep and Lil Uzi Vert.
Breland: Breland is a singer and songwriter who is making waves in the country trap scene. His debut single "My Truck" has garnered over 100 million streams on Spotify and has helped establish him as a rising star in the genre.
Diplo: Known for his work as a producer, DJ, and electronic music artist, Diplo has also dabbled in the country trap genre. His collaboration with Lil Nas X on the hit song "Old Town Road" helped bring the genre to the mainstream and inspired other artists to explore the sound.
Cowboy Troy: Cowboy Troy is a country rapper and singer who has been in the industry for over a decade. He is often credited as one of the pioneers of the country rap genre and has collaborated with several notable artists in the genre.
Ryan Upchurch: Ryan Upchurch is a country rapper and singer from Tennessee. He has gained a following for his unique blend of country and rap influences, and has released several successful albums and singles in the genre.
Nelly: Nelly is a hip-hop artist who has dabbled in the country music genre throughout his career. His collaboration with country artist Tim McGraw on "Over and Over" paved the way for other artists to experiment with the blend of country and hip-hop.
Lil Tecca: Lil Tecca is an artist who rose to fame with his viral single "Ransom." While he is known for his contributions to the hip-hop genre, he has also dabbled in country trap and has experimented with blending traditional country sounds with modern rap and trap beats.
Broader context
Several books have been written on the subject of country trap, analyzing its origins, evolution, and impact on the music industry. One notable book is "Country Rap and Country Hip Hop: Southern Voices in a Global Age" by Tompkins, Pyatt, and Willliams. The book explores the history of southern hip hop and the emergence of country rap and country hip hop, which includes country trap.
Within the book, the authors note that "country rap emerged from a cultural nexus where black and white musical traditions intersect and where, despite historical barriers, innovative musicians of both races found common ground in their work." This highlights the cultural fusion that occurs within the genre, as it blends traditionally white and black musical styles.
Another notable quote comes from music journalist Charles Holmes, who wrote in an article for Rolling Stone, "Country Trap is not just a flash in the pan, it's a legitimate subgenre of country and hip-hop." This statement acknowledges the staying power of the genre and its potential to have a lasting impact on the music industry.
However, not all commentary surrounding country trap has been positive. Some critics have argued that the merging of country and trap music is inauthentic and lacks genuine cultural significance. In a review of Lil Nas X's "Old Town Road," The New York Times wrote, "The claimed novelty of that hybrid belies the histories of both genres, and the way they have been checked and transformed by class, race, geography and power."
This criticism highlights the ongoing debate surrounding cultural appropriation and the commodification of musical styles. While some argue that country trap represents a genuine merging of musical styles, others argue that the genre is simply a way for artists to profit off of the popularity of both country and trap music.
Despite the criticism, country trap has continued to gain popularity and mainstream recognition. Billboard began including country trap songs on its Hot Country Songs chart in 2019, and Lil Nas X's "Old Town Road" earned him a spot on the cover of Time Magazine.
The rise of social media platforms like YouTube and Instagram was also a key factor in the emergence of Country Trap. With these platforms, artists were able to share their music with a wide audience, bypassing traditional gatekeepers like record labels and radio stations. One of the most influential figures in the early days of the genre was Lil Nas X, whose breakthrough hit "Old Town Road" became a viral sensation in 2019. The song, which blended trap drums with twangy guitar riffs, spent 19 weeks at the top of the Billboard Hot 100 chart, becoming the longest-running number one song in history.
Lil Nas X was not the only artist creating music in this vein, however. Other notable Country Trap artists include Blanco Brown, who saw success with his crossover hit "The Git Up" in 2019, and Nelly, who collaborated with Florida Georgia Line on the song "Lil Bit" in 2020. All of these songs share a similar sonic palette, with trap beats, heavy basslines, and 808s mixed with acoustic instruments like banjos, fiddles, and steel guitars.
The cultural context of Country Trap is rooted in the history of country music itself. While the genre has long been associated with conservative values and white audiences, there have also been Black artists making country music for decades. Charley Pride, for example, was a trailblazing Black country singer who saw success in the 1960s and 1970s. However, these artists often faced discrimination and limited opportunities in the industry.
20 years ago, visitors to city centres up and down the UK would have seen throngs of young people hanging outside record stores, eager to get their hands on the latest release from their favourite band. Now, the streets might be almost empty, but that doesn’t mean that music has ceased to be an important part of young people’s lives. Instead, they’re more likely to be found at home, streaming music on their phones or laptops.
The rise of music streaming services like Spotify and Apple Music has changed the way people listen to and discover music. Instead of relying on physical sales, artists can now find audiences all over the world thanks to these online platforms. This has been especially important for Country Trap artists, who might not have had access to traditional music industry resources or connections. They’ve been able to build a fan base and a following through social media and streaming platforms, and in some cases, this has led to major label deals and mainstream success.