First off, I’d like to preface this article by saying that it is in no way a complete representation of EDM. It is a playlist of some of my favorite songs from the last few months, and is an introduction to trap (and a couple other genres, but we’ll get into that later) for those who aren’t too familiar with it.
Okay, so let’s get into the music. EDM, or Electronic Dance Music, is an overarching title for many genres of music, from Trap to Deep house to Tropical House to Future Bass to Cloud Rap to so many other sub-genres and sub-cultures that trying to name them all would be nearly impossible. Lately, a lot of Hip Hop artists have drawn influence from and collaborated with EDM producers. This is in no way a new trend, these crossovers have been happening for years. Waka Flocka Flame is a consistent collaborator with producers like Borgore, and this always results in hype as fuck tracks. RiFF RaFF also frequently dips into the EDM sector, collaborating with producers like DJ Carnage (who is a driving force behind many rap/EDM crossover bangers), and Diplo, who is one of the biggest names in EDM. There are so many producers who deserve to be mentioned, but in the interest of keeping things short, we’re going to move straight to music.
Hip-Hop Influence in Trap
DJ Carnage and Migos – Bricks
First off, if you haven’t heard this track, I’m actually impressed. With over twelve million plays on SoundCloud, this is one of the most popular EDM (in this case, Trap)/Rap crossovers to hit the scene in the last year. Trap is a subgenre of EDM that involves heavy bass drops and drum hits that you can feel in your chest. If you like this, look around more on Carnage’s SoundCloud.
Grandtheft & Keys N Krates – Keep it 100
This track, which falls under the broad category of Dance, is (unsurprisingly) a banger. Grandtheft is a relative newcomer to the EDM game, and he goes hard as hell. This track is a collab with Toronto-based Keys N Krates, who have also produced their fair share of hits.
Remixes
Remixes are an essential component of EDM. Often, producers will remix the work of other EDM artists, or remix hip hop tracks with their own flair.
Whiite – Move that Dope Remix
Often, producers will remix hip hop tracks, and what results is usually pretty dope. I thought that Move That Dope wouldn’t really lend itself well to a trap remix, but apparently I was wrong. This goes hard as hell.
yung wiggins – Dip Remix
Now this is a track that I definitely thought would lend itself to a trap remix. This mix retains a lot of the original Danny Brown banger, but yung wiggins has flipped it in a way that hits harder than the original.
Moody Good – Burial Remix
The original Burial track has a lot of trap/EDM qualities to it, but they are amplified and brought to the forefront in this fantastic remix. Moody Good, who is on the same label as Yogi, murders this flip and turns it into pure turnt magic.
A Word About Other EDM Genres
I can’t even begin to explain how many different EDM genres, sub-genres, and aesthetics there are. Right now, my EDM playlist has all kinds of genres in it, from Melbourne Bounce to Cloud Rap to Moombahton.
Dixie – Bass, Bounce, & Boobs 4 (Melbourne Bounce)
I very recently discovered Melbourne Bounce, and instantly fell in love with it. At its core, it’s straight ignorant party music. Whenever I listen to one of Dixie’s mixes, I feel like I want to go out, get smashed on Fosters, roll face, and jump around all night. This music is happy, bouncy, and LOUD.
Yung Lean – Motorola (Cloud Rap)
Cloud Rap is interesting. It’s upbeat, but still seems laid back and dreamy. This track is produced by White Armor, one of my favorite Cloud Rap producers. Although Yung Lean is on the forefront of Cloud Rap currently, there are many other fantastic artists out there, like Orphanboy, Spooky Black, and Blac Negus, just to name a few.
Dillon Francis – IDGAFOS
Even though this song is three years old, it’s still one of my favorite Moombahton songs of all time. It’s been in pretty much every iteration of my workout playlist since it came out, simply because of how upbeat it is.
In closing, let me just say that I didn’t even scratch the surface of EDM. There are just too many genres and artists to possibly name. I hope I was able to create a jumping-off point, a playlist from which you’ll be able to find a kind of music you like, and continue to explore it. So get out there, poke around SoundCloud, and find a new favorite song.
