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Trapstep

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Trapstep
Stylistic origins Brostep, Trap EDM
Cultural origins Early 2010s
Derivative forms Hybrid Trap
Subgenres
Melodic Trapstep

Trapstep is a fusion genre of Brostep and Trap EDM that emerged in 2012.

Characteristics[]

The genre combines the rhythms and percussion found in Trap, like 808 kick, where it was modified to be more powerful, hi-hats and snares, with the powerful bass and distorted sounds of Brostep like growls, wobble bass, and other distorted sounds, and keeping the Dubstep aesthetic like the structure.

Confusion[]

Often confused with Hybrid Trap, Trapstep and Hybrid Trap own their differences :

Trapstep :

  • Dubstep-style musical structure and drops.
  • Very little sound design on 808.
  • Robotic, energic and powerful.

Hybrid Trap :

  • Trap-style musical structure.
  • Sound Design borrowed from various genres such as Brostep or Hardstyle, and is omnipresent.
  • Can include Brostep wobble bass, but very few.
  • Closer to traditional Hip-hop, and is more experimental.

History[]

It's a genre that emerged in late 2011 and early 2012 as part of the development of Trap EDM.

The beginning : 2012

In mid-2012, the first Trapstep music began to appear. It's closer to Trap EDM, with Brostep bass and growls. The first Trapstep music to use the Dubstep musical structure is called “Grind or Die” by DUBsurce, which is actually the real first Trapstep music, released on November 11, 2012. This emergence is taking place somewhat incognito.

The golden age : 2013-2016

Trapstep became a "trending" genre between 2013 and 2015, where Dubstep DJs included elements of Trap in their Dubstep music compositions, as well as the other way around. Dubstep artists such as EH!DE, Adair, Hexsonic, and Rain Man included Trap in their Dubstep music, while Trap EDM DJ Jorgen Odegard also began incorporating Dubstep into his Trap productions, where These DJs helped popularize the genre.

Decline : 2017-2024

Trapstep is gradually declining from 2017. This decline is explained by the popularisation of another genre, issut from Trapstep, but which combines Trap EDM with the sound design of various Bass Music genres: Hybrid Trap. This genre became very popular thanks to music coming from big DJs like Purple Lamborgini by Skrillex and Rick Ross, or Propaganda by DJ Snake, putting Trapstep at the very bottom of the underground. However, the genre became popular thanks to two tracks in 2026 and 2017: "Sock It to Them" from Paul Flint, and "Melrose At Midnight" from Light Years Away, which between them garnered over 7.5 million views on Youtube, on the NoCopyrightSounds label, and in July 2023, the K-Pop group Ateez released a song called “Bouncy (K-hot Chilli Peppers)”, the very first K-EDM song in the Trapstep genre, which exceeded 100 million views in less than 6 months, making it the most listened-to Trapstep song in the world.

Now : 2025

These days, Trapstep remains an underground genre. However, it has continued to be produced more and more in recent years. Berzox, a youtuber who posts Trapstep, Drumstep, Dubstep and Glitch hop music, has released 3 Trapstep tracks since the beginning of 2025. This youtuber is known for reposting music he considers "underrated" to promote it on his channel. Could this be the year for Trapstep? Only time will tell.

Variant[]

But in 2014, Trapstep became more melodic and emotional, and the genre melodic trapstep was born.

Pionnering[]

Trapstep was coined by GANG$IGN$, with his remix of Skrillex Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites, on 2012, june 19th.

Other topic[]

Trapstep is a captivating genre that blends percussive rhythms with deep, powerful bass, offering a musical experience that's both intense and groovy.

Examples[]

We can find a lot of Trapstep examples on Berzox's Trapstep playlist on Youtube.

Reference[]

Trapstep definition on Urban Dictionnary

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