Emo Trap / Emo Rap
tagStarted 2015Peak 2017-2020Last big hit still active
Located in 1 route
Trap drums and 808s fused with emo, pop-punk and indie-rock sensibility. Distorted or clean guitar samples, lo-fi hiss and washed-out synths back confessional, melodic vocals about depression, heartbreak, addiction and suicidal ideation. The tone is raw and vulnerable, sitting between rap, singing and screaming.
History
Grew from the SoundCloud scene's GothBoiClique (Lil Peep, Lil Tracy, Wicca Phase Springs Eternal) and Bones in the mid-2010s, fusing trap with Midwest emo and pop-punk. It broke mainstream in 2017 via Lil Uzi's XO Tour Llif3, XXXTentacion's 17 and Juice WRLD's emotive melodies, scarred by the early deaths of its leaders.
Defining artists
Essential listening
Sources
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emo_rap
- https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/emo-rap-uzi-vert-lil-peep-1364026/
- https://aesthetics.fandom.com/wiki/Emo_Rap