Essential trap music listening

The albums that define trap music.

Our picks for where to start with trap music — with a one-line read on why each one matters.

The trap music essentials

Twenty-four picks. Press play on any of them.

Hellboy

Lil Peep

Hellboy

A haunting blend of emo rap and lo-fi beats that encapsulates raw vulnerability and youthful angst.

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Vultures 1

Ty Dolla Sign

Vultures 1

A daring blend of introspective lyrics and experimental production that challenges contemporary hip-hop norms.

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Blackpink in Your Area

Blackpink

Blackpink in Your Area

Dynamic K-pop beats fuse with catchy hooks and bold visuals, capturing the essence of youthful empowerment.

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Skins

XXXTentacion

Skins

A raw and fragmented exploration of vulnerability, laced with emotional intensity and minimalist production.

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17

XXXTentacion

17

A raw exploration of emotional turmoil, blending introspective lyrics with minimalist production and haunting melodies.

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Let's Start Here

Lil Yachty

Let's Start Here

An experimental blend of psychedelic sounds and introspective lyrics that challenges genre boundaries while showcasing vulnerability.

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Music

Playboi Carti

Music

A vibrant collage of eclectic beats and catchy hooks that push the boundaries of contemporary rap.

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2009

Wiz Khalifa

2009

A vibrant blend of trap beats and catchy hooks that reflects Wiz Khalifa's laid-back yet ambitious lifestyle.

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Show and Prove

Wiz Khalifa

Show and Prove

A vibrant blend of East Coast hip-hop and pop rap, showcasing youthful ambition and local pride.

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BAYTL

Gucci Mane

BAYTL

A lavish showcase of trap beats and braggadocious lyricism that defines Gucci's Southern hip-hop legacy.

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Brick Factory 3

Gucci Mane

Brick Factory 3

Gucci Mane's gritty flows ride over infectious trap beats laced with Southern swagger and raw storytelling.

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My House

Flo Rida

My House

A vibrant blend of dance-pop and hip-hop, pulsating with infectious hooks and party-ready beats.

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R.O.O.T.S.

Flo Rida

R.O.O.T.S.

A vibrant blend of hip-hop and EDM, pulsating with infectious hooks and celebratory energy.

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King

T.I.

King

A commanding blend of infectious beats and sharp lyrical prowess, showcasing the heights of Southern hip-hop.

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Us or Else: Letter to the System

T.I.

Us or Else: Letter to the System

A poignant blend of Southern hip-hop rhythms and stark lyrical commentary on systemic injustice and personal struggle.

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Rockstar

Sfera Ebbasta

Rockstar

A vibrant blend of trap beats and catchy hooks that encapsulates the essence of contemporary Italian hip-hop.

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Come Over When You're Sober, Pt. 1

Lil Peep

Come Over When You're Sober, Pt. 1

Emo-inflected melodies intertwine with raw, confessional lyrics and lo-fi production, creating an intimate sonic landscape.

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Trust Fund Babies

Lil Wayne

Trust Fund Babies

A vibrant blend of playful lyrics and catchy hooks set against a backdrop of contemporary trap beats.

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Like Father, Like Son

Lil Wayne

Like Father, Like Son

A blend of booming bass and confident lyricism showcases the familial bond between Birdman and Lil Wayne in Southern hip-hop.

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So Far Gone

Drake

So Far Gone

A blend of introspective lyricism and smooth R&B grooves that redefined hip-hop's emotional landscape.

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Scary Hours

Drake

Scary Hours

A confident blend of melodic hooks and sharp verses that showcase Drake's lyrical prowess and emotional depth.

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Bloodas

Lil Durk

Bloodas

Raw and gritty, this album encapsulates the dark undercurrents of street life with fierce authenticity.

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Love Songs 4 the Streets 2

Lil Durk

Love Songs 4 the Streets 2

A raw and introspective exploration of street life wrapped in melodic hooks and sharp beats.

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Richer Than I Ever Been

Rick Ross

Richer Than I Ever Been

A luxurious blend of laid-back beats and sharp lyricism reflecting triumph and resilience in the face of adversity.

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