Trap music is known for its lyrics that speak to the gritty reality of street life. But its hallmark is really the dystopian soundscape set by stuttering kick drums, hi-hats, 808s, and eerie synths. Without producers like Shawty Red, Mannie Fresh, and Zaytoven, there might be no trap ‘sound’ at all. The genre’s reliance on production explains why trap has flooded into electronic music since 2012, topping charts and headlining festivals.
Then came drill music, a trap spin-off with even darker, more brooding, ominous production. Hailing from Chicago’s South Side, this unapologetic style moved from underground mixtapes to the mainstream in the mid-2010s thanks to singles like Chief Keef’s “I Don’t Like” in 2012. According to a Masterclass article, “Drill music drew upon the chaotic nature and high occurrences of violence in some of Chicago’s South Side neighborhoods—especially an area in the Woodlawn community called “Dro City”—and their impact on young people for its narrative and core sound.”
In terms of production, drill shares trap's heavy use of 808s, stripped-down production, and an emphasis on ear-catching melodies dripping in menace while employing faster beats and an even greater focus on melody. A quality beat is the foundation of a good trap and drill track. These sounds will help you lay that foundation.
