Ode To Future: How Hard Work Got The Trap Jumpin’

True to the ostentatious nature of his music, everyone’s favorite astronaut, Future, made a dramatic return to the limelight when he surprised the world with the release of his self-titled album. While the legal circumstances and popularity of this tape were enough to sustain a years’ worth of publicity, Future did not rest on this hype. A week after releasing his chart-topping project, Future dropped another, arguably more impressive, album in HNDRXX. This pleasurable saturation has become somewhat of Future’s trademark. Within the past year, he has dropped 7 full-length tapes, resulting in three number one albums. This musical onslaught undoubtedly speaks to the work ethic that Future possesses. Yet even though he is one of the more famous figures within the subsection of Trap, this method of producing projects is not exclusive to Future. In fact, the emphasis on creating and releasing massive volumes of music has been a consistent staple within the culture of Trap that has certainly aided in the ascension of the genre.

The origin of Trap’s musical out pour can be traced back to one of the genre’s founding fathers, Gucci Mane. Throughout the duration of his tenure, Gucci has released 10 studio albums, as well as, countless mixtapes. This consistent pressure allowed Gucci to propel himself into a place of Hip-Hop stardom, while also producing heroic-esque myths centered around his dedication (which were confirmed with an infamous video of him leaving prison and heading straight to his in-house studio). This legendary status made Gucci Mane a bridge that almost every popular Trap artist has crossed on their way to musical success. Because of his position and willingness to influence, Guwop’s compulsive nature towards recording has impacted almost every facet of the genre.

This commitment to creation is not limited to just the rappers of Trap. As fans of this genre know, the beat production and selection are key to the development of Trap’s identity. This actuality in combination with the nature of the genre, make the producers of Trap beats just as hard working as the artists. A perfect example of this would be one of Trap’s brightest stars, producer, Metro Boomin’. At 23 years old, Metro has produced four platinum singles, as well as, one platinum album this year alone. This success can be credited to the immense amount of tracks he creates as a result of the diligence he displays in the studio.

In an interview, close friend and Trap’s newest sensation, 21 Savage, spoke to Metro’s uncanny work ethic.

“Like, Metro, that ni#ga gone wanna stay in the studio until like 9 o’clock in the morning. I’ma leave at like 5 and he still gone be in this b#tch,” explained Savage who has received two platinum records from tracks that Metro produced. “But, that ni#ga be workin’ his ass off. That’s why he is where he is. He’s on top right now.”

The success of super-producer, Metro Boomin and rapper, Future speak to the overarching culture of Trap Music. Due to the foundation of creative consistency laid by Gucci Mane, Trap artists are constantly producing and releasing projects. And because of their comfort in the studio, these tapes are generally made with a quality that is received well by the public. This culture of dedication and relevancy has allowed Trap Music to climb its way out of the backrooms of Atlanta’s Shotgun Houses and into the living areas of mainstream America.