We’ve come to the era of versatility – an era when minimalism is “in”, when one gadget fulfills virtually all human social needs, when the height of fashion consists of versatile colors such as nudes, blacks, and dirt greens (e.g. refer to Kanye’s fashion line). You would think that this era just affects the outward aesthetic of juvenile culture, and you’re right about that. What you don’t realize, though, is that today’s craze for versatility has affected us so subtly that it literally goes in one ear and out the other: our music. Remember when we had a relatively clear line distinguishing relaxing music and party music? When the EDMs of the 00s (Dubstep) stayed as far away from r&b music? When Skrillex and TLC were two completely different genres attracting two separate music lovers? Oh man, what a throwback.

After years of courting and experimenting with each other, the two genres are as compatible as Yin and Yang. R&B and EDM have made a love child and it’s so damn ethereal. It’s so beautiful. The 808 bass kicks (those distinguishing trap sounds that originated from dubstep music) meld with minimally-tweaked r&b vocals in such a delicate balance that it creates a punchy yet dreamy aura – you almost feel like you’re partying in mid-air with baby-blue clouds surrounding you. Oftentimes, the synth would play some very fancy jazz chords and your body would just melt from an episode of eargasm (for you fancy music people, it's those quartal and quintal chord voicings, by the way). If EDM's bass drop and beats are too "overdramatic," so to speak, and you want a calmer bass drop with the same out-of-this-world effect, then Chill trap is the way to go. If you want to turn up, and yet have a warm, fuzzy feeling after listening to music, then Chill trap is the way to go, too.

What’s better, you ask? The best part of this genre is that it’s totally cool and acceptable to play these songs on the party scene and on a relaxing playlist. Literally, I can sleep to chill trap, and I can party to chill trap. It’s highly versatile. The name of this hybrid genre, Chill trap, flows right out of the tongue too, very much adaptable. People are in love with this hybrid genre already. *raises hand proudly cause I’m in love too*

Now, the real OGs of Chill trap are the remixing DJs of the previous era, who were some of the most avant-garde DJs of their time. Some of the DJs whose remixes are worth listening to are Branchez, Hippie Sabotage, No Sleep, Flume, Cashmere Cat, Snakehips, and Ta-Ku. These DJs hooked up the two genres and they were thinking, let’s see if this is going to work, and thank God it did. Obviously, their music sometimes sounds a little more experimental, nevertheless, the ambiance is there and these songs are still enjoyable to listen to.

Other genres want to get in on the beautifulness of this baby genre, too. Chill trap has quickly become the structural backbone of numerous pop singles in recent days. Rihanna has been dropping some beautiful chill trap singles, Ellie Goulding is all about anything remotely EDM, and Fetty Wap makes so many top-charting chill trap/pop singles per album. The rap genre wants a piece of chill trap too – Kanye, G-Eazy, Kendrick Lamar, Childish Gambino, and Drake (all are legends) have been known to infuse chill trap into some of their samples. If you want to listen to true pioneering artists of this genre, though, you could always listen to music by Odesza, Alex Cheatle, The Chainsmokers, and Kiiara. Let me tell you, all chill trap singles sound so beautiful.

So, what are you waiting for? Go listen to some chill-trap and get lost in the dreamy sounds! Majesticartists.io/shuffle compiles every single up-and-coming/new chill trap artists out there, and Youtube channels like Chill Nation and Majestic Casual are, for a lack of better word, lit.