Photo Credit: Eli Wesse/Facebook

Trap is one of the most popular subgenres in Hip-Hop music.

Now, 20 plus years strong in the game, Trap’s come a long way. First spearheaded in the early 90s by Southern Hip-Hop acts like UGK and Ghetto Mafia, Trap was initially introduced as a place where one sells drugs to get by.

Though portrayed as a far-from-glamorous occupation on old-school Trap classics “Pocket Full of Stones” by UGK and “Ice Cream Man” by Master P—lyrics about having a b***h for every letter in the alphabet, large sums of money, and power took over the grit conveyed.

Moreover, fleshy trap storylines reminiscent of the lives of characters like Tony Montana and Manolo Rivera from 1983 action drama Scarface started to appeal to a broader audience.

By the early 2000s, a new wave of Southern-based emcees like T.I., Jeezy, and Rick Ross helped to propel Trap into more mainstream success with various Billboard hits.

By then, Trap music had become more defined with distinct production which incorporated 808 kick drums, hi-hats, and layered synths.

Flash forward over a decade later, Trap music has garnered popularity far beyond south coast Hip-Hop with frequent radio airplay on all three coasts as well as influences worldwide.

Like the matrix, Trap’s everywhere. You can find it in world music, Pop music, EDM, R&B, discussions boards, Beyoncé records, and everyday social influences.

Truth moment: Trap’s place in current pop culture is undeniable, and so is the wave of new artists who continue to push the sonic envelope.

Meet Eli Wesse, a self-proclaimed dedicated vocalist, producer, and a new addition to the virtual Trap-o-sphere.

Hailing straight out of Ann Harbour, Michigan from Congolese parentage, Wesse knows what it’s like to struggle to get by. But his struggle kind of differs from the struggles of the Trap pioneers who precede him.

With a passion for pursuing his music career, Wesse moved to New York in his young teens.

The decision to move to New York was a route less traveled by most of his family and peers whom he left back home in Ann Harbour.

After experiencing obstacles a lot of young undiscovered artists face in the concrete jungle Wesse eventually returned to his hometown to regroup.

After getting back, he worked diligently to get his music career going. While honing in on his craft Wesse wrote and co-produced “Small Talk” alongside British-based musician Arjun Singh.

On the single, Wesse spills opens up about his emotional demons over a slowed down, emotive trap beat. In a statement, Wesse explained his inspiration for the single in detail.

There was a girl from Manhattan I dated. I left her and Manhattan to come back to Michigan to get my music off the ground. I never got as deep with her as I wanted. And I guess a lot of things tend to get lost in translation when you live far away. A lot of people (not just her) didn’t really believe how serious I was about music. And a lot of this record is just me clearing the air on a lot of doubt I sensed around me. I wanted people to realize all the sacrifices I made and I wanted her to look up and see… ‘look we’re really doing this. I wanted people to realize all the sacrifices I made and I wanted her to look up and see… ‘look we’re really doing this.

“Small Talk” exudes a dreamy effect fit for any hang-out or turn-up session. Take a listen to the single below and stay tuned for more music from Mr. Wesse in the near future.

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The post Introducing Eli Wesse On New Trap Single “Small Talk” [Listen] appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.