Plugg music
Plugg (also spelled plug) is a sub-genre of trap music that emerged in the mid-2010s via online distribution on platform SoundCloud. It was popularized by melodic Southern hip hop artists, and is characterized by deep 808 basslines, sparkly melodies, and melodic vocals. [2]
Unlike mainline trap, which is defined by bombastic production and rattling hi-hat drum patterns, plugg is said to be dreamy,[3] laidback, atmospheric, spacey, airy, and minimal. The genre is also described as having an overall lush and jazzy atmosphere; ethereal, luscious
multi-instrumental harmonies and melodies; sparse, disjointed, and relaxed drum programming with few hi-hats; and thick basslines.[4] Instead of hi-hats in mainline trap, plugg drumming mainly employs beat skips, crash cymbals and punctuated accent snares on half-beats. As described by a critic, plugg is best intended to be heard alone, "experience[d] .. [in] the way it's intended: as a day-long trance in your isolated abode".[5]
Vocally, plugg ranges from instrumental beats without vocals, to songs with either rapping or mellow singing. Rapping flows, used in plugg, range from aggressive to relaxed and mellow.
Etymology[edit]
The genre derives its name from the "Plug!" producer tag on SoundCloud used by the members of the BeatPluggz collective since 2013.[6][7][8] MexikoDro of the Beatpluggz collective claimed that fellow collective member StoopidXool or someone else from Beatpluggz recorded the vocals for the tag.[9] At first, their tag used the word "Plugs!", but later they shortened it to "Plug!"[10]
Both variants "plugg" and "plug" are used to describe the genre. Other names for the genre include descriptive terms such as "new wave"[11] and "smooth jazz"[5] (not to be confused with new wave and smooth jazz genres).