Trip hop emerged in the early 1990s as a fusion of hip hop, soul, and electronic music, particularly in the city of Bristol in the UK. Bristol was home to a thriving music scene, with influential labels like The Wild Bunch and Massive Attack's Melankolic Records nurturing emerging talent. One of the key pioneers of trip hop was Massive Attack, whose 1991 debut album "Blue Lines" set the standard for the genre. The album's blend of soulful vocals, atmospheric soundscapes, and intricate beats drew on a wide range of influences, from funk and reggae to jazz and electronic music.
Other key trip hop artists from Bristol include Portishead, Tricky, and Roni Size. Portishead's 1994 debut album "Dummy" was another groundbreaking work, featuring haunting melodies, moody atmospheres, and Beth Gibbons' ethereal vocals. Tricky, a former member of Massive Attack, brought a darker, more experimental edge to the genre with his debut album "Maxinquaye" in 1995. One of the defining features of trip hop is its use of downtempo beats, typically around 90-110 beats per minute. These beats are often created using the Roland TR-808 drum machine, which has a distinctive "booming" sound that is a hallmark of the genre.
In addition to drum machines, trip hop often incorporates live instrumentation, particularly guitars, bass, and keyboards. Samples are also a key part of the trip hop sound, with artists drawing from a wide range of sources, from old jazz records to sounds from nature. Another important element of trip hop is its moody, introspective atmosphere. Many trip hop songs feature melancholic or haunting melodies, with lyrics that explore themes of love, loss, and alienation. In the late 1990s and early 2000s, trip hop began to evolve and diversify. Artists like Zero 7, Morcheeba, and Lamb incorporated elements of folk, rock, and pop into their music, creating a more accessible sound that appealed to a wider audience. At the same time, trip hop began to intersect with other electronic music genres, such as drum and bass and dubstep. This led to a more experimental and diverse range of sounds within the genre, as artists pushed the boundaries of what was possible with electronic music.
Some key trip hop albums from this period include DJ Shadow's "Endtroducing....." (1996), which is often cited as one of the greatest albums of all time, and Zero 7's "Simple Things" (2001), which features collaborations with vocalists like Sia and Sophie Barker. While trip hop is no longer as dominant a force in the music world as it was in the 1990s and early 2000s, its influence can still be heard in contemporary music today. Artists like The xx, James Blake, and FKA Twigs have all been influenced by trip hop's moody atmospheres and use of electronic instrumentation. Some contemporary trip hop albums to check out include Bonobo's "Black Sands" (2010), which blends trip hop with world music influences, and Sault's "Untitled (Rise)" (2020), which features a more political and socially conscious edge to the genre.
Overall, trip hop is a genre that has had a lasting impact on the music world, with its moody atmospheres, downtempo beats, and use of sampling influencing countless artists across multiple genres. From its roots in Bristol in the early 1990s to its evolution into new and diverse sounds in the present day, trip hop remains a significant force in contemporary music.
If you're interested in exploring the genre further, some essential trip hop albums to check out include:
- Massive Attack - "Blue Lines" (1991)
- Portishead - "Dummy" (1994)
- Tricky - "Maxinquaye" (1995)
- DJ Shadow - "Endtroducing....." (1996)
- Sneaker Pimps - "Splinter" (1999)
- Morcheeba - "Big Calm" (1998)
- Zero 7 - "Simple Things" (2001)
- Bonobo - "Black Sands" (2010)
- Sault - "Untitled (Rise)" (2020)
These albums represent a diverse range of trip hop styles and sounds, and each one is a testament to the genre's enduring appeal and innovation. Whether you're a longtime fan of trip hop or just discovering it for the first time, there's no denying the genre's unique and captivating allure.