Every note of American and international popular music made today can be traced back, at least in part but typically in great part, to enslaved Africans and their descendants in North, Central, and South America, including the West Indies.

Today, we're having a little exploration of a sub-genre of hip hop, that being: trap.

We'll have a listen to current ubiquitous trap; to one of the pioneers of the genre, Zaytoven, playing live at the Tiny Desk; and then a little fun with T-Pain...which is a departure from the trap but still a beautiful example of Black musicianship, innovation, and church training.

Hang out, grab a drink or whatever, and prepare yourself for 808s and tea.

-g