Afro Trap

Afro trap is a style of French hip hop created in 2015 by the Paris rapper *MHD*, fusing the drum programming of American trap with West African popular music. Its tracks pair rolling hi-hats, 808 bass and minor-key loops with percussion, melodies and call-and-response hooks drawn from coupé-décalé, soukous, highlife and Afrobeats, while lyrics in French salted with Bambara, Dioula, Wolof and Nouchi celebrate African heritage with an exuberant, dance-oriented tone. *MHD*'s numbered 'Afro Trap' video series made the style a commercial force in France, opening the way for *Naza*, *KeBlack*, *Aya Nakamura* and *Dadju*.