Trap Lord: UZ's 10 Best Tracks

While the trap bubble in EDM seems to have blown up (and deflated), it's crazy to think that it's really only a few years old. And while Flosstradamus

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Complex Original

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While the trap bubble in EDM seems to have blown up (and deflated), it's crazy to think that it's really only a few years old. And while Flosstradamus solidified the trap sound with their "Original Don" remix, one of the biggest names to emerge in 2012 was UZ, the mysterious enigma that used all of the ASCII characters in the book to flip the titles of his tracks, and helped expose the trap scene to the masses. Before Baauer's "Harlem Shake" truly took the mainstream by storm, UZ's Trap Shit 6/9 EP on Mad Decent's Jeffree's imprint was one of the best examples of how big the trap scene truly got.

Today, Mad Decent is celebrating that EP's two-year anniversary (a bit early, as it dropped in June of 2012) with the latest batch of "Trap Shit" tracks on UZ's Trap Shit 17/20 EP on Jeffree's. DAD wanted to take time out to big up the enigma, as well as share his best tunes thus far.

Peaches - "Burst! (UZ Remix)"

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Hella lasers shooting across this one, with UZ writing the blueprint on how you trap-out anything you plan on remixing. Maybe those lasers show Peaches bursting "in here" (where ever "here" is?), shining like a million tiny stars all over the dancefloor.

UZ ft. Trinidad Jame$ - "Trap Sh*t V11 (I Ain't Got No Patience)"

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"Trap Shit V11" got some DIplo & Friends love before UZ dropped his Balltrap Muzic Vol. 1 mixtape, which found the masked producer/DJ working with a number of MCs on original material. This is the beat that Trinidad Jame$ chose, and it sounded much better than the blends that some DJs would do, taking hip-hop tracks and throwing them over bass music productions. Jame$ applied the perfect amount of turnt pressure to this, giving it that extra "oomph" that'd have crowds going buck.

UZ - "Trap Sh*t V8"

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This feels like it could be the soundtrack to a trap version of some 8-bit alien invasion video game. A lot of UZ's earlier work blended the deep bass with eerie, quirky melodies, and "V8" is a great example. It knocks, but the hairs on the back of your neck are more turnt up than you are.

Birdy Nam Nam - "Defiant Order (UZ Remix)"

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As fresh as UZ is on his originals, his remix work has been out of this world. Take his flip of Birdy Nam Nam's "Defiant Order," where he takes a slinky melody, one that undulates all over those 808s. He keeps thing turnt, but smooth, and highlights part of what the majority of the crop of trap producers lack: outside-of-the-box thinking.

UZ ft. Djemba Djemba & Arnold - "Lurk"

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Balltrap Muzic Vol. 1 wasn't just about UZ collaborating with known rappers; he also took the time to link up with producers he rocked with, and "Lurk" found him locking horsn with Djemba Djemba and Arnold on a cut that feels like it could be the end credits on some horror flick. Leftfield moans, spooky pianos, and creepy vibes make this one much more than a tune to throw 'bows to.

UZ x Baauer - "Untitled"

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UZ and Baauer by themselves? Massive. UZ and Baauer together? Magic. Hypnotic trap stylings that deserve the jaw-dropping glances that they picked up when this one hit the circuit, with a touch of that good ol' rave vibe to keep the people guessing.

UZ x CRNKN - "Booty 2 The Ground"

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This could be the first time many people heard the name CRNKN, and look at how big he's grown. "Booty 2 The Ground" was textbook trap excellence, pairing a vocal that implores ladies to get low on the floor with a rave-ready batch of sounds. Still one of the best from that first true wave of trap bangers.

UZ - "Trap Sh*t V6"

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One of the tunes that really put UZ on the map. During a time when the majority of the trap clones were just putting 808s onto anything they saw fit, UZ was crafting mini-worlds with his instrumentals. There's a reason "Trap Shit V6" felt like a new wave; be it the way he laid out his instrumental, making sure to give this one enough personality that you could rock to it but you'd also remember it. It was a weird time for a genre that most people were still feeling their way around, but UZ didn't care; he kept it mysterious and kept fans crunk.

UZ x Clicks & Whistles - "Bull Dozer"

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We're not sure what you were worrying about, but when Balltrap Muzic Vol. 1 dropped, this was one of the tunes that immediately had us open, and for good reason. The bass on this one is out of this world, an all-encompassing wall of subs on subs on subs. Hypnotic (like we like it), with a jarring drone matching that tearing noise. One to grow on, and while it enters and exits quickly (kind of like a trap "Funky Worm"), it makes its presence felt.

Alex Metric - "Rave Weapon (UZ Remix)"

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Possibly UZ's best remix, the trap lord snagged the vibe from Alex Metric's original and turned up the heat, making it an intense beast for the trap set. The signature R&B wails and the way he screwed the melody make this one work perfect for the trap set that just can't get enough of this up in the festie. Proper definition of "turn up."

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