Trap Nation is an American YouTube channel and EDM label founded in September 2012, with 30.1 million YouTube subscribers (as of August 2026) and 15.15 billion total views across 3,100 videos. It is ranked number 352 on YouTube worldwide. Trap Nation is one of the largest EDM YouTube channels in the world, focused on trap, bass, and electronic music. The channel operates as a distribution outlet and label for EDM artists. Its Lowly Palace sublabel focuses on a broader range of electronic and indie music.
Trap Nation built its reputation as a YouTube-first EDM distribution outlet and label. Its 30.1 million subscribers and 15.15 billion total views make it one of the largest EDM-focused YouTube channels in the world, surpassing Proximity (8.9 million subscribers) and Monstercat (7 million subscribers) in YouTube subscriber count. The channel's model is built around discovering and distributing trap, bass, and electronic music from a wide range of artists. Its 3,100 videos over 13 years show a consistent release cadence that has built its massive audience. The channel's open demo submission policy makes it accessible for new EDM artists.
How Trap Nation Operates
Trap Nation runs dedicated A&R from its US base. It operates an independent distribution network, primarily through YouTube. The channel's strength is its massive YouTube audience (30.1 million subscribers, 15.15 billion total views, ranked number 352 worldwide) and its open demo submission policy. Its model is built around discovering and distributing trap, bass, and electronic music. The Lowly Palace sublabel provides a pathway for a broader range of electronic and indie music.
Why It Matters for Independent Artists
If you make trap, bass, or electronic dance music, Trap Nation is one of the largest EDM YouTube channels in the world, with 30.1 million subscribers and 15.15 billion total views. Its open demo submission policy makes it one of the most accessible EDM outlets for new artists. Its YouTube-first model provides massive exposure for distributed tracks. Its Lowly Palace sublabel provides a pathway for artists outside the trap and bass focus.
Drawbacks and Things to Consider
- Distribution outlet model: Trap Nation operates as a distribution outlet and label, which means it may not provide the same level of artist development as a traditional label deal.
- Trap and bass focus: Trap Nation primarily distributes trap, bass, and electronic music. Artists in other genres should look elsewhere.
- YouTube-first revenue: Trap Nation's model is built around YouTube, which means revenue is heavily tied to YouTube streaming and ad rates.
- High volume: With 3,100 videos over 13 years, individual tracks may get limited sustained attention.
Notable Artists and Releases
| Artist | Release | Year | Chart Performance |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Chainsmokers (Illenium Remix) | Don't Let Me Down | 2016 | 566.9 million YouTube views on Trap Nation upload; 4.5 million likes |
| San Holo | We Rise | 2015 | 124.5 million YouTube views on Trap Nation upload |
| Unlike Pluto feat. Mike Taylor | Everything Black | 2017 | 116.4 million YouTube views on Trap Nation upload |
| Mickey Valen feat. Noe | Meet Me | 2016 | 65.8 million YouTube views on Trap Nation upload |
| Illenium feat. Liam O'Donnell (T-Mass and LZRD Remix) | It's All On U | 2016 | 62.2 million YouTube views on Trap Nation upload |
| Whethan feat. Flux Pavilion and MAX | Savage | 2016 | 34.1 million YouTube views on Trap Nation upload |
| Sevdaliza | Alibi | 2024 | RIAA Gold certification; released through Broke Records, founded by Trap Nation creator Andre Benz |
| Ndotz | Embrace It | 2024 | Among the most-streamed UK rap singles of 2024; released through Broke Records |
Videos
Deal Structures
Trap Nation operates through two distinct business models. The primary Trap Nation channel functions as a curation and distribution outlet, featuring music from a wide range of artists without traditional label deals. The channel's Lowly sublabel (formerly Lowly Palace), founded in 2016 by Andre Benz, operates as a record label with formal artist contracts.
Lowly offers 50/50 profit splits and short-term licensing agreements to emerging artists. According to Forbes, Lowly signs exclusive single-level deals spanning 10 to 15 years, with a 50/50 split on masters rights. The label was initially distributed by AWAL and focused on electronic music before expanding to pop, R&B, and alternative genres. Artists who have released through Lowly include Said The Sky, Arrested Youth, Inzo, and Greyson Chance.
In April 2022, Create Music Group acquired a majority stake in The Nations channels and the Lowly label for an undisclosed amount. Andre Benz subsequently co-founded Broke Records with Brandon De Oliveira in 2023, also distributed by Create Music Group. Broke Records offers 50/50 artist-friendly deals, short license periods, product ownership, and full digital marketing handled in-house. Broke has a joint venture with Ndotz's label Isekai and has released music from Blackbear, Sainte, Adore, Kenny Allstar with Headie One, and Camelphat and Rhodes.
Benz has stated that Broke Records provides "services that make signing to an independent company appealing: speed, efficiency, product ownership, and intuition." The label has eight full-time employees and handles digital marketing internally rather than outsourcing to agencies.
How Artists Get Signed
Trap Nation accepts demo submissions through its website, making it one of the more accessible EDM outlets for new producers. The open submission policy allows artists at any career stage to submit music for consideration.
For the Lowly label arm, Benz has stated that the goal was to create a label offering 50/50 artist-friendly deals with short license periods, specifically designed for electronic artists who may not understand the label business. The label uses The Nations network of YouTube channels (Trap Nation, Chill Nation, Bass Nation, Rap Nation, and others with a combined audience of tens of millions) to promote signed artists.
The Nations channels have played a role in breaking artists like Marshmello, The Chainsmokers, Diplo, Blackbear, Lauv, and Illenium. Benz has noted that watching these artists grow through Trap Nation without having a stake in their careers motivated him to create Lowly, so the label could participate in artist development rather than just curation.
For Broke Records, Benz leads A&R and marketing initiatives personally. The label focuses on finding and breaking artists through digital-first marketing, leveraging Benz's 12 years of experience building YouTube music brands. Broke Records has demonstrated the ability to achieve commercial results independently, with Sevdaliza choosing to remain with the label despite receiving a major label offer from Republic Records.
Similar Labels
- Monstercat - Canadian electronic label with a YouTube-first curation and release model
- NoCopyrightSounds - UK-based copyright-free electronic label with open demo submissions
- Spinnin' Records - Dutch dance music label with a large YouTube presence
- Revealed Recordings - Hardwell's electronic label focused on big-room and progressive house
Related Resources
- Record Label Contracts Explained - What a Trap Nation deal contains
- Independent Labels vs Major Labels - The YouTube distribution outlet model
- How to Get a Record Deal in 2026 - Building an electronic profile
- Proximity - A related EDM outlet
- Trap Nation YouTube - Channel and submissions
