[5] The genre was popularized by artists including Thomas Jack, Klangkarussell, Kygo, Klingande, Robin Schulz, Bakermat, Matoma, Lost Frequencies, Felix Jaehn, Seeb and Gryffin.
[1][9] The subgenre distinguishes itself through its use of airy synths, melodic rhythms, and tropical instruments, such as steel percussions, trumpets, saxophones, flutes, marimbas, or bongos.
[10] Tropical house does not rely heavily on the build-ups and drops seen in EDM, instead featuring calming melodies and soft vocals that are easy to listen to in any setting.
However, it was not until 2013 with Klangkarussell's "Sun Don't Shine" and the emergence of producers such as Kygo and Robin Schulz that tropical house became a dance music trend.
During 2014 and 2015, producers such as Lost Frequencies, Felix Jaehn, Alex Adair, Sam Feldt, Bakermat, Klingande, Jonas Blue and Faul & Wad Ad would join them with big tropical house hits.