Do you guys think my track fits the listing?

[TLovato]

Lots of HIP-HOP INSTRUMENTALS (in a wide range of styles) are needed by a Music Licensing Company with a super strong list of placements in Films, TV Commercials, and A-List TV Shows. This Company has signed lots of TAXI members over many years and nailed down tons of placements for them!

NOTE: We previously ran this request as TAXI Listing #D241130WR, but the Library wants to hear even MORE material. If you submitted to listing #D241130WR, please send different material this time around.

This Company is searching for a wide range of Instrumentals in the general stylistic wheelhouse of the references below:

"Dr. Math" by Tune Seeker https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kxtp0Rlm3sU

"ANTHEM II" by Lukrative https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hG2SCu1HXpE

"Memories" by Rama Low https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SANPkk1vCzw

Please submit Hip-Hop Instrumentals in a wide range of commercially-viable sub genres with killer production and infectious motifs! Some potential styles and sub-genres that could work here are: Trap, Drill, West Coast, East Coast, Lofi, Epic, UK Drill/Grime, etc. Engaging beats, confident energy, and dynamic arrangements with lots of forward development and building interest are all needed here. Since this listing is open to a wide range of Hip-Hop Instrumentals, instrumentation can vary depending on which direction you choose to go, as long as it's competitive with other Instrumentals in your chosen style or sub-genre. Please make sure any virtual instruments or samples you use are high-quality and not dated-sounding.

Submissions should be about 2 minutes long, give or take, and should have non-faded, buttoned/stinger endings. Do NOT copy the references in any way, shape, or form. Use them only as a general guide for tempo, tone, and overall vibe. Do NOT submit any material with unauthorized samples of any other artists’ music, sounds, or any other form of media. Broadcast Quality is needed.

NOTE: Do NOT submit any Instrumentals with spoken producer tags/watermarks as they're not usable for Film and TV placements.

AI ALERT: This company does not accept or sign music that has been melodically composed using generative AI, nor does it accept backing tracks or full instrumental tracks created with AI.

This company offers an EXCLUSIVE deal. You’ll split all upfront sync fees 50/50. They’ll get 100% of the Publisher’s share, and you’ll keep 100% of the Writer’s share. You must own or control your Master and Copyright. Since this is an EXCLUSIVE deal, please be sure the material you submit for this pitch is NOT already signed with other Libraries or Catalogs. Please submit as many Instrumentals as you’d like, online or per CD. All submissions will be screened and critiqued by TAXI. All Submissions must be received no later than 11:59 PM (PST) on Wednesday, February 5th, 2025. TAXI # S250205HH



So I have this track I composed a while back I am considering submitting. I know it specifically says they want a wide range of hip hop instrumentals, and I think this track below fits into a decent lo-fi vibe. Do you guys think it's worth it to submit? Also, would my 1:50 length satisfy the "about 2 minutes give or take" requirement?

https://www.taxi.com/members/PNQZVfSXS0 ... akin-waves

[telefunkin]

Interesting! My first reaction was a resounding 'no', until I heard the final ref track and then suddenly yours is in scope. I think you'd have to work on the drum sounds quite a bit to put them upfront and get the overall mix somewhat closer to that particular ref, then maybe do some lo-fi work on the guitar phrases. Hopefully that would make the track sound more like lo-fi chill hop and not just a chill guitar track. If you can do that then I'd say its worth submitting.

[WSAO]

There aren't any guitars in the references, but the briefing seems a bit more flexible:
...'in a wide range of commercially-viable subgenres.'
Personally, I prefer your track to the references.
What a killer guitar sound!
Here's hoping it makes the cut!

[TLovato]

Thank you all!

[eandersonmusic]

Hey Tony!
I think you can go the lofi route for this track and it would work. The mix just needs some tweaks for the most part. A slightly better level balance overall.
I was going to say the track needs a bassline and accompanying keys part until I heard them better @ 1:04. So make those tracks a lot louder in the mix, maybe double the keys part with another lofi keys type sound and then drop them in and out to help create momentum and dynamics.
I feel the drums need to change a bit as well, they sound too much like a loop. Try a more steady straight ahead hiphop beat, personally I would get rid of the delayed snare hit and somewhat dated kick snare groove of the second half of the loop and focus more on the first 4 bars of the loop, make the drum track more in line with that groove/feel. Also consider replacing the hihat track with a more steady 8th note feel, or keep the hihats you have now and add a steady hats track underneath it, maybe make it a shaker sound.. so that way when the hats drop out you still have a steady groove keeping it going.
Final thought is to add some lofi appropriate filters and drops to give the track some interest and momentum.
Hope this help!

[TLovato]

then maybe do some lo-fi work on the guitar phrases.

Thanks telefunkin! What do you suggest I do for the lo-fi work? Should I add like a low pass filter or something?

[TLovato]

Hey Tony!
I think you can go the lofi route for this track and it would work. The mix just needs some tweaks for the most part. A slightly better level balance overall.
I was going to say the track needs a bassline and accompanying keys part until I heard them better @ 1:04. So make those tracks a lot louder in the mix, maybe double the keys part with another lofi keys type sound and then drop them in and out to help create momentum and dynamics.
I feel the drums need to change a bit as well, they sound too much like a loop. Try a more steady straight ahead hiphop beat, personally I would get rid of the delayed snare hit and somewhat dated kick snare groove of the second half of the loop and focus more on the first 4 bars of the loop, make the drum track more in line with that groove/feel. Also consider replacing the hihat track with a more steady 8th note feel, or keep the hihats you have now and add a steady hats track underneath it, maybe make it a shaker sound.. so that way when the hats drop out you still have a steady groove keeping it going.
Final thought is to add some lofi appropriate filters and drops to give the track some interest and momentum.
Hope this help!

Thank you! I'll try all of this!

[telefunkin]

then maybe do some lo-fi work on the guitar phrases.

Thanks telefunkin! What do you suggest I do for the lo-fi work? Should I add like a low pass filter or something?

In the last ref the guitar phrases sound like they're loops that have been treated. You might try bit crushing/distortion or whatever it takes to futz the sound up just a bit to give the guitar some character in keeping with the genre.

[TLovato]

In the last ref the guitar phrases sound like they're loops that have been treated. You might try bit crushing/distortion or whatever it takes to futz the sound up just a bit to give the guitar some character in keeping with the genre.

Thank you! I'm experimenting with that rn and it sounds a lot more authentic!