Feedback for 'Retro 80's/90's style Hip-Hop' please!

[eandersonmusic]

Hey gang!
I'm working on this 80's to 90's style hip-hop instrumental, and would love any feedback!


Here's the listing-

RETRO 80's to 90's-Style HIP-HOP INSTRUMENTALS are needed by a Major European Media Company for a variety of Non-Exclusive opportunities!

This Company is on the hunt for Mid-to-Up-Tempo Instrumentals in the general stylistic wheelhouse of the references below:

WARNING: The references may include graphic and explicit lyrics. Listener discretion is advised.

"My Part of Town" by Tuff Crew
https://youtu.be/zRKRny3px10

"Hypnotize" by The Notorious B.I.G.
https://youtu.be/eaPzCHEQExs

"I'm Bad" by LL Cool J
https://youtu.be/Ey3fRSBoO30

"Still A G Thang" by Snoop Dogg
https://youtu.be/ph4aXfvCAYs

Although the references have vocals, please submit Instrumentals only for this request.

Please send them vintage-inspired Hip-Hop Instrumentals with catchy motifs, energizing beats, and tons of great energy that capture the sound and vibe of Hip-Hop music from the 1980's and 90's. Your submissions should have solid arrangements and slick instrumentation that leans into the retro style of the references. Please be sure that your production and any virtual instruments or samples you use are high-quality and polished. If you have tracks that sound like they are straight out of the 80's and 90's Hip-Hop scene, send them in!

Your Instrumentals should be at least 2 minutes long and no longer than 4 minutes, give or take. Non-faded, buttoned/stinger endings will likely work best. Do NOT copy the referenced examples in any way, shape, or form. Use them only as a general guide for tempo, tone, and vibe. Broadcast Quality is needed.

Quoting the Company: “Only artists/writers affiliated with ASCAP, BMI, SESAC, SACEM, IMRO, APRA AMCOS, SOCAN, including all Scandinavian and Latin American PROs, are eligible to submit their music for this opportunity.”

This company offers a NON-EXCLUSIVE deal, so you will keep 100% of all Composition and Master Rights. You must own or control your Master and Copyright to submit. Please send as many Instrumentals as you’d like, online or per CD. All submissions will be screened and critiqued by TAXI. Submissions must be received no later than 11:59 PM (PDT) on Monday, October 31st, 2022. TAXI Dispatch # D221031HH

Here's my track-

https://www.taxi.com/members/KIU8KmYxSi ... -than-ever

Thanks for your time!

[Paulie]

Cool groove, I think you are close, but more work is needed. I think the bass line makes this more of a funk track than hip hop. It leans more toward Parliament than Snoop Dogg, in my opinion. But, simplifying the bass line will get you closer. On top of that, you need to add some variation every 8 bars to keep the listener engaged. As is I think a screener rejects it due to a lack of variation or motivic development. Still funky as heck though!

[eandersonmusic]

Thanks, much appreciated sir!

[AlonMarcus]

My first response when listening to your track was "this is much more interesting and cooler than the references", as an instrumental.
I think it's a tricky listing cause Hip Hop instrumentals by themselves don't have much development, they serve the lyrics, where much of the action happens. I agree with Paulie that it needs some kind of change each 4 or 8 bars and I did feel you tried to do it with percussion.
So maybe you could add more creative percussion surprises and maybe play a bit with panning and FX that change instead of adding a melody or more melodic instruments.
The way the brass drags behind the synth bass is great!

Good Luck Erik!

[eandersonmusic]

Thanks Alon!
I plan on working on it today or tomorrow. I will try and rework the bass at parts, and see if I can't figure out something else to add to fill in those dead spots and keep momentum going.
Much appreciated fellas ✌