Hip-hop for music libraries...

[slideboardouts]

Hi everyone. I specialize in doing southern and pop style hip hop instrumentals and had a question for anybody who is getting hip hop instrumentals placed in music libraries. What do music libraries look for in hip hop instrumentals?I submitted two tracks to a listing a few months ago. One was returned and the other was forwarded. The screener said that the foundations of both were good, but that they needed more melodic variation. I totally agree. So for the hip hop listing that was due last week, I tweaked the forwarded one and wrote 2 new tracks focusing on melodic variation. One had what I would consider more classic hip hop style variations in it. The other track had variations that I would consider more pop-like and a little outside the classic hip hop/rap mould.The tracks are at www.taxi.com/slideboardouts and are as follows:Brass Beat - rejectedDuval - forwardedLin Kuei - Slightly more melodic varianceWut - a lot more melodic variance I've been really studying the hip hop/rap songs on the radio and on TV shows/commercials and from what I can tell, a lot of them just repeat the same 8 bars over and over. Some have melodic changes, breaks, etc...but many don't even have contrast between the verse and the chorus aside from what the MC and/or singer is doing.So what do libraries look for in a hip hop instrumental? Do they want to see it structured like a pop song with plenty of changes (intro-verse-chorus-bridge etc.)? I'm a little confused. Any help would be much appreciated.-Steve

[jh]

Hi Steve,I´m not exactly an expert (yet ), but:Quote:So what do libraries look for in a hip hop instrumental? Do they want to see it structured like a pop song with plenty of changes (intro-verse-chorus-bridge etc.)I´m usually using a "intro-verse-chorus-verse-chorus-bridge-chorus-chorus" structure. It depends a little bit on what´s the sub-genre. Like in crunk, there´s very little variation. However, it´s a good idea to create a contrast between verse and chorus when you´re writing an instrumental. I hope this helps - JH

[anne]

Hi Steve - I'm definitely not an expert either but I have been listening to a lot of hip hop lately. I noticed some similarity in Duval and Lin Kuel - you didn't say if LK was forwarded for anything but I would imagine it would be for any on-target submission. I also liked the slightly "world" feel to that tune, but don't know if that interferes with it being mainstream on listings for hip hop style. Wut is, I think, right in the pocket like Duval.Brass beat has such a heavy rock feel to it and more repetition - definitely not as melodically interesting as the others but a good foundation nonetheless. I don't know if you were at the rally - the panels were saying that, especially in hip hop, its all about doing things in a way that the genre is unmistakable but that the sounds or beats have a fresh twist. Taxi reviews do emphasize having a good melodic line, and sometimes this comment can be read as instrumental contrast- I think that may be what you see as the main difference between Brass Beat and Duval - and is a prevalent comment across instrumentals in all genres, especially for tv listings. Your approach - listening to commercials and shows and really trying to analyze the tracks your hearing - is the perfect way to approach writing your music. I don't know if any of this is helpful - just my 2 cents!You

[reezin]

What you are doing (listening to the radio/TV/FILM) gets you 1/2 way there...keep doing that. Now, you need to create tracks with a "specific" focus in mind. In other words, create specific tracks for dramatic scenes, action scenes, street scenes, intros, etc. This was the advice I received at the Taxi Summit this year. If you already do this...Perfect! Of course, be as creative as you can in order to distinguish your production style (i.e. Timberland), but the screener/listener should have "No Doubt" of where your track fits in a TV/Film project. Don't be generic. Hope this helps Steve.PS Make a connection with 2 or 3 Publishing or Music Library reps directly to ask them to visit your site and give you feedback. Also, check out www.positionmusic.com ...I got this site at the summit as well. I'm venturing down the same road, so lets keep each other posted.HollaReezin

[slideboardouts]

Thanks for the advice everyone!@Anne - I just submitted lin kuei and wut for the first time along with resubmitting Duval to a listing due last week. I think the only one that has a chance is LK because of the "world" feel it has. The listing was for a library that "exclusively supply songs/tracks to numerous Cable TV shows -- mostly cooking and travel shows." I'm hoping that they are looking for tracks for their non-cooking/travel show clients. Otherwise I think those songs may be a little too aggressive sounding. @Reezin - I'll definitely start focusing on writing for specific scenes and keep you posted on any results.thanks again,Steve

[ciskokidd]

Hey Steve,Since I have some Hip-Hop cues placed with a couple of libraries, I can comment on what these specific libraries are looking for:1. They want fresh and current sounding beats2. They want a few different musical sections that move the song forward.3. They want button endings. No fades! - musical sting is best.4. They like an interesting and SHORT intro/hook - something that will jump out at an editor and that will make them choose yours.5. They want melodic hooks!!6. No uncleared samples!I would recommend listening carefully to the way Dr. Dre and Timbaland constructs their beats. You will get a really good feel for the type of thing that gets you noticed and keeps you hooked.When I listened to your beats there was one thing that stood out. Your sounds are not up to par with what the best in the industry are using. Let me know what kind of gear you use and I can recommend some stuff.All the best,Cisco