Hip-Hop Help

[Joseph]

Please, let me know what you guys think of these tracks. Do they fit the listing, what are some improvements I can make on the mix?
Trapped in the Hood:
https://soundcloud.com/premium-joe/trapped-in-the-hood
Fat Bottom:
https://soundcloud.com/premium-joe/fat-bottom-sub

HIP-HOP INSTRUMENTAL CUES are needed by a NON-Exclusive Music Licensing Company that’s supplying music directly to Music Supervisors on several Reality TV Shows. They’re eagerly hunting for original, current, Down-to-Mid-Tempo Cues that could be found on the same playlist as acts like Juicy J, Fetty Wap, O.T. Genasis, etc., etc., etc. Please review the following Instrumentals to get a general idea of the sound that can work for this pitch:

“Bounce It” (Instrumental) by Juicy J:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UXkMXHXKnOM

“Trap Queen” (Instrumental) by Fetty Wap:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dhc_n6ZmiOk

“Coco” (Instrumental) by O.T. Genasis:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ybYjhzvWyEk

Give them Cues with relatively simple arrangements, with tightly syncopated hit-hat rhythms, a fat, thumpin’ bottom end, and a catchy, central melodic theme that compliments the beat. Be sure your Cue moves forward and develops interest by adding and subtracting layers of instrumentation.
Easy edit points and buttoned/stinger endings are recommended for this pitch. Please do NOT submit any material with unauthorized samples of other artists’ music, sounds, or any other form of media. They don’t have a specific length requirement for this pitch, but we’d recommend at least 90 seconds or longer. Broadcast quality is needed (great sounding home recordings are fine).
This company offers a NON-EXCLUSIVE, 50/50 split. You’ll split any applicable sync fees and performance royalties. You'll get 100% of the Writer's share, and the Publisher will get 100% of the Publisher’s share. You must own or control your Master and Copyright. Please submit one to three Instrumental Cues online or per CD no later than 11:59PM (PDT), on Thursday, July 2nd, 2015. TAXI #U150702HC

Thanks for any help.

-Joseph

[Edgar]

Short comments from me..

Trapped in the Hood
Kick should be in the center of the mix.

Fat Bottom
Would like to hear tighter kick.

[Joseph]

Thanks, I'll work on that.

-Joseph

[Russell Landwehr]

Hi, Joseph.

Good starts here. Nice feel for this genre.

Four things:
These seem a little bass-heavy to me, check them against the a'las on your mixing desk.
The drums need to come up front a bit more.
Add ear candy. Neat little tasty things here and there that fit and support but don't draw attention.
Trapped in the Hood is too short. 44sec is about half of the minimum if they don't specify "at least 2 minutes" in the listing text.

All the best
Russell Landwehr

[Joseph]

Thanks, Russell.

-Joseph

[Paulie]

Great start, this can be tweaked to perfection. Double or triple the length, and for a cue be sure to build interest over time. This has three sections, what I would call medium, then small, then medium+ in intensity. I would switch the middle section to the front as the intro. Also, since this is a cue be sure to insert edit points. I've read here that it's good to aim for 0:29 and 0:59 as long as you can do it without disturbing the musical context.

Good luck!

[Joseph]

How's this? https://soundcloud.com/premium-joe/trap ... e-hood-ext

I tried reducing the bass a bit, extended the track, and added a few new elements to it. I need to work more on the mix tonight (have to go to work). Please, feel free to comment. Thanks again.

-Joseph

[Russell Landwehr]

Sounding better... i think you may have dialed the bass back too much.

[Joseph]

How's this?: https://soundcloud.com/premium-joe/trap ... hood-sweep

I added another synth in the second half, adjusted bass level again, changed the synth sound around :28 because it was bothering me, added a sweep effect around 1:20 and tried to raise the drums a bit. I'll work on Fat Bottom tonight and post tomorrow (maybe). Thank you all for the tips so far. Any more would be greatly appreciated.

-Joseph

[Russell Landwehr]

Now I don't remember your other mixes, but I'm digging the sonic structure of this mix.