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I've made quite a few submissions for the RnB songwriting category but keep being told I haven't managed to sound close enough to the modern Rnb genre.

This song Lookalike is for an upcoming RnB submission - used a Frank Ocean song as a model - is it RnB?? thanks

https://soundcloud.com/stevelowsongs/lookalike

Hey Steve.

I couldn't hear your song. The link opened to page with numerous song titles not accessible to listen. Also, I didn't see a title of the song that you are referencing. Sasha

Oh! The song was called Lookalike. Is it possible to enter a URL for the songs loaded on Taxi?

Here it is on Sound cloud

https://soundcloud.com/stevelowsongs/lookalike

SteveWnz wrote:Oh! The song was called Lookalike. Is it possible to enter a URL for the songs loaded on Taxi?

Here it is on Sound cloud

https://soundcloud.com/stevelowsongs/lookalike

Modern RnB artists to listen to: Anderson Paak, Drake, ect... It's changed to more rap influenced instrumentals and rhymescheme. Even artists like D.R.A.M exist, who collaborate their RnB vocal styles with mumble rappers like Lil Yachty and sing over bouncy trap instrumentals.

NaeDae has given you solid advice. Also consider what type of RnB you desire to write. Beyonce is different from Kehlani. Good luck.

Thanks for the help. I listen to a lot of RnB and it seems to be defined by the beat (slowish with intricate patterns), the kind of street themes, the language, the melodic phrasing off and around the beat. I like trying to write in that genre because of the freedom of expression. Even so the taxi guys like my songs but say it's not close enough to the genre

I just had this one returned

https://soundcloud.com/stevelowsongs/shes-got-previous

SteveWnz wrote:Thanks for the help. I listen to a lot of RnB and it seems to be defined by the beat (slowish with intricate patterns), the kind of street themes, the language, the melodic phrasing off and around the beat. I like trying to write in that genre because of the freedom of expression. Even so the taxi guys like my songs but say it's not close enough to the genre

I just had this one returned

https://soundcloud.com/stevelowsongs/shes-got-previous

I've always found that if you don't talk a certain way; as in if you don't regularly talk a certain way without thinking about it, then trying to write lyrics that talk that way will always come off forced. It has to be natural to how you actually talk or the subtle forced-ness will always come through to listeners whether you hear it yourself or not.

I didn't listen to your song yet (I will later and update you), but if you aren't from a background that talks in the same slang they use on the radio, then I'd suggest having someone else help you with lyrics.

Hey Steve, a good thing for you to try might be to just tackle some of the instrumental cue listings for R&B tracks. One thing that struck me about the two songs you linked is that the music beds are out of sync with what current R&B is doing. Sounds like you're using an electric piano of some sort, and I don't think I've heard much - if any - of that in modern R&B. You're also using a real drum kit sound, and modern R&B doesn't do that either. Take a listen to a few of these tracks to see if you can analyze what the producer did to create their bottom-heavy sound:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HPHbeSGVKJo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dyg32hMf7Fk

If you can start dialing in your music beds by working on making a bunch of cues, you'd probably make "modern" music much faster, and wouldn't have to put so much effort into creating an entire song because you wouldn't have to worry about lyrics or singing a good vocal. Just hone your chops on the quick instrumental cues and see if you can get your tracks sounding like the music beds of the big guys.

Good luck to you on the journey!

~~Matt

Steve,
I listened to both songs and they don't feel RnB to me. Part of that is the vocal performance and the other part is the instrumentation is not modern enough. believe me when I first was on the forums I heard the same things. It is hard to find that niche. you are going up against Taxi members who have that genre down. I am just trying to be honest with you so you don't waste your time because i have done plenty of that. Below is a link to Modern RnB songs. i hope this helps.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wPBcT82 ... U1Ojg9_b89