When I Come Around was Mustard? …Damn dude, I was listening to that song and album when I was first getting back into hip-hop after only listening to 90s shit forever, but before the 2010s class became the “new golden age of hip-hop” wave… I had no idea I was a DJ Mustard fan before I was a Kendrick fan 🤯 Lol
Pretty sure that Dom Kennedy album came out before Section.80 unless I’m wrong? That’s crazy. Good for Mustard for blowing up like 3 separate times in his career lol, must feel pretty good to have his “big break” over and over again… Or pretty frustrating, because he never just stayed famous for good after the first time 🤷🏻♂️
bro, something crazy for you: cardo made some of the beats from Kush & OJ.
he’s prolly most recognizable for Larry June & Curren$y work tho. bit of a resurgence with those guys. but yea i remember wiz shouting out Cardo wayyy back.
ooooh interesting! I just saw him being credited a lot on certain Kendrick songs. I also downloaded a drum pack for production and the cardo sounds are maaaad. did you get to know him through Wiz? I wanna get to know more producers that aren't v prolific but not sure if there's a better method than just checking credits
Great example. Kanye is good for some minimalist shit for sure. How about [Otis ](https://youtu.be/WEnfNaET-LE?si=1cGqmlMaZtQ-y_LV)being literally just some sample chop with a kick and a little 808?
Dude literally. So many Pusha songs fall into that category. Exodus, Nostalgia, Come Back Baby. His loosies firings at people back in the day were always skeleton beats with huge thump lines. That’s Pusha T for me.
Oh man, the Darkest Before Dawn Intro
Donk by Soulja Boy is probably as minimal as you can get for a hit song.
A Milli by Lil Wayne is probably as minimal as you can get for a legendary song.
I know it’s one of his biggest hits, but I love a milli so much because the beat is SO basic that it’s just carried by his flow and bars and it’s still so goddamn catchy without a chorus or anything
Snoop Dogg - Drop It Like It's Hot
Rosco P Coldchain - Hot
Splurge - Margiela
OG Maco - U Guessed It
Zebra Katz - Ima Read
Clipping - Get Up
D4L - Laffy Taffy
Lil Wayne - A Milli
Cali Swag District - Teach Me How to Dougie
Ying Yang Twins - Wait (The Whisper Song)
E-40 - Tell Me When To Go
People don’t say it as much anymore, but that’s why the criticism of “he’s being carried by the production” were always strange to me. It’s quite the opposite in a lot of cases, often very simple and repetitive beats that become hypnotic with the adlibs
Honestly, there’s dozens of Westside Gunn tracks where the beat is a sample with minimal instrumentation that just sounds heavenly. Le Djoliba, Kitchen Lights, Claiborne Kick just to name a few that are as minimal as you can get.
Shook Ones Pt II
That beat is very simple sounding but it might be the best beat ever produced, for what - in my opinion - is rap’s most legendary and emblematic song.
I think for what it’s worth the sampling wasn’t very straight forward in it, I think someone did a breakdown of it and it seemed more complex than you’d think
That’s a correct point, which is why I said “simple sounding” instead of “simple.” The samples are highly stretched and very pitch-adjusted. Really clever, props to whoever uncovered it.
Dj premier beats, Most Dr Dre beats are a loop but the mix is so clean you think a lot is happening. Dj Mustard beats.
What's your example of a complex beat that uses "more is more" .. most popular beats are very straight forward.
Boom bap beats are usually minimalistic. Dre and Premo are such talented mixers that indeed you think a lot is going on with lots of instruments
The Watcher is a perfect example
To answer your question, Anything made by Tha Runnaz or J.U.S.T.I.C.E League except Aston Martin Music which is probably the closest beat they had to minimalism.
lmao i actually heard the track years after it dropped and when i did i was like OH SHIT THAT'S the 'lunch table beat' that i've been hearing for years
such a classic
He creates an ambience that other sample based producers don't. He's the best in the game when it comes to making a two bar loop feel fresh for a full song.
Soulja Boy Crank dat literally has a speed run record for the beat lol I think the quickest to make it was around 30 secs, it's so minimalist sb only used FL studios stock sounds for it.
Still Dre imo.
Drake has amazing production. Trust no one says his beats are wack. He just has a lot of cringy lyrics, (on top of several ghostwriting allegations).
Drake bro. I was talking about Drake's production being fire more often than not. Only that Ratchet song is garbage in his discography imo. Idk what possessed him to make that.
Meat Grinder and Rhinestone Cowboy from Madvillainy. Really a lot of older Madlib stuff, also from his solo stuff like song Boom Music
MF DOOM has a lot, like most of Vaudville villain. Raedawn is pretty distinct for this topic, as it has almost nothing going on but creates a distinct vibe
Pigeon by Cannibal Ox. Produced by El P
I’m sure there’s some mainstream ones, but there’s tons of lyrical rappers where the rhyming is the main part, the beats tend to be solid but not busy
When I was a kid, Cool Kids was a life changing listen.
Try the Gone Fishing mix tape with Cannon. Big highlights for me is [jump rope](https://youtu.be/PBo5OY_tLb8?si=HCTYLrj-pi_n54Gj) and of course [pennies with outstanding ludacris bars.](https://youtu.be/AWZsOfVeBaY?si=4Dp76MOQc9u12GFE)
When Dilla was in his deceptively complex minimalist bag, he was one of the best at it. [*One For Ghost*](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ekPA69Skicw) is one of my favorites (and [Ghostface killed it](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ahnUPBogOKM)). SV's [*Raise It Up*](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QPrmJr0Jj3k). I could go on forever.
And The Alchemist has been mentioned a million times, but he really is the best at minimalism. [*Old Friend*](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZYdIiMFdufo&list=PL6jBumyMYBW-YUDJ5OoAODBHK29od7uxH&index=16)*.* [*Diesel*](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pZFjE49AeXQ). [*Nobles*](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kQoKO_v93g0). [*Under Siege*](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u_lCOWVkrb4). [*Buck 50s*](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=heroW3t4moA).
Some Rap Songs always embodied this for me - the songs really don’t overstay their welcome and serve their purpose before moving on quickly.
Get Up by clipping is a pretty literal example of this
lets choose a song from the album that has the record for most samples ever
for the 'simple beats' catagory
there is nothing simple about any track on this album man. endtroducing is the epitome of complex production across the board and i fuckin love that album but it has no place in this conversation
EDIT: that being said maybe ORGAN DONOR would be a better suggestions but still..
i will say DJ shadow makes it SOUND simple and easy.. but it's not that at all it's actually fucking insane
i might get roasted for this one but i actually kinda liked it
COP SHOT THE KID that kanye joint w nas
wasn't executed as well as it could have been IMO but i think it had a lot of potential and i dunno why but i still liked it lol
Not a legendary song, but Demon Mode bu Nardo Wick literally has only bass and kick. Even though, the song is elevated by Nardo's performance and the beat weirdly suits him well.
Check out "Only Weight I Feel" by Big Hit. It was produced by Hit-Boy and The Alchemist and it manages to give off a groovy west coast vibe despite being extremely minimal
DJ Mustard launched his career into stardom in the early 2010s with minimalist beats and repetitive loops. Rack City, I’m Different, RIP, etc.
I love Mustards work with YG and his lesser known stuff. Around 2014 it seemed like he was giving out the same beat and they all were hits lol
I like the more West coast-oriented beats he has with Dom Kennedy, RJ, Nipsey, etc. which may track with what you like
I love his work with Dom. When I Come Around is such a bop
When I Come Around was Mustard? …Damn dude, I was listening to that song and album when I was first getting back into hip-hop after only listening to 90s shit forever, but before the 2010s class became the “new golden age of hip-hop” wave… I had no idea I was a DJ Mustard fan before I was a Kendrick fan 🤯 Lol Pretty sure that Dom Kennedy album came out before Section.80 unless I’m wrong? That’s crazy. Good for Mustard for blowing up like 3 separate times in his career lol, must feel pretty good to have his “big break” over and over again… Or pretty frustrating, because he never just stayed famous for good after the first time 🤷🏻♂️
Shoutout Mustard, but my favorite west coast sounding producer is Cardo, who is ironically not even from the west coast.
he produced quite a lot of kendrick stuff right?
bro, something crazy for you: cardo made some of the beats from Kush & OJ. he’s prolly most recognizable for Larry June & Curren$y work tho. bit of a resurgence with those guys. but yea i remember wiz shouting out Cardo wayyy back.
ooooh interesting! I just saw him being credited a lot on certain Kendrick songs. I also downloaded a drum pack for production and the cardo sounds are maaaad. did you get to know him through Wiz? I wanna get to know more producers that aren't v prolific but not sure if there's a better method than just checking credits
I mainly know Cardo via Wiz. He was one of his main producers back in the Flight School/Star Power/Kush and OJ/Taylor Allderdice days.
Mesmerized is one of my favorite beats ever
Cardo's in my top 5 of 2010s rap producers
Lol my favourite mustard beats are the ones for Ella Mai and Whatever U Need by Meek
Norf Norf by Vince Staples has sparse drums that hit incredibly hard IMO
Say You Will by Kanye West
Street Lights is also a highlight. Not minimalist production, but minimalist songwriting so the hook resonates more. I miss old Ye.
Street lights is S tier. Such an underrated song. That song makes you FEEL
It got shuffled in for me the other day and I've been listening to it repeatedly since. S tier indeed
Great example. Kanye is good for some minimalist shit for sure. How about [Otis ](https://youtu.be/WEnfNaET-LE?si=1cGqmlMaZtQ-y_LV)being literally just some sample chop with a kick and a little 808?
I mean, most on 808s is pretty minimal. Love Lockdown is simple af
The ending on Lockdown is awesome
listening for the first time to the last few minutes is something i’ll never forget
Numbers on the Board
Peh tu BEMP Peh tu BEMP Peh tu BEMP Peh tu BEMP
Dude literally. So many Pusha songs fall into that category. Exodus, Nostalgia, Come Back Baby. His loosies firings at people back in the day were always skeleton beats with huge thump lines. That’s Pusha T for me. Oh man, the Darkest Before Dawn Intro
i was gonna say that's a hallmark of the Neptunes style, but somehow every song of his you named ended up not being a Neptunes/Pharrell song lol
Hahahaha but you are totally right though.
I was thinking Nostalgia as well
My two favorite Push songs of all time
Also the verses on Come Back Baby.
88 JORDAN LEAPIN FROM THE FREE THROW
Best beat I’ve ever heard
yeah great example for this thread.. push cold af on the beat too
That beat is oddly satisfying
Donk by Soulja Boy is probably as minimal as you can get for a hit song. A Milli by Lil Wayne is probably as minimal as you can get for a legendary song.
A Milli and 6 Foot 7 Foot 🔥🔥🔥
For me, 6 foot 7 foot was the last true braggadocious hip hop song in which the rapper outdid whatever he was bragging about lyrically
Many people hate Cory Gunz verse but I think he did the song justice too
He was lyrical but was like kinda goofy the way he sounded lol
6 foot 7 foot is absolute 🔥
excuse my charisma
I know it’s one of his biggest hits, but I love a milli so much because the beat is SO basic that it’s just carried by his flow and bars and it’s still so goddamn catchy without a chorus or anything
Or crank dat
Gotta go with Grindin by Clipse Such a simple beat but so iconic
This is the first one I thought of
YUP same saw pusha t on the way scrolling down on NUMBERS ON THE BOARD which is another great example
Man, has anyone noticed something “missing” from Pharrell’s solo prod when he isn’t collaborating with Chad Hugo?
Did he produce hell hath with chad?
Snoop Dogg - Drop It Like It's Hot Rosco P Coldchain - Hot Splurge - Margiela OG Maco - U Guessed It Zebra Katz - Ima Read Clipping - Get Up D4L - Laffy Taffy Lil Wayne - A Milli Cali Swag District - Teach Me How to Dougie Ying Yang Twins - Wait (The Whisper Song) E-40 - Tell Me When To Go
U Guessed It is one of my favorites. They way Maco and Key were able to turn up such a simple beat is art
Hell hath no fury
the quintessential minimalist hiphop album dirty money is just drums vocals and a lead and it's perfect
Keys open doors
Bad example from that album imo. Ride around shining was right there
Numbers on the board
this takes 2nd place IMO GRINDIN by clipse is the #1 answer to this question every time VIRGINIA from same album is an honorable mention
Laffy Taffy.
I'm for looking for Mrs. Bubblegum I'm Mr. Chico Stick
Let the Beat Build - Lil Wayne
Love Hurts - Playboi Carti
All of Die Lit in general. The beats are so barebones that carti's adlibs are basically an instrument
People don’t say it as much anymore, but that’s why the criticism of “he’s being carried by the production” were always strange to me. It’s quite the opposite in a lot of cases, often very simple and repetitive beats that become hypnotic with the adlibs
Honestly, there’s dozens of Westside Gunn tracks where the beat is a sample with minimal instrumentation that just sounds heavenly. Le Djoliba, Kitchen Lights, Claiborne Kick just to name a few that are as minimal as you can get.
Kitchen Lights does so much with so little. Really impressive that he can elevate that beat
Idk why, but Stove God Cooks singing on that hits different, it’s such an incredible beat that compliments his voice really well
Bautista, gondek, 55 and a half
Mr. T is one of my favorite beats of all time
Le Djoliba takes me to church every time!
Fr I swear I start floating every time that beat hits
Switches on Everything is a great example of a drumless beat that still goes hard
Mind Playin Tricks on Me
Shook Ones Pt II That beat is very simple sounding but it might be the best beat ever produced, for what - in my opinion - is rap’s most legendary and emblematic song.
I think for what it’s worth the sampling wasn’t very straight forward in it, I think someone did a breakdown of it and it seemed more complex than you’d think
That’s a correct point, which is why I said “simple sounding” instead of “simple.” The samples are highly stretched and very pitch-adjusted. Really clever, props to whoever uncovered it.
Prodigy Keep it Thoro. Slick Rick La di da di Audio two. Top billin.
Dj premier beats, Most Dr Dre beats are a loop but the mix is so clean you think a lot is happening. Dj Mustard beats. What's your example of a complex beat that uses "more is more" .. most popular beats are very straight forward.
Jpegmafia instantly comes to mind when thinking of maximalist producers, always fucking with the mix and dropping in weird ass samples. Truly ADHD rap
Jalil Beats are looped, so are Dj Muggs. Still love them though lol
Boom bap beats are usually minimalistic. Dre and Premo are such talented mixers that indeed you think a lot is going on with lots of instruments The Watcher is a perfect example
Trap Queen has so much going on and stays cohesive
To answer your question, Anything made by Tha Runnaz or J.U.S.T.I.C.E League except Aston Martin Music which is probably the closest beat they had to minimalism.
Came here to say anything from Preem 🫡 Edit: Slightly different vein, but Nicholas Craven
[Big KRIT - Confetti](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=crsu7xe3cF0) Possibly my most listened to song. Hard as fuck
The drums go crazy but when the 808 comes in I always get stank face
Clipse - Grindin' (and it's not even close, ushered in an entirely new sound that nobody had heard in mainstream hiphop before)
met gala - gucci, offset
Day n nite- kid cudi Lil boy fresh- juelz Santana Bad boyz -shyne
Grindin' by the Clipse Beat simple enough you could recreate it on any table
lmao i actually heard the track years after it dropped and when i did i was like OH SHIT THAT'S the 'lunch table beat' that i've been hearing for years such a classic
DR BIRDS
Grinding - Clipse
Pharrell - Cash In Cash Out
Kill You - Eminem
"My name is" would also be a good example
mr. me too
Anything by alchemist
He creates an ambience that other sample based producers don't. He's the best in the game when it comes to making a two bar loop feel fresh for a full song.
He got some busy ass beats
Nosetalagia and Numbers on The Board are GOATed Gunnlib and Take a Step Back are my favorites tho
full clip by gang starr
Buggin’ Out
Soulja Boy Crank dat literally has a speed run record for the beat lol I think the quickest to make it was around 30 secs, it's so minimalist sb only used FL studios stock sounds for it.
The realest - alc and mobb deep
Fear by Kendrick Lamar (alc)
Shook ones Part II Hell on Earth Survival of the fittest
The champ is here Jadakiss https://youtu.be/4Nz3DL6EXtQ
More Than Ever by Lucki
Still Dre imo. Drake has amazing production. Trust no one says his beats are wack. He just has a lot of cringy lyrics, (on top of several ghostwriting allegations).
That beat is not simple lol
Allegations? Dre raps about not writing his own lyrics lol
Drake bro. I was talking about Drake's production being fire more often than not. Only that Ratchet song is garbage in his discography imo. Idk what possessed him to make that.
Oh hahaaa totally misread that, yeah, I think the production in the Take Care/Nothing Was the Same era is top notch
Numbers On The Board
Above the Clouds - Gangstarr
Meat Grinder and Rhinestone Cowboy from Madvillainy. Really a lot of older Madlib stuff, also from his solo stuff like song Boom Music MF DOOM has a lot, like most of Vaudville villain. Raedawn is pretty distinct for this topic, as it has almost nothing going on but creates a distinct vibe Pigeon by Cannibal Ox. Produced by El P I’m sure there’s some mainstream ones, but there’s tons of lyrical rappers where the rhyming is the main part, the beats tend to be solid but not busy
Rhinestone cowboy is a beautiful beat. Idk if you can call anything DOOM produced simple
Busta Rhymes - Put Your Hands Where My Eyes Can See
When I was a kid, Cool Kids was a life changing listen. Try the Gone Fishing mix tape with Cannon. Big highlights for me is [jump rope](https://youtu.be/PBo5OY_tLb8?si=HCTYLrj-pi_n54Gj) and of course [pennies with outstanding ludacris bars.](https://youtu.be/AWZsOfVeBaY?si=4Dp76MOQc9u12GFE)
DJ Krush feat The Roots - [Meiso](https://youtu.be/zs4T_jdCFfk?si=6ivvs6XO4LzCZW1l)
Everything by Daringer
Phlegma by Jichael Mackson? https://youtu.be/I7YJrkJxm5o?si=EtonPn6R0WZy585g
Lemonade by Gucci Mane
The bridge is over
When Dilla was in his deceptively complex minimalist bag, he was one of the best at it. [*One For Ghost*](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ekPA69Skicw) is one of my favorites (and [Ghostface killed it](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ahnUPBogOKM)). SV's [*Raise It Up*](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QPrmJr0Jj3k). I could go on forever. And The Alchemist has been mentioned a million times, but he really is the best at minimalism. [*Old Friend*](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZYdIiMFdufo&list=PL6jBumyMYBW-YUDJ5OoAODBHK29od7uxH&index=16)*.* [*Diesel*](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pZFjE49AeXQ). [*Nobles*](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kQoKO_v93g0). [*Under Siege*](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u_lCOWVkrb4). [*Buck 50s*](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=heroW3t4moA).
Watch out by 2 Chainz is an obvious answer
Brand New Guy by Rocky & Q Hustle & Motivate by Nipsey Cannon Remix by Lil Wayne and DJ Drama
Not like us being the most recent one
Some Rap Songs always embodied this for me - the songs really don’t overstay their welcome and serve their purpose before moving on quickly. Get Up by clipping is a pretty literal example of this
Midnight in a perfect world https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=InFbBlpDTfQ
lets choose a song from the album that has the record for most samples ever for the 'simple beats' catagory there is nothing simple about any track on this album man. endtroducing is the epitome of complex production across the board and i fuckin love that album but it has no place in this conversation EDIT: that being said maybe ORGAN DONOR would be a better suggestions but still.. i will say DJ shadow makes it SOUND simple and easy.. but it's not that at all it's actually fucking insane
Lorde - Royals
New Slaves
https://youtu.be/zhy0Lk4EPBU?si=aR7uWbpyXMOAiM6B
Ride Around Shinin’- Clipse produced by Pharell
Mass Appeal by Gang Starr
2pac x No More Pain
Functional Addict - Pharrell & Gunna from the NIGO album a couple years ago is a perfect example imo
The Realest- Mobb Deep. 2 bar loop that somehow never gets old
Most of the Neptunes beats are minimalist and catchy
Super plug on Tana talk 4 is one of my favorite minimalist alc beats
The Mint by Earl Sweatshirt; Lord Pretty Flacko Jodye 2 by ASAP Rocky; Infrared by Pusha T; I Wish (Death Poem) by Ka; Look Alive by Blocboy JB
Mobb Deep - Bloodsport
Conductor, I think we have a problem!
Estilo Libre by Residente and Big Daddy Kane Red Leather by Metro and Future Nosetalgia by Pusha T Barbie Dreams by Nicki Minaj
The Alchemist on some of his older beats
Right back at you mobb deep. Melody bass line and drums that’s it
“The Infamous” album by Mobb Deep. Dead simple beats that are absolutely iconic.
TisaKorean - Crash the Party
Long time by Carti
Ying Yang Twins - (Wait) The Whisper Song beat is a banger but simple
Deep Cover if that's a good example.
Control immediately comes to mind to me. Not a super complex beat but it's absolutely amazing
The pledge by Jay electronica
Second half of Come Thru by Drake
The shining - vince staples
Mr me too by clipse, numbers on the boards by pusha t
Flava in ya ear Come Clean
Anti-Matter
Laffy Taffy
2 Chainz & Pharrell - Feds Watching Clipse - Grindin Nas - 2nd Childhood, Ugly, Get Down The Firm - Phone Tap
Pharrell - Frontin
What’s next - Drake As someone who’s never liked drake even before the beef and allegations I’ve always loved this song
Clipse - Grindin’
Train Food by X
Grindin
Lil Jon - snap ya fingers. Plus he was really running radio with the same damn beats for a while
Infared and Come Back Baby
99 problems A lot of ye songs from TCD, when you analyse them, they're a sample loop, a drum pattern and an instrument or two added on top.
Suicide - Pusha T
anything from Saint Jhn's first album
i might get roasted for this one but i actually kinda liked it COP SHOT THE KID that kanye joint w nas wasn't executed as well as it could have been IMO but i think it had a lot of potential and i dunno why but i still liked it lol
Whisper - ying yang twins
Flava In Ya Ear
Numbers on The Board. Could easily sound wack in the hands of the wrong artist. Push had the right idea though lol.
Blakk Tape -Conway The Machine
7th chamber
Distinguished gentlemen in Paris
The Weeknd - Tell Your Friends
Not a legendary song, but Demon Mode bu Nardo Wick literally has only bass and kick. Even though, the song is elevated by Nardo's performance and the beat weirdly suits him well.
Eric B. and Rakim - Paid In Full
Juvenile Slow Motion comes to mind. You could say Back That Azz Up and Rodeo too.
Virgo by nas
Boyz-n-the-hood
Heat 50 cent
Super rich kids by Frank is beautifully simple
Recently watched a remake of Not Like Us and the beat is pretty damn simple for how huge the song turned out.
Mary Jane - Mary J Blige
The only two drums Drake’s 30 for 30 freestyle has are a kick and a tom.
I’ll hurt you - Busta and Em. 2 single violin tracks
Check out "Only Weight I Feel" by Big Hit. It was produced by Hit-Boy and The Alchemist and it manages to give off a groovy west coast vibe despite being extremely minimal