There's been a lot of discussion about what makes an MC's performance dope (lyrics, flow, voice, personality), but there seems to be very little discussion regarding the elements necessary to make a dope hip-hop beat.

What are the elements that you would consider necessary for a hip-hop beat to be dope?

Feel free to post Youtube links of instrumentals too.

Has to have a intro (beginning) that is somewhat novel and pulls you into the mood of the song. Think the organ of Murder Was the Case, or the hi-hats of Shook Ones, or the horns for Time 4 Sum Acktion. They all add anticipation for the following background instrumental.

Has to 'set a mood'. Whether the beat is boom-bap or bass-heavy or jiggy, the music needs to encapsulate an emotional narrative throughout the track.

Variations of the melody or rhythm that are unexpected but clever. Like the subtle changes in the drum patterns on T.R.O.Y. or DJ Shadow's Number Song. Or the bass line of Mathematics or the melody of Mass Appeal.

Quality engineering / mixing. Hip hop beats rely a lot on sonic textures meshing together to create a soundscape. A song that arranges those sounds into a cohesive whole unit makes the music immersive and 'sets' a clear mood.

<--- Me when my head hits the pillow

I need a beat that creates the setting/atmosphere.

Yes, it needs a memorable intro.

I like pieces added on the hook.

I like the verses to breathe so the MC can be focused on.

But most important to me is the setting/atmosphere/mood it creates.

For instance, Shook Ones was mentioned in post 1 in regards to the intro but to me, that track IS mid-90s NYC Hip-Hop. You feel like you’re in the video with them.

Dre, Snoop...more recently Quik’s Book of David all feel like you’re chilling in Cali.

When the music brings the listener into their world, it achieves its goal to me, as broad and basic as that sounds.

To me, that was part of the experience. That’s why I complain about a lot of hip-hop today because everything sounds the same. Like it could be a rave club literally anywhere while on pills lol.

Soul Food IS the South to me.

That’s what makes beats dope to me.

Yes, well arranged and well mixed is great but it’s not necessary. Dah Shinin’ doesn’t sound that great from a quality stand point but I wouldn’t change a thing because you would lose the atmosphere it draws you in to.

Don't front like you don't know which four. I realized recently (last year or so) that there are a few drum loops that you can throw on anything and I will just lose my mind over it.

To all beat makers I say: take the easy way out use that same old loop!

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It's almost impossible, practically a contradiction of terms, to have a great beat without good drums, at least in terms of the *sound* of the drums.

More than anything, it's the choice of drum sounds (i.e. the sonic texture of the drums), the pattern/layout of the drum elements, and, most importantly, knowing how to mesh those two things with the rest of the beat (i.e. the samples or music or whatever).

Imagine a crisp, crackling snare on top of the Liquid Swords beat. Would be atrocious. Conversely, imagine soft, barely-there drums on any early Mobb Deep song. It's all about matching the drums to the material, but the drums really are make-or-break...

As an aside, this goes for literally all music, btw. I have a real hard time enjoying any music, rock, soul, pop, anything, that has garbage drum sounds.

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Kno, "Vitamin Detroit" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2fQhRtIxVJA
Tribe, "4 Moms" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hsES-686fTo
Nas, "Stay" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lNfeML6dbY0
OutKast, "Skew it on the bar-b" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Sh8e9pFP60
Travis Scott, "ASTROTHUNDER" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3QlRNV2nZO0

Guitar, piano, horns always get me, I could describe what makes a good beat but I like so many different styles it would sound generic, whats good applies across the board, something entirely electronic can sound just as good as instruments.


is it good without vocals, does it make me wanna write, is there a vibe/mood/atmosphere clearly projected that I can't ignore.

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Peace,

Spirit (Alan)
http://wutangbook.com

Common did a freestyle over that beat for I think Kid Capri back in the day. Was glad someone rhymed on it, but still prefer just the instru. So damn good.

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"Find a Way" "4 Moms" and "The Love" got all the replays on The Love Movement

didn't know Com rapper over this, gotta peep that

but yeah, this is the best example of a beat that needs no vocals and that's another thing that can make a beat great, does it even need vocals

like some tracks off Donuts or 9th's Zion II

PEACE LOVE and MONEY

https://soundcloud.com/dabeatnik/drumpf-beer

>is it good without vocals,

im all jumbled below and you concisely nailed it^^

Tears by Da King & I is a good example

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J2PQHB3DqcQ

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I don't necessarily NEED soul (the drums take priority) but I certainly prefer it. But I'm big on the old school g-funk stuff so I can do hardcore stuff too with dope drums.

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"Fuck aliens." © WarriorPoet415

>Tears by Da King & I is a good example
>
>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J2PQHB3DqcQ

I heard Killah Priest in my head as that beat ran lol


Peace,

Spirit (Alan)
http://wutangbook.com

(i know that sounds hokey)

and im speaking for me of course, but my favorite beats (eg "i went for mine" diamond d) keep my listening experience "flowing". kinda like when you ride one of those newer rollercoasters at Six Flags and you can feel the friction (or lack of) between the car you're sitting in and the track..it feels so damn new & *smooth*

the polar opposite for me would be something like eminem's "my name is" (that first single he had?)--it's all overly staccato-y and start/stop-y, like aural whiplash (and not in a good way). that track does zero for me (im sure the lyrics are fine but i cant get past the sonics of it)