One thing we've heard a lot from producers who are transitioning into trap and the future bass music sounds is that they're also into R&B. Be it reworking classic Keith Sweat like Ta-ku or working around some of the modern R&B movements, the experimentation that goes on in that genre is definitely being felt on both sides of the Atlantic. Out last week was Young Mind's "Femme Don" / "Yin Yang" on DJ Cable's Triangulum imprint. We already dropped the trap/R&B/bass music mix from Cable, and now we have these tracks that Young Mind said were influential in the production of this single. He's planning on having his next project be strictly '90s R&B influenced, with a singer and all, but for now, we can only imagine what it'll sound like, based on the tunes that gave him inspiration.
Terius Nash ft. Big Sean - "Ghetto"
The stabs in this one sound like where he might have gained inspiration for the melody in "Yin Yang."
Nicki Minaj ft. 2 Chainz - "Beez In The Trap"
Waiting for someone to throw this beat under the acapella of "Beez." Proper low-end trap nastiness.
Big Sean ft. Kanye West - "Marvin & Chardonnay"
Feels more like Big Sean's attitude spoke to Young Mind.
Jeremih - "773 Love"
"Yin Yang" flows like this tune, just a bit more turnt up.
Jamie Foxx ft. Rick Ross - "Living Better Now"
There's a lot going on in here, even without the weird Jamie Foxx vocal. Love the fill that's thrown in there. That melody is so quiet, too. This instrumental is actually doper than you'd think it would be.
A$AP Rocky - "Goldie"
There's a reason Hit-Boy is signed to G.O.O.D., and a lot of his big tunes (from "Goldie" to "Niggas in Paris") have helped bridge the bass music/hip-hop gap.
Dipset - "Salute"
araabMUZIK is another producer doing a lot of the blending of the rap and EDM worlds, and you can hear the way he flipped that melody atop those TOUGH drums.
Omarion ft. Wale - "M.I.A"
This is one of the lowkey highlights from the MMG Self Made 2 compilation, and would fit perfectly in sets from guys like Ta-ku, heads who are really pushing that future r&b sound.
The Dream - "Put it Down"
You have to love how there's no real hard snare here; we've got what sounds like lighter pitter-pats on the drums, really interesting percussion on this one, but he still maintains his cool vibe.
Mya ft. Nicki Minaj - "Ponytail"
This feels like some post-Timbaland flavor, which makes sense, considering MANY producers consider Timbaland as a huge influence.