The Power of Simplicity
In a world where producers have access to endless plugins, VSTs, and samples, it’s tempting to over complicate your beats.
But if you study the top-charting tracks, a common thread emerges: simplicity. Legendary producers like Wheezy has mastered the art of doing more with less.
His beats leave space for the artist, punch hard, and stay stuck in your head.
Wheezy's Production Style
Wheezy’s production style can be summed up like so:
Space Times 2
There's two ways to think of this. First the bit fills out the stereo space. Wheezy's beats feel full. But at the same time there's space for the artists to rap. The vocals don't collide with the beat.
Wheezy achieves this by using
- Orchestral sounds or pads that are full.
- These sounds are generally simple in progression, so they're not busy.
Catchy Melody Is Supporting
The melodies are more supporting players, not the main star. They are noticeable but not the main thing. Often you'll hear them panned but not too much so they are just a side.
He finds the right balance where it's catchy but not the main star of the beat.
The main orchestral sound and the drums are the main part of the beat.
Wheezy achieves this by using
- Wavy melodies to fill out space without clutter
- Wide stereo imaging for atmosphere
Hard Hitting Drums
The drums hit hard but they are straightforward. The main thing here is sound selection.
Wheezy achieves hard hitting drums by:
- Using simple 808 patterns
- A stop and go hi hat pattern to get a nice trap drum groove with bounce
- Filling out the drums with open hi hats and percussion
Why Wheezy's Beats Work
The Artist As The Focal Point
Wheezy is a producer who understands that the artists is the centerpiece. By leaving space in the instrumental, he allows the vocal performance to shine.
Simplicity = Memorable
Simplicity makes a beat more memorable. Most catchy beats have a simple melody, hook, or structure to them. This is what Wheezy leans into.
A few well-placed sounds are easier for the ear to latch onto than a wall of noise.
A Formula To Produce Like Wheezy
Follow this formula to produce like Wheezy.
- Find a rich sound you like. It should be a full, rich synth or orchestral sound. You may have to do some layering here to get this. The general vibe you're going for here is dark.
- Create a simple chord progression.
- Get a nice set of trap drums and add in a simple trap drum pattern.
- The key here is the 808 has to hit hard. Like your main sound, it should be rich. No weak 808s
- Add in a synth arp or vocal chops.
Wheezy Production Reference Tracks
Here are some solid tracks produced by Wheezy that really showcase his style.
Hot by Young Thug
Here we can hear an orchestral hit each bar that fills out the space. To compliment the beat is a flute melody.
99 by Lil Baby featuring Future
Here you can hear a a string like synth that fills out and take big chunk of space. Occasional synths and arps come in as melodies, but as seconday sounds at most. And of course, hard hitting drums
Stuff by Lil Baby featuring Travis Scott
An almost buzzy like synth starts out. Simple and fills the space. When the verse starts we hear a more full string like synth take up space. Layered on top is vocals (travis) in a way that acts like a simple chord progression.
Vocals come in as a melody, so do other synths. Again in a supportive way and never try to be the main focal point.
Producer Challenge - Wheezy Edition
The 3 Element Beat
Try this: Create a beat using only three main elements: drums, full sounding synth, and a simple melody sprinkled in. Focus on texture, groove, and space.