The Fastest Way to Dark 808 Mafia Melodies

In this video, I show how Southside really starts dark 808 Mafia melodies, using a workflow that is simple, pure, and extremely effective.

This is an 18-minute cookup, focused on one core philosophy that most producers ignore today:

👉 Less is more.

808 Mafia melodies don’t start with complex theory, endless layers, or dozens of plugins. They start with very few sounds, simple note choices, and a clear dark emotion. That’s it.

In this video, you’ll see:

How to start a dark melody from almost nothing

Why using fewer plugins gives you better results

How simple melodies actually hit harder and darker

Why overloading your channel with plugins kills creativity

How 808 Mafia keeps melodies simple so everything fits later in the mix

This is how they work for real.
The producer focuses on the idea, the vibe, and the space. Engineers later make everything sit perfectly. That’s why these melodies feel so clean, dark, and powerful.

You don’t need:

20 plugins

Complex music theory

Crazy sound design

You need clarity, intent, and restraint.

This video is not about fancy tricks. It’s about understanding the mindset behind Southside’s approach and why simple melodies leave room for drums, 808s, and vocals to breathe.

If you feel stuck, overwhelmed, or tired of overcomplicating melodies, this video will completely change how you think about beat-making.

📸 Follow me on Instagram for more real workflow content:
👉   / nickjoeee  

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This channel is about how beats are actually made, not fake tutorials.