808 Mafia Piccolo Nexus -
If you own , look through the Classical or Woodwind stock categories for "Piccolo" or "Flute" presets. If you do not own Nexus, you can easily replicate this using stock samplers or alternative VSTs (like Xfer Serum, Arturia Mellotron, or Arcade) by selecting a basic flute sample and pitching it up 1 to 2 octaves. 2. Writing the Melody
The influence of the 808 Mafia Piccolo and the group's sonic DNA is undeniable. The "type beat" economy—YouTube channels dedicated to beats titled "Future Type Beat" or "Southside 808 Mafia Type Beat" —is largely built on the foundation laid by these sounds. Aspiring producers continue to use Nexus presets, including the "Piccolo," to craft instrumentals for emerging artists, hoping to capture the same magic.
While the collective used a variety of flutes and woodwinds across their catalog, the high-pitched Nexus Piccolo and its stylistic variants can be heard across hundreds of mixtapes from the 2012–2016 era. It laid the groundwork for tracks like Future’s 56 Nights era bangers, Young Thug's Slime Season tracks, and various underground trap anthems that utilized high-register woodwind leads to build suspense before the beat dropped. How to Recreate the 808 Mafia Piccolo Vibe
Unlike standard trap (Kick, Snare, Hats), the Piccolo Nexus demands a call-and-response rhythm. 808 mafia piccolo nexus
To make room for their massive low-end 808s, producers shaved off any low or mid frequencies from the Piccolo, leaving only the sharp, icy high-end frequencies to dance over the top of the mix. Impact and Legacy
808 Mafia is a group of music producers and musicians who have been active in the industry since the early 2010s. The collective was formed by producers like Yung Bans, Z Da Zman, and A Love Riot, who shared a common vision of creating a new kind of sound that blended elements of hip-hop, trap, and electronic music. Over the years, 808 Mafia has grown to include several other talented producers and musicians, all of whom share a passion for innovation and creativity.
Designed to be layered with bells, pads, and hard-hitting drums. 🛠️ How to Use It in Your Beats If you own , look through the Classical
The "Classic Studio Flute" or various ethnic woodwinds can be processed to sound identical.
As Southside once tweeted (now deleted): "If you can't feel the nexus in your chest, delete the track."
Many younger producers are confused by the term "Nexus" in this context, assuming it refers to reFX Nexus (the rompler). It does not. However, there is an ironic crossover. In 2012-2014, 808 Mafia heavily used Nexus expansion packs (specifically "Dance Drums" and "Hollywood") for their synth leads and arps. Writing the Melody The influence of the 808
Owning the sound isn't enough. You must program it like 808 Mafia.
Southside (of 808 Mafia) is widely credited with popularizing this specific texture. In tracks like "I Got the Keys" (DJ Khaled ft. Jay-Z & Future) and "T-Shirt" (Migos), Southside utilized a high-pitched, detuned lead synth that sounded like a futuristic piccolo or a high-pitched organ.