Top 4 Chord Progressions to Make Soulful Beats from Scratch

You know that vibe when it's late at night, you're cruising down the highway, and "Do Not Disturb" by Drake comes on?

“Do Not Disturb” is the closing track on Drake’s album More Life, produced by Boi-1da and others, featuring a sample from Snoh Aalegra’s R&B/soul song “Time.”

Those tender e-piano chords and soulful vocals feel like they were meant to be sampled, layered with hard-hitting trap drums, and spiced up with Drake's gritty lyrics.

In this article, we will break down the top 4 chord progressions to make original soul samples from scratch so you can produce your own soulful trap beats.

Let’s get started.

1. The Classic ii-V-I Progression

A staple in jazz and soul music, the ii-V-I chord progression is known for its smooth flow and sense of resolution, making it perfect for soulful beats.

In the key of C major, it plays like this:

Dm - G - C

To make it catchier, try adding a few passing chords:

Dm - G - C - F - Am

Then, extend your harmony with the seventh chords to give it more character:

Dm7 - G7 - C - Fmaj7 - Am7

This chord sequence creates a lush, emotional backdrop that is ideal for soulful melodies.

Now, layer your chord progression with other instruments like live strings, organs, or vocals.

Can you hear Drake rapping over it? Awesome, let's move on to the second chord progression.

2. The iii–IV–IV–vi Progression

The iii–IV–IV–vi chord progression is effective for creating a rich, soulful sound with a blend of major and minor harmonies.

It's particularly suitable for R&B, soul, and hip-hop genres.

You can recognize this chord progression playing in a song "Devil In A New Dress" by an iconic rapper-producer Kanye West.

In the key of B major, it plays the following sequence of chords:

D♯m - Emaj7 - E - G♯m

Ye often layered similar lush piano chords with vocal samples to produce his old songs.

3. The i–v–VII–V Progression (The Heartfelt Groove)

Popular in both classic soul and modern R&B, this is a timeless chord progression.

Am - Em - G - E (played in A minor key)

This chord sequence is perfect for creating beats that feel laid-back and nostalgic while remaining fresh and modern.

“Emotionless” by Drake is a great example of how this chord progression can be used to create a soulful, reflective vibe.

The combination of the classic soul chord progression and vocals creates a powerful emotional atmosphere, typical of Drake’s style.

4. The i-IV-i-VI Progression (Modern Soul Flavor)

A favorite in both pop and hip-hop, this progression brings a contemporary feel while staying rooted in soulful tradition. It's all about creating that warm, uplifting sound that you can hear in J. Cole's song "Love Yourz":

Written in the key of C minor, it plays the following chord sequence:

Cm7 - Bb - Cm - Abmaj7 and then it switches to Cm7 - Bb - Eb - Abmaj7

This progression perfectly nails that soulful vibe that was needed for J. Cole to convey the message of the song: to appreciate what you have now and love your life as is.

Bringing It All Together

Remember, the magic of soulful music lies in the emotion. So don't be afraid to experiment with different voicings, extensions, and rhythms to make these progressions your own.

And if you're struggling to come up with unique soulful chord progressions, try using ChordChord to generate and modify these chords quickly, then bring them into your DAW to complete the beat.

Good luck!