The Making Of Drake's "The Motto" With T-Minus | Deconstructed

Drake’s 2011 song “The Motto” featuring Lil Wayne remains a fan favorite more than five years after it was first released. Beyond catapulting the phrase “YOLO” into the stratosphere, “The Motto” stands as one of the biggest hits from the OVO boss' sophomore album 'Take Care.' It’s produced by T-Minus, who also worked on the 'Take Care' songs “HYFR” and “Under Ground Kings,” and later linked up with Drake for the 'More Life' cuts “Blem” and “Sacrifices.”
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[@KyleBeats_]

An 808 and a bunch of claps made everyone start saying Yolo

[@Joela393]

Kyle Beats crazy

[@tezgotheat]

You’re comment is so important yet underrated 🤦🏾‍♂️😂💯

[@tezgotheat]

Ozzonated I almost got mad but then I realized how much I hate to see people screw that up so thank you 😭🙏🏾

[@jamaalaustin8813]

Lol. Basically

[@heatheryancey5375]

Kyle Beats i love yo beat my man

[@thedissilent2548]

People complaining about this being "late" like it matters. I wouldn't care if it was a deconstruction of how pete rock made The world is yours. It's the process that's fun to watch

[@blurelic4]

The D is silent EXACTLY

[@ramsesdanh4092]

I actually really wanna see Pete rock make the world is yours with the technology from then.

[@itumosebi9064]

💯

[@josephblanchard6248]

EXACTLY!!

[@prod.icemarisso]

@@ramsesdanh4092 I would love to see producers from that time deconstruct beats with software like mpc 3000s and asr 10s

[@Kampsy]

The beat can really carry an artist, but the beat will always need that someone to bring it alive too

[@mostunna]

Kampsy if a beat slaps hard enough it doesnt

[@Kampsy]

Young Mo I mean yeah it kinda does. You cant have someone all out of harmony and not in sync with the beat. Even with dudes like Carti, the Magnolia song is a dope ass beat and he isnt really doing anything crazy, but he's on the same frequency and wave as that beat. The artist still needs to be able to bring a beat to life.

[@maximusrusso8758]

You do know that music doesn’t need vocals lmao. It just depends on how dense the mix is, if you want someone to rap/sing you leave them space, if it’s just instrumental then you can fill it up.

[@rosebeats09]

For sure

[@Prodohue]

it's always the simple records that blow up. as a producer i've learned that sometimes less is more. Drake still the goat for making this simple beat into a crazy hit 🔥

[@RonaldMcGhee]

Prodohue I swear. I sit there like " I could've did that"

[@JPatternsIII]

Prodohue keys keys keys

[@ohhKilla]

+Tre McGhee but then you try to make one like it & can't lol

[@realone2445]

Prodohue lol

[@KaizerMan]

Word. Same formula a lot of Dr Dre tracks too. Forgot About Dre was just bass, violins, drums and the melody :P

[@tnersy]

Bro I'm so sick of people complaining about Genius posting videos of deconstructing old songs. The series isn't called "deconstructing new hits" The point is to deconstruct songs that are hits whether it was released last week or last millennium. That being said get Bach on one of these videos cuz his symphonies were fire.

[@theaddictofgaming9174]

Bach didn't write symphonies. Bach is older then the symphony. Crazy

[@381beatz4]

Shoulda made him show the process of Swimming Pools

[@iconicmiyaa6615]

Gh0st yesss

[@PSICK1234ikillallracistrolls]

That beat was so fucking hard.

[@rikyriky966]

Drake: "I want something uptempo and simple"

[@avreyo6645]

ariky Ariky and goes and makes a hit

[@mostunna]

Producer: lets make it 101 bpm

[@tobehonest116]

And boi did t minus deliver

[@sorawbeats]

Used to love this song lmao

[@CaminandoCoja]

SORAWBEATS still slaps

[@PapaSmurff660]

SORAWBEATS used to...

[@eduardolopez9444]

Boy, you better love it again. It’s fye

[@sorawbeats]

Kevin Rochel true

[@kamarwashington]

SORAWBEATS honestly

[@KBeaZy]

TB to middle school

[@SXPPLY]

W

[@DarkClouds-v8]

KBeaZy yerp

[@ramsesdanh4092]

Damn I was in college

[@BroncozBeats]

footworkin in the hallway😭😭

[@rocketlaflare]

W

[@Sehaj3]

What I've learned most from watching these videos: Simplicity is the key and the best beats take about 30 minutes to make.

[@quilluntouchableentity2034]

As soon as i heard the 808 i knew it was a hit. The snare was catchy, the clap complimented the snare so well. I wouldve never thought to put two open hats in a song but that was amazing too. That clap loop was wild af.

[@traxagenda3445]

I will go to the grave saying simple beats are some of the best beats in hip hop

[@mangoman2152]

I'm not a drake stan/fan at ALL, but I know Take Care is a classic album and forever will be ingrained in rap history

[@KingArthurBeats]

Please tell me y’all deconstructed swimming pools while y’all were there.

[@LizzMiriBaby]

Exactly!

[@swag4166]

yessss that beat smackkkk

[@ScarlettJ1221]

"Now she want a photo, you already know, though You only live once: that's the motto"

[@hussein6173]

ScarlettP yes, those are indeed the lyrics on the song.

[@MrMrifire]

been waiting for this since 2012 thanks

[@ijhdz4973]

This beat is so simple yet goes so hard. I remember the first time hearing this shit and playing it a good 20 times in a row.

[@TheOnlyKhyro]

Still didn't mention the bay area inspiration that's why he shot the video in the Bay !!!

[@fherieb]

Khyro Sound yup HBK sound

[@loonmanding8628]

so simple

[@Decavgamuct00]

@ABN Carloo And yet so effective. lol

[@andrewcabil8201]

Y'all don't know how much this songs brings me back to

[@iambradleyw]

When Drake was really Drake

[@nicholaschang942]

I'VE ALWAYS WANTED TO KNOW HOW THIS BEAT WAS PRODUCED!!! Thank you so much Genius!

[@GabbyGetSome]

Everyone saying this is late but Genius wasn't making these videos all this time. I'm glad they did this cuz that means they're probably gonna revisit more older songs and how they were made. So i'm stoked.

[@n-o-i-d]

It's interesting how easy it is to produce music in a DAW like FL Studio compared to how hard it is to write and maintain such software. The people that are behind the software itself, the people that empower the producers with DAWs and plug ins never seem to get any props or attention. I've been on both sides of the fence.

[@TheFizzleFlame]

can't believe an 808, some snares, couple of open hats and claps could become such a HUGE hit!

[@sxnses]

This old as fuck, what's next? "The making of Symphonie no. 9 with Beethoven deconstructed" ?

[@confiance1492]

Demar DeLowry dont you wanna see how kanye produced dark fantasy? This shit old too but a classic. Appreciate it god damn it

[@genius]

we're trying to book him

[@rrgert4]

@genius SAVAGE

[@Dippto]

Hahahahaha

[@skaterboi65]

Demar DeLowry LMMAOO

[@shemmy7302]

Bruh this song was fire back in the day. It still bumps 🔥🔥🔥i was waiting patiently for a new Deconstructed video to drop. This is the best series on KZbin.

[@StockiestLeech2]

yeah yeah

[@longlivebarry2295]

Yeah I gotta go listen to this track again after this video

[@psychochizzi4218]

Would like to see him deconstruct "I'm on one " that song made my high school

[@beatsbykana]

I love when they go back to old beats too. Best series on this channel imo

[@beatsbyallend1673]

this song is so many years old

[@unclesam530]

+BeatsByAllenD so r u

[@superbaggy1495]

o shit u just roasted him

[@brightstars5786]

We'll see you in 2033

[@superbaggy1495]

Bright stars no u

[@jessecuevas6456]

Hyphy music had passed by time the motto came out. & The first thing I thought of when I first heard DJ Mustard was that he had a lot bay sound.

[@jeromethomas8857]

Genius in simplicity

[@kevinjeremiahmusic]

Great session. T-minus you stay killing it!

[@Jazzfeezy]

Much love to T & Genius for the shout out!

[@quakebeatz]

“When the motto came out, hyphy music was on the rise. I think the motto really helped gear all that music to rise as well” My guy “Tell Me When To Go” by E-40 & Keak Da Sneak came out February 1, 2006 (when the hyphy movment was at it's peak) The Motto came out pushing 6 years later. The world really got the bay fucked up. I’m hot. People keep stealing our shit and putting us on the bench like we ain't create it.

[@cantguard26]

This deconstruction is very long overdue. Straight classic 🔥🔥

[@rvlreveal]

Genius should do full length album breakdowns

[@josyahl9916]

Been waiting for this

[@SanJose408Alex]

The Bay needs to be a major hitter in the game I know ppl here got potential to dominate the charts. Bay Area and Bay influences sounds took over early 10’s. The south really outshining everyone right now. Fun fact, Zaytoven from the Bay

[@zay8509]

the 808s always went HARD

[@owenkunene1772]

that Bill Gates beat always blew me away. Felt awesome to see T-Minus recognize the artistry there

[@buddahkz9980]

Ridiculously underrated track

[@JohnThomas-dw9mw]

@2:45….mentions the producer of TNLU. 😮

[@Luckbeats]

Why Is everyone saying that this video is a little late. The idea isn't just to deconstruct new popular songs it's to deconstruct timeless so that other producers can pick up the techniques and see how a piece was put together. Why does it matter how old the song is? If it was good it is good

[@alphonse8144]

loved this song omg bruh

[@krillinsindahouse1898]

Please deconstruct Swimming Pools and I'm On One T-Minus, those beats are still crazy

[@Savemelord7776]

yo tminus makes the biggest fucking slappers man i swear...this beat is hard as fucking nails and always has been

[@skaterboi65]

Finally getting Drake shit I was wondering. Favorite genius series.

[@nvl2254]

genius beat. way ahead of its time

[@macboogieland2897]

even when i didnt like drake back in the day, always loved this song because of the beat!

[@dbprod.7428]

all i got from this is: it does not matter what sounds you have, its how you use em. Dope!

[@haiderh042]

Those were the days bumpin' this and Rack City in the car after school 🔥.

[@dathunderman4]

This is one of the first songs to really use the filter effect aka "the mike will effect" before mike will. Also the 808s were much different back then

[@julioisnothere]

He definitely got it wrong when he said this song helped hyphy music rise up, it had already been up since Too $hort, E-40, etc. Also, rack city is not hyphy music.

[@yungdynamic471]

I dont care about the song being old like some of these other folks in the comment section are, but this one was real simple. Let's dive into the other best beats he made for drake that were actual amazing and seemingly complex

[@jmckenzie6454]

Forever a classic

[@Icycoldonthetrack]

this is old as shit now..but shows good music is timeless. This still sounds fresh..

[@dontoverthinkitdude]

We were waiting for this 🤤❤️

[@melsoro7311]

Deconstructed : Any Kanye beat

[@jeromethomas8857]

Genius

[@mAtHy0o]

Nigga dis is 6 years late

[@jeromebroseph3444]

Something uptempo and simple? Fuckin NAILED.

[@RunFromNone]

a whole vibe rn

[@RunFromNone]

I miss 2011 too

[@orbituary]

The simplest beats are the ones that blow up because hits are written, not produced. That beat alone is pretty decent but it's drake's delivery and lyrics and melody that made it poppin

[@ScarlettJ1221]

I see Drake, I click

[@Jo-zu5zx]

ScarlettP simple as..

[@don95ful]

Normie as shit

[@anuelbennyyy8820]

D Ravines ur so unique

[@stefanlal3060]

I loved this beat the first time i heard it. 🔥🔥🔥

[@bahamasforlive]

Now thats genius.. all time classic made in 30 minutes

[@cantguard26]

T Minus definitely one of the top producers in the game.

[@808maya8]

This studio so simple and after long time I saw this type cool thing ❤

[@rosebeats09]

Such a simple nice beat

[@djnotice6506]

T minus is dope but to correct him hyphy had been around way b4 motto came out

[@altervisi7748]

He said he was inspired by hyphy to make The Motto, so hes not wrong

[@cameronc6504]

A deconstructed video of Famous Dex 'Pick it Up' would be dope

[@texasbound7089]

timeless .

[@NathanSweeney]

Not heard this song in years, thank you 😍🔥

[@motivated942]

Used to replay the track continously...

[@nuur2966]

So simple but so great

[@itsvonszn]

I'd love to see moment 4 life or champion deconstructed. He's dope.

[@napoleansolo5849]

The 808 is the melody

[@wyatt.arbuthnot]

Is it just me that after watching all the deconstructed vids can hear the layers of songs when listening to music. Like I can hear the snares and stuff now more when I never could😂

[@boominscott9829]

YEARS LATER LMFAO THIS SONG A CLASSIC THO CANT LIE 🤷🏽‍♂️

[@imdrumusic]

Do a deconstructed on Witch doctor by hopsin!

[@tonyray1112]

If you or I made the same beat people would say its trash . Only drake could pull this off . It must be nice having relationships built with artists. Not taking anything away from T -minus of course.

[@jhardworkpaysoff474]

This producer made a banger

[@KRISTAMUSIC]

inspiring me once again. 🙏

[@brayke7647]

So simple. So different and good if you really think about it

[@tobehonest116]

Who else starting bumping/nodding their head when the claps came in

[@albertp9318]

Producers need more recognition!

[@antoniosaunders3614]

No melody that's crazy 💣💥💣💥💣

[@xM3NTALITYx]

I was hoping for Swimming Pools or She Will. Some of the best instrumentals ever made.

[@johnnyron9025]

This track still a club banger to this day

[@judson8441]

Do one with bighead on the beat.. like Gucci gang just cause it’s huge lol.. before y’all hate he makes hella fire beats for the underground he really boutta take over

[@Xkingluis23]

This song was an anthem back in 2012 🔥

[@markl5998]

I was more familiar with the Taylor gang GFU remix to this beat than the original song, but still this beat is a classic IMO good job genius

[@bambatacandt7921]

You guys shoud bring him back for Drake "Sacrifices"

[@240SX2pAc]

Ya need to make "goosebumps" deconstruction asap

[@aristejada2053]

You're a little late

[@DAYDREAMbeats]

Aris Tejada Fax 😆🦇👻

[@hii1661]

Aris Tejada It do not matter

[@ijhdz4973]

Aris Tejada better late than never.🤷🏽‍♂️

[@Deyniel]

Aris Tejada Na bruh. This typa videos well worth the wait. They didn’t do this back then.

[@ky-fd5uo]

Aris Tejada FR I THOUGHT THE SAME THING

[@michelinman6370]

One of the most iconic beats of all time

[@vivekpawar2867]

I love this beat .2012 though simple but unique

[@GoodxJ]

Simplicity wins.