Saved by the Ball

Hip-hop soul with a mid-tempo swung groove, dusty boom-bap drums, warm electric piano, and a walking bass line; verse one is sparse and close-mic with just kick, snare, and chopped vinyl textures, pre-chorus opens with stacked harmonies and filtered pads, chorus hits with full drums, gang vocal repeats, and a short horn answer. Use intimate doubles in verses, wider ad-libs on the hook, delay throws on the word "saved." Add a reverse swell into each chorus and a tape stop before the bridge. Mix is warm, punchy, and cinematic.