Chanté Marie on Melody, Emotion, and Building the Perfect RnB Sample
London-born singer-songwriter Chanté Marie has carved a unique niche in the music industry with her soulful RnB sound and captivating vocal samples, which have found their place in some of the year's biggest Trap, Rap, and RnB records. With influences ranging from 90s RnB to contemporary Hip-Hop, her artistry combines smooth melodies with emotive vocals and storytelling. From her Caribbean roots to a BMI London Award for songwriting, Chanté’s journey is one of passion, creativity, and connection.
Splice: Where did your love of music first begin?
Chanté Marie: I’ve loved music for as long as I can remember and it probably all started with my parents. With my mum and dad being from the Caribbean we listened to a lot of Reggae, Dancehall, and Lovers rock growing up. They also loved Motown, Soul, RnB, and Hip-Hop, so I was exposed to a rich variety of music.
Splice: Who has inspired your signature sound over the years?
Chanté Marie: Singers and writers like Alicia Keys, Toni Braxton, Ashanti, Aaliyah, Brandy, Mariah Carey, and Whitney Houston were huge inspirations for me. I always loved listening to 90s and 2000s RnB - it’s partly what made me fall in love with songwriting and creating melodies. I also love drawing inspiration from contemporary RnB and Hip-Hop artists like Jhené Aiko, SZA, Summer Walker, Drake, and Bryson Tiller to name a few.
Splice: How did you first get into the craft of vocal sampling?
Chanté Marie: I spent lockdown experimenting with music and exploring different ways to get my voice out there. I ended up connecting with a really lovely contact at Splice and creating my first pack. I instantly felt excited about the work and it’s been an incredible journey so far. Seeing where the vocals and sounds can end up is exciting and continues to inspire me.
Splice: In 2024 you won a BMI London Award for Lil Tjay’s 'Beat the Odds,' one of the most performed songs of the year, congrats! What is your creative approach when crafting vocal samples that resonate so deeply with producers and listeners?
Chanté Marie: Thank you so much. I would say I mainly focus on creating hooks and memorable melodies whilst also tapping into a certain emotion of how I want it to feel and sound. Sometimes it’s a hook I want to create, other times it can just be a catchy riff. Songs like ‘Nice For What’ by Drake, which samples Lauryn Hill’s bridge from ‘Ex-Factor’ or ‘Otis’ by Jay Z and Kanye, which samples a riff and phrases by Otis Redding, are two examples of how a small piece of a song can be turned into a catchy sample.
Splice: We were thrilled to hear that a vocal sample of yours from The Baddest - RnB Flips was part of Drake and Camila Cabello’s summer hit ‘HOT UPTOWN’, an incredible moment! How do you keep your creativity flowing and create fresh toplines that stand out in today’s music landscape?
Chanté Marie: Yes, an absolute blessing, and so great to have worked on that pack with the incredible team at 91Vocals! I like to draw inspiration from life and all the different music I hear. I’m always listening to something whether it’s music with words, Evening Jazz or Frequency music. All of these evoke certain emotions and carry different moods that I can tap into and create from, which I enjoy. I also love collaborating with other creators who sometimes describe what vibe they want me to create. Having direction can sometimes help narrow my focus in a good way and get me into a specific zone of creation.
Splice: Big question - how do you build the perfect RnB sample?
Chanté Marie: For me, it’s all about melody, and I’m also starting to appreciate the use of space more too. Letting the music breathe in between lines can create room for more voices to be added (like an additional artist’s topline), and can open up more opportunities for collaboration. Some samples may also be used as toplines themselves. Ultimately, I aim to create something catchy and memorable that makes people feel something when they hear it.
Click the link below to check out the Chanté Marie - RnB Vocals pack today and be sure to follow her on Instagram