The secret to fusing styles: 7 tips to fuse any genre

Music production has always been, in my view, the way music has evolved throughout history, a way where genres can intertwine and create something new, something that pushes the boundaries of what is known. The art of fusing genres is as much a science as it is an instinct, and getting it right requires a delicate and precise balance. 

Whether you're a producer looking to put an unexpected twist on your music, or a songwriter who wants to experiment with new textures and new elements, understanding how to blend genres can open doors to a truly unique sound. Here are seven fundamental tips to master how to blend any genre of music and make your productions sound like you wouldn't otherwise achieve.

1. Know the basics of each genre

Before attempting to merge genres, it is vital that you know the basics of each genre. This involves more than just listening to music: you must have a critical ear, identify its fundamental aspects, immerse yourself in the history and evolution of each style. What defines reggaeton? What makes jazz sound different from lo-fi? Each genre has elements that make it recognizable, elements such as rhythmic patterns, instrumentation and characteristic chord progressions. Understanding this allows you to identify which elements are essential for the genre to remain recognizable, even when you mix it with another style.

Example: When mixing Trap with Soul, the soul character might be in the vocals and chords, while trap is dominated by drums and 808 bass. Knowing the root of each style will allow you to extract what works and avoid losing the essence of both.

2. Identify the point of connection between genres.

When you merge genres, you need to find points of connection. Maybe they share a similar rhythm or tone, or maybe there is a sonic texture that unites them. These connection points are what will allow you to blend styles without sounding forced.

Example: When fusing Afrobeats with House, both genres have repetitive and energetic rhythmic patterns that lend themselves well to the dance floor. You can base the fusion on those patterns, using the percussive elements of Afrobeats and the synth layers of house to create a track that flows naturally.

One of the most powerful secrets is to keep at least one key element of each genre and play with the others. In other words, everything doesn't need to be a straight 50/50 mix. The beauty of fusion is in the subtle interplay of sounds.

3. Transitions: the key to a smooth merge

Transitions play a crucial role when you merge genres. Songs that jump from one genre to another carelessly can feel fragmented, cluttered, or lacking in meaning or aesthetics. To avoid this, you can use techniques that smooth the transition between styles, something that actually connects the two in a more natural way. This is where sound design and automations can work magic.

• Add elements little by little: When you are working on a specific genre and you want to look for a transition, try adding certain elements little by little, you can see it as a kind of spoiler for the listener of what is coming next.

For example, if you are working on a Techno track and you want to merge it with Drum and bass, try adding breakbeats with a volume or filter automation, where the climax of this is the point where your techno track becomes Dnb.

• Filter automation or other effects: Experiment with whatever effects come to mind, saturations, time effects, modulation or even filters. If you're merging Trap with EDM, you can use a high-pass filter automation on the trap section, slowly reducing the low frequencies before the EDM drop comes in.

• Crossfades: Like DJs, you can use crossfades to combine two genres. If you have a reggaeton section that transitions to dubstep, gradually increase the volume and intensity of the dubstep while reducing the reggaeton. This creates a sense of development and anticipation rather than an abrupt change. Be careful with aspects such as the key and tempo of the tracks you want to mix, the most important thing is that it sounds good and not something forced.

• Sound Effects and mutes: Sound effects like risers or reverse reverbs are one of the most classic and functional options to make transitions, try short or long risers depending on your track, also play with filter automations or panning on these risers to make it more interesting. Other elements like Tape Stop or even silences and fragmented cuts also work.

4. Shared rhythm and groove

A shared rhythm or common groove is the perfect bridge to merge genres. Many musical styles have more in common than meets the eye, especially when it comes to rhythmic patterns. By identifying a rhythm or rhythmic progression that works in both genres, you can build your fusion on a solid foundation.

Example: When fusing Cumbia with Electronic Music, you can take the percussive groove of cumbia and then combine it with the drum machines, bass lines and synthesizers of electronica. The shared groove helps maintain coherence, even when melodic or harmonic elements are mixed. Remember, you don't have to have the same amount of elements from one genre and the other, you can have a mostly hip hop track and just have a shimmering flamenco guitar to create a coherent and pleasing fusion.

5. Sound layering: merging the organic with the digital

An effective technique for merging genres is to use sound layers that combine the organic with the digital. You can take a characteristic element of a more traditional genre and combine it with a modern sound design. This not only creates an interesting texture, but also gives a sense of depth and evolution to your track.

Example: In the fusion of Rock with Hip Hop, you can use distorted electric guitars as an additional layer on top of programmed beats and rap vocals. This not only gives it a raw and direct energy, but also mixes acoustic with digital in a dynamic way. “Numb/Encore” by Linkin Park and Jay-Z, is an example where aggressive rock guitars are fused with rap beats and verses.

6. Creative sampling: a powerful tool

The use of samples is one of the most effective tools for merging genres. You can take iconic samples from one genre and apply them in the context of another. This can be especially useful when you're looking to merge genres that don't seem to have much in common.

Example: Artists like Kanye West have used samples of Soul or Jazz Music and completely transformed them into a hip hop context. The sample, altered or not, acts as the glue that binds the two sound worlds together.

When combining genres, consider also using audio manipulation techniques to adjust the sample to your new creation. Time-stretching, pitch-shifting and modulation effects can transform a sample to the point where it sounds like it was created specifically for fusion.

7. Collaborations and references

Sometimes fusing genres requires collaborating with other musicians or producers who have more experience in the styles you want to include in your tracks. It is also useful to look for inspiration from artists who have already experimented with these approaches and start creating based on that, this will help you understand and master how the big producers do these fusions.

Artists like Bad Bunny have mixed genres such as reggaeton, trap, alternative rock, electronic music, even bossa nova and merengue, creating a fresh and new sound and giving that characteristic touch to their style. Listening to how other artists achieve this fusion can give you an idea of how to structure and produce your music, Rosalia fusing Flamenco and trap or Daft funk with disco, funk and electronica, are some examples of these successful fusions.

Finally, it is always useful to receive feedback from those who master the genres you are exploring. Involving new ideas and concepts may be what helps you perfect that unexpected fusion, elevating your production to another creative level.

Conclusion: Fusing genres is a sonic journey.

Genre fusion is not simply a mixing of styles, it is a conversation between different musical traditions, a play of contrasts and similarities. When you get it right, you not only create a new category, but you also offer something unique to the listener, a sonic journey that takes them through familiar and also unfamiliar territories.

There are many genres and styles around the world, some that are better understood and merging them is a little easier compared to others, however, the key is to be brave, to experiment, to not be afraid to break the rules. In the end, genres are nothing more than labels, and you as a producer have the freedom to combine them, break them and reimagine them. You may not feel comfortable at first, or you may not be happy with the result, but the more you try, the more you will get to the sound you are looking for when fusing genres.

About the author

Odiseo is a music producer and mixing and mastering engineer with experience ranging from music creation as a session and concert musician, beatmaker, live sound engineer, and recording engineer, to audio production for short films, providing a broad perspective on technical concepts and musical skills to take music to another level.