Theory Question about chords in Drake - Marvin's Room, Houstatlantavegas and Karaoke.

[DJ HMV]

Marvins Room
YouTube - ‪Drake - Marvin's room (original voice) Take Care Album HQ‬‏

Houstatlantavegas
YouTube - ‪DRAKE- HOUSTATLANTAVEGAS‬‏

Karaoke
YouTube - ‪Drake-Karaoke with Lyrics‬‏


I know these questions get asked a lot but I still haven't read an answer that's satisfied my question.

I'll try my best to explain what I mean since it's kinda confusing to describe.

In Marvin's Room and Karaoke, what type of chords (or theory involved) give the effect like there is only one or two MAIN chords being played throughout the song? the chord changes don't seem so drastic like a BMaj to A#m (Inverted - F, A#, C#) even though there's more than 2 different chords played in all of his beats.

The common answer is that "40 uses Major 7 chords" but that doesn't really seem like the case to get that melodic effect I'm looking for. Or does a lot rely on a synth/lead to "carry" the chords?

Does anyone have an idea of the chords played in the 3 songs linked above so I could see what type of chords and progressions work to to get that sound? Yes, I know 40 filters and uses pads a lot, but I'm looking more from a melodic standpoint.

 

[bandcoach]

Marvins Room

Chords are Dminor-G-Aminor-C

i.e. ii-V-vi-I - an extended ii-V-I progression (the vi is a reasonable substitute for I in the major)

It could have stayed as ii-V-vi-vi with no issues, then being interpreted as:

iv-bVII-i-i

Voice leading (movement) is

A-B-C-C-A-
F-G-A-G-F-etc...
D-D-E-E-D-
​

[mp3]http://www.bandcoach.org/fp/audio/marvinA.mp3[/mp3]

[mp3]http://www.bandcoach.org/fp/audio/marvinB.mp3[/mp3]

Houstatlantavegas

Chords are Bmaj7-Emaj7-Bmaj7-Emaj7-etc

I7-IV7 in the key of B major (these 7th chords are naturally major 7th chords in B major)

Voice leading is:

A#-G#
F#-D#
B -B
D#-E
​

[mp3]http://www.bandcoach.org/fp/audio/HAV.mp3[/mp3]

Thank Me later

Chords are:

Cmaj7-Dm7-G7-Am7-Em7-Dm7-G-C

I7-ii7-V7-vi7-ii7-ii7-V-I

Voice leading is

G-A-B-C-B-A-B-C
E-F-F-G-G-F-G-G
B-C-D-E-D-C-D-E
C-D-G-A-E-D-G-C
​

[mp3]http://www.bandcoach.org/fp/audio/karaoke.mp3[/mp3]

All three: Use diatonic chord progressions, that is, they are only using chords found in the key!