By Jamillah Majid | 25th Jun 2023 | “Heroes & Villains”
Metro Boomin, the visionary hip-hop producer, has once again delivered an auditory masterpiece with his 2nd album, ‘Heroes and Villans’. Bursting with sonic innovation and an intriguing thematic twist, the album takes listeners on a riveting journey through the unexplored depths of Metro Boomin’s creative prowess.
Metro Boomin is a name that has become synonymous with hip-hop and trap music. The producer from Missouri has earned his stripes in the industry with collaborations with some of the biggest names in the game, including Drake, Future, and Travis Scott, to name a few. Metro’s 2nd studio album, Heroes and Villains, is a testament to why he is considered on of the best producers in the business. The album serves as the sequel to Metro’s previous album, Not All Heroes Wear Capes released in 2018.
On November 17, 2021, Metro Boomin announced the tiltle of his upcoming album in a letter with DJ Holiday. The album was set to be released on November, 4, 2022, however, it was pushed back by four weeks due to sample cleareance issues. The album’s cover art is inspired by Pink Floyd’s Wish You Were Here album, and it has two sides, the “Hero” and the “Villain side. A short film was released for the album, starring Young Thug, and Lakeith Stanfield. The tracklist was revealed gradually, with fans searching for tweeting the names of the tracks and their featured artists on Metro’s website.
One of the standout elements of the album is the inclusion of Morgan Freeman’s narration, which lends an air of gravitas and cinematic quality to the tracks. Freeman’s voice adds depth and meaning to the lyrics and helps to establish a clear thematic structure that runs throughout the record. Through his narration, Freeman creates a sense of mythology around the album, elevating it beyond the realms of ordinary rap music.
The album opens with the track “On Time,” which starts with John Legend’s melodic voice before transforming into a sample of Homelander from The Boys. The inclusion of Homelander’s infamous speech challenging the notion of heroism, adds a captivating dimension to the album. The song sets the tone for the rest of the album.
One standout track on the album is “Raindrops” featuring Travis Scott. The haunting melody and heavy bass create and eerie atmosphere that perfectly compliments Travis Scott’s signature auto-tuned vocals. The track is a reminder of why Metro Boomin and Travis Scott have become such a formidable duo in the rap industry. Another standout is “Trance” featuring Young Thug and Travis Scott. Metro’s production incorporates spacey synths and the trio’s harmonies create a hypnotic effect.
One standout track on the album is “Raindrops” featuring Travis Scott. The haunting melody and heavy bass create and eerie atmosphere that perfectly compliments Travis Scott’s signature auto-tuned vocals. The track is a reminder of why Metro Boomin and Travis Scott have become such a formidable duo in the rap industry. Another standout is “Trance” featuring Young Thug and Travis Scott. Metro’s production incorporates spacey synths and the trio’s harmonies create a hypnotic effect.
Another noteworthy track is “Walk Em Down (Don’t Kill Civilians)” featuring 21 Savage and Mustafa. The dreamy melody and Mustafa’s soaring vocals make for a mesmerizing listening experience. 21 Savage verse adds a burst of energy to the track, making it a great pick-me-up anthem.
However, what makes Heroes and Villans more special is the fact that Metro Boomin dedicated the album to his late mother, who tragically passed early 2022. In a heartfelt Instagram post, he wrote, “I do this for Ms. Leslie”. It is clear that the passing of his mother had a profound impact on Metro Boomin and his music. The album is filled with songs that are both uplifting and somber, reflecting the complex emotions that come with losing a loved one.
However, what makes Heroes and Villans more special is the fact that Metro Boomin dedicated the album to his late mother, who tragically passed early 2022. In a heartfelt Instagram post, he wrote, “I do this for Ms. Leslie”. It is clear that the passing of his mother had a profound impact on Metro Boomin and his music. The album is filled with songs that are both uplifting and somber, reflecting the complex emotions that come with losing a loved one.
