Who can’t Metro Boomin produce for? The Atlanta beatsmith is carving out quite the career for himself, one defined by volume and versatility. After assisting Future's takeover of the rap game these last few years, he's found himself in the company of Kanye West and is on his way to becoming the next Alchemist or Pharrell—a veteran producer who works with a variety of artists, young or old, shaping their sound at crucial moments in their careers.
His latest project is Savage Mode, with Atlanta rapper 21 Savage. After running through the nine-track tape several times, I’m convinced Metro could make a beat for whoever he damn well pleases. The beats Metro constructed for his fellow ATLien are some of the best production this year, especially on stand-out songs like “Bad Guy” and “Ocean Drive."
Who can’t Metro Boomin produce for? The Atlanta beatsmith is carving out quite the career for himself, one defined by volume and versatility. After assisting Future's takeover of the rap game these last few years, he's found himself in the company of Kanye West and is on his way to becoming the next Alchemist or Pharrell—a veteran producer who works with a variety of artists, young or old, shaping their sound at crucial moments in their careers.
His latest project is Savage Mode, with Atlanta rapper 21 Savage. After running through the nine-track tape several times, I’m convinced Metro could make a beat for whoever he damn well pleases. The beats Metro constructed for his fellow ATLien are some of the best production this year, especially on stand-out songs like “Bad Guy” and “Ocean Drive."
Both are distinct. "Bad Guy" sounds like a blood-soaked, paranoia-tinged murder mystery, and "Ocean Drive" sounds it could've appeared on the Mulholland Dr. soundtrack.
Metro has palpable chemistry with 21 Savage, as he does with with Future and Young Thug. Here are five other artists he could make magic with if they linked up for an entire project.
Pusha T
Coke-capades prefaced by Future’s “If young Metro don’t trust” drop will melt any rap lover's brain and send the listener into blow-induced convulsions. Push has worked closely with the Neptunes and Kanye, so it's not like he's ever lacked for great beats, but his dark lyrics would blend beautifully with Metro's spare, dystopian soundscapes. Imagine Blade Runner meets Paid In Full. The streets needed this tape yesterday. Someone get Kanye on the phone, please. Listen to "Lunch Money" for reference.
Fetty Wap
If Metro can make classics with Thugger, he can do the same with Fetty “Hitman” Wap. Both Thug and Fetty use their voices like musical instruments, stretching and molding their vocals in unpredictable ways to melt into any beat they hop on. Fetty knows how to make monster hits—together he and Metro could craft a hip-hop Thriller. Since having one of the best first runs by any new artist in recent history, Fetty has had trouble elevating his game this year (though his tape with PnB Rock is a step in the direction). Metro would truly take him there.
Lil Wayne
Metro could resurrect Wayne’s career, I’m willing to money on it. Wayne has been inconsistent—to say the least—these last several years, but has recently shown flashes of brilliance on features with Tyler, the Creator and Chance the Rapper. He needs the energy (and song direction) of a young artist to re-ignite the OG's flame. A unified vision from a single producer would be a change of pace for Wayne. He needs a shot to the arm in the worst way, and Boomin should be the one to deliver it.
Gucci Mane
It's not like Gucci and Metro have never made a tape together before—see 2013’s Molly (World War 3)—and Gucci was featured prominently on Metro’s 19 & Boomin, but the 22-year-old producer has grown so much since that 2013 output. He’s picked up tricks from some of the best beatmakers in the game and has established himself as the go-to trap producer. Metro rarely uses samples and who better to make original music with than with the Trap God himself? Gucci is an American original with sons and seeds sown throughout today’s scene and Metro is following his footsteps as more and more producers attempt to bite his style. With Gucci home and hungry, this tape is the one on this list that stands the best chance of happening.
Skepta
If you’re familiar with the U.K. rapper’s production skills, then this wish shouldn’t surprise you. Skepta and Metro have shown each other love and respect on Twitter, which previously gave fans hope of some type of collab—but nothing yet. Skepta's style on the boards is reminiscent of of El-P's, as is Metro's. All three make music from the future that's hard to put into words. A Skepta x Metro tape would be like an acid trip in the middle of a battlefield, marked by Southern pacing and grime slang. Mans dem on di road is ready, you get me?