On this site, I tend to focus a lot on the production and beats. The reason why is because I believe that the actual music is much more important than the lyrical content. It's called music, not words. In this day and age, the production has become the forefront of hip-hop. More artists are praised for their ear for beats and delivery than their lyrical content. Thanks to evolving technology, it's getting much easier for artists to have an ear for beats. Thanks to tags such as "If Young Metro don't trust you I'm gon shoot you," "OH MY GOD RONNY," and "Yo, Pi'erre, you wanna come out here" producers are getting more recognizable. And yet, they still don't get the respect and payment they deserve. This is a series where I tell you about my favorite (and least favorite) beats from various producers, starting with the biggest producer right now: Metro Boomin.
Leland Tyler Wayne, better known as Metro Boomin, is an Atlanta-based producer who came onto the scene out of nowhere. His sound is very recognizable. If you hear dark, moody, sometimes atmospheric trap beats, you know it's a Metro Boomin beat. He's grinded so hard to get to where he is today. His production meshes so well with rappers going for a darker vibe, like Future or 21 Savage. In the past few years, he's released collaborative projects with 21 Savage, Gucci Mane, NAV, Offset from Migos, and Big Sean. In 2018, he's been pretty quiet as he hasn't gained any chart success and is currently "retired" (something you should take with a grain of salt in the hip-hop community). These are my favorite (and least favorite) songs with his production.
Least Favorite Beat
Lil Uzi Vert - X
I don't really like his work with Pi'erre Bourne. There isn't much, but I can remember 2 underwhelming collaborations between these two: This song and "Minute" by NAV, which was saved by a catchy hook and a couple great guest features. Back in 2017, Pi'erre Bourne had gained success from Playboi Carti's "Magnolia." That song had a nice beat but the problem was that almost every other Pi'erre beat during that time sounded almost EXACTLY like that song. I consider Luv Is Rage 2 to be one of my favorite albums in recent memory, but this was my least favorite song. We got Pi'erre Bourne and Metro Boomin providing another dark "Magnolia", which would sound kind of enjoyable if we didn't get that a month ago with "Minute." There were very few times I've listened to Metro Boomin production and thought, "this sucks," and this was one of those times.
Favorite Beats
I'm not ranking these in any order, but these are a few songs that stuck out to me.
Future - Mask Off
From: FUTURE
Release Date: February 17, 2017
You can thank Metro Boomin for causing a boom (lol) in woodwind infused trap beats. Last year, this song was HUGE. Everyone and their mother was singing about Molly and Percocets without a care in the world. I wish I could erase my memory of this song so I could play it for the first time again. When I first heard those flutes, I got goosebumps. Future and Metro Boomin always mesh well together, but this song is something special.
Offset - Ric Flair Drip
From: Without Warning
Release Date: October 31, 2017
Man last Halloween was awesome. I didn't go out trick or treating or to any parties that night, but I will always remember Halloween 2017 because of this album. Without Warning was appropriately titled because it dropped without any mention whatsoever. The album was a collaboration between 21 Savage and Offset, but the best songs on here was a solo effort from Offset. If Offset is your favorite member of Migos and you have trouble defending him, just play this song. Metro Boomin brought out the best in Offset as he flows effortlessly over these soft synths.
21 Savage - No Heart
From: Savage Mode
Release Date: July 15, 2016
I used to dislike 21 Savage. I didn't like his monotone flow and thought his earlier mixtapes were such a drag to listen to. I thought his ad-libs were funny, but there wasn't much else to enjoy about his music. After the 2016 XXL Freshman List, 21 Savage gained a ton of success thanks to this album. Metro Boomin singlehandedly made me change my mind about 21 Savage thanks to Savage Mode. Metro brought out the best of 21 Savage with this album. If someone were to ask you, "what does 21 Savage sound like?" you need to play them this song. This is where Savage's cold, heartless delivery shines. Metro's beat fits Savage perfectly because it's so dark and sinister.
Drake x Future - Digital Dash
From: What a Time to Be Alive
Release Date: September 20, 2015
What a Time to Be Alive is an amazing album. This project was the reason why I got into Future in the first place and why he's one of my favorite artists today. Even as a huge Drake fan, I can honestly say that Future made this project as great as it is. Anyway, this album started with a banger right out the gate. Future's drugged-out autotuned vocals ride these loud, abrasive synths so well and Drake surprisingly killed this beat too. Honestly, this song is way better than "Jumpman," even though I love that one and think it's pretty catchy.
Future feat. Drake - Where Ya At
From: DS2
Release Date: July 17, 2015
After listening to What a Time to Be Alive, I listened to DS2. I had already heard this song before and was aware of how great Future and Drake's chemistry was but I never heard the album in full. DS2 is a modern-day trap classic. That album shows off some of Metro Boomin's best production ever, especially on this song. The plucky strings that start off this song sound amazing and Future rides this beat so well.
Gucci Mane feat. Offset - Met Gala
From: DropTopWop
Release Date: May 26, 2017
DropTopWop, in my opinion, is Gucci Mane's best post-prison project, and one of the reasons why is Metro Boomin's production. This song is what made Offset a hot feature in the Migos lineage. The track opens with what sounds like ringing church bells. The moment after you hear "If Young Metro don't trust you, I'm gon shoot you," you know that shit is about to go down as Offset comes right out the gate with hard-hitting fast-paced flows.
I have many more beats that I love but I don't have the time to give them full descriptions so here's a few more delivered gauntlet style:
Migos feat. Lil Uzi Vert - Bad & Boujee
From: Culture
Release Date: August 27, 2016
This beat is just wild. I've like Migos before this song's existence, but thanks to Metro Boomin, I'm a fan.
Kanye West feat. Kid Cudi - Father Stretch My Hands Part 1
From: The Life of Pablo
Release Date: February 14, 2016
I know Metro's only contribution was the drums, but this song is by far the best use of his tag.
Big Sean feat. Travis Scott - Go Legend
From: Double or Nothing
Release Date: December 8, 2017
Double or Nothing was nothing to write home about, but the opening track is amazing. I love the Diana Ross sample so much.
Travis Scott feat. Young Thug - Skyfall
From: Days Before Rodeo
Release Date: August 18, 2014
Metro Boomin produced a good part of Travis Scott's earlier work and this is probably the best song they've made together. It's one of the best examples of Trav's moody sound that makes him unique. The best song on DBR is a 3-way tie between this one, "Drugs You Should Try It," and "Don't Play."
I'll be doing more of these posts with other producers weekly. My next Best Beats post will be for my favorite Ronny J beats.
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