By Rina Weaver
Heroes & Villains is more than just flashy special effects and well-known features. It is a comprehensive, ambitious album that balances world-building and streaming filler. Rappers on this list are either becoming older and fading from the public eye, like Future, changing into business personas, like Travis Scott, or, regrettably, are incarcerated (Young Thug & Gunna). Heroes & Villains appears to be a masterpiece of psychedelic trap music with star-studded singles, but it nearly feels like a victorious farewell from the most well-known rappers of the previous decade and their favorite producer.
Heroes & Villains, proves that Metro has higher goals than just making hit songs. On the 2018 Not All Heroes Wear Capes, a project in which his minimalist, somber rhythms grew richer, larger, and more complex, he first showed off his expansive vision. However, as he tried to deviate from his trademark sound, his narrow range became apparent: Metro is strong when creating beats that are in his comfort zone, but wobbly when venturing outside of his comfort zone. He delivers more bangers than usual on Heroes & Villains while also taking some few enjoyable risks. Without compromising the fundamental elements that made his music so enticing in the first place, Metro is thinking a little bit more creatively.
Metro Boomin makes a big artistic statement with “HEROES & VILLAINS,” which advances his (something here?) while also providing room for future development. He uses one of the best contact lists in American hip-hop to assemble his roster as a declaration of intent.