You know that feeling when a song just fits the vibe of a late-night drive so perfectly it feels like the city was built for the music? That is basically Metro Boomin Around Me in a nutshell. Released as part of the massive Heroes & Villains project in late 2022, this track didn't just come and go. It lingered. While people were busy obsessing over "Creepin'" or "Superhero," a specific subset of fans realized that "Around Me" was the actual soul of the album.
It's a weirdly lonely song for something that’s played in clubs. Don Toliver provides the vocals, and honestly, he’s one of the few people who can keep up with Metro's production without getting drowned out by the bass.
What is the vibe of Metro Boomin Around Me?
If you listen closely, the track is built on this ethereal, almost haunting sample. Metro Boomin and Prince85 handled the production, and they managed to make the beat feel "wide." It’s spacious. You’ve got these crisp drums, but the melody feels like it’s floating somewhere behind your head.
✨ Don't miss: Sheri Moon Zombie Movies: Why She is the Ultimate Horror Muse
Don Toliver spends most of the song talking about the reality of his lifestyle. He’s seeing "too many worlds." He’s talking about needing "plugs" and "drugs" around him just to function or stay in the zone. It's not exactly a happy-go-lucky anthem. It’s a song about the paranoia and the isolation that comes with being at the top.
Most people get this song wrong. They think it's just another trap banger. In reality, it’s a "villain" track. It fits that side of the album where the protagonist realizes that the lifestyle they chose has a cost. The cost is usually the people you can actually trust.
The Production Secrets
Metro is a nerd for detail. On Metro Boomin Around Me, the transition from the previous track "Trance" is almost seamless if you listen to the album in order. He uses these synth pads that feel incredibly cinematic. It’s no wonder he got Morgan Freeman to do the narration for the album. The whole thing feels like a movie, and "Around Me" is the scene where the main character is staring out of a penthouse window at 3 AM.
- The Sample: It uses a piece from Simon Park.
- The Tempo: It’s slow enough to be "vibey" but fast enough to keep your head nodding.
- The Feature: Don Toliver uses his signature "warble" effect, which adds to the psychedelic feel.
The song actually performed quite well on the charts, hitting the Billboard Hot 100 and getting certified Gold in several countries like Australia and Canada. It’s a "sleeper hit." It’s the kind of track that grows on you after the fifth or sixth listen.
Why Everyone Is Still Talking About It in 2026
It’s been a few years since Heroes & Villains dropped, but with the recent releases of We Don't Trust You and We Still Don't Trust You with Future, fans are looking back at Metro’s solo work. There is a specific "Metro Boomin sound" that people are trying to replicate, but nobody does it like the man himself.
The "Around Me" energy is what started the wave of "dark R&B-trap" that’s dominating the airwaves right now. It proved that you don't need a massive, aggressive beat to make a hit. You just need atmosphere.
Honestly, if you haven't checked out the ChoppedNotSlopped version by OG Ron C and DJ Candlestick, you're missing out. It slows the song down even further, turning it into a literal fever dream. It’s the ultimate version of the song for anyone who really wants to feel the production.
How to Appreciate the Track Properly
To really "get" what Metro was doing here, you have to stop looking at it as a single. It’s a piece of a larger puzzle.
- Listen with high-quality headphones. The low-end frequencies in Metro's production are often missed on phone speakers.
- Watch the Short Film. Metro released a short film for the album that gives context to the "Heroes vs. Villains" theme.
- Check the Credits. Seeing names like Prince85 and Simon Park helps you understand where that "old-world" cinematic sound comes from.
The song isn't just about the lyrics; it's about the space between the notes. That's where the magic is.
Actionable Next Steps
If you’re a fan of this specific sound, your next move is to dive into the Heroes & Villains (Villains Version). It contains the remixes that emphasize the darker, more atmospheric elements of the tracks. You should also look into Don Toliver’s Love Sick album, which carries a similar sonic DNA. Finally, if you're a producer, study the way Metro uses "silence" in this beat. It’s a masterclass in not over-complicating a melody while still making it feel massive.