Metro Boomin didn't just drop an album; he dropped a visual earthquake. When the Heroes and Villains album cover first hit social media feeds in late 2022, it felt like something shifted. People weren't just talking about the tracks or the features like Future, 21 Savage, or Travis Scott. They were talking about two men standing in an abyss, shaking hands while one of them is literally engulfed in flames.
It’s iconic. Honestly, it’s one of those rare moments where the art on the front of the record is just as loud as the production inside.
Most people recognize the reference immediately, but for those who don't, it’s a direct, stylized homage to Pink Floyd’s Wish You Were Here. But here’s the thing—it isn’t just a "cool copy." Metro and his creative team, including the legendary photographer Shane McCormack, took a 1975 rock staple and turned it into a modern trap-operatic statement. It captures the tension of the music industry. It’s about the "handshake deal" that might burn you alive.
The Story Behind the Heroes and Villains Album Cover
Let's get into the weeds of how this actually happened. Metro Boomin, born Leland Tyler Wayne, has always had a flair for the cinematic. If you look at his previous work, like Not All Heroes Wear Capes, there’s a clear narrative thread. He loves the superhero/anti-hero trope.
The Heroes and Villains album cover was shot at the backlot of Universal Studios. You can actually see the behind-the-scenes footage if you dig through Metro’s Instagram archives from that period. This wasn't some cheap Photoshop job where they slapped a fire effect on a stock photo. No, they actually set a stuntman on fire.
Multiple times.
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That’s why it looks so visceral. You can see the heat distortion in the air. The way the fire licks up the suit of the "Villain" (or is it the Hero?) feels dangerously real because it was. Using a real stuntman—specifically a professional equipped with fire-retardant gel and hidden protective layers—gives the image a weight that digital editing just can't replicate. It’s a testament to Metro’s obsession with quality. He treats his albums like films.
Why the Pink Floyd Reference Matters
If you're wondering why a trap producer is referencing a progressive rock band from the 70s, you have to look at the themes of both records. Pink Floyd’s Wish You Were Here was a scathing critique of the music business—the "machine" that chews up artists and spits them out. The original 1975 cover, shot by Aubrey "Po" Powell of the design collective Hipgnosis, symbolized insincerity. Two businessmen shaking hands, one being burned by the deal.
Metro’s version updates this for the modern rap landscape.
In the world of Heroes and Villains, the lines are blurred. Who is the good guy? Who is the bad guy? The cover features two versions of Metro. One is dressed in a crisp, clean suit (the Hero), and the other is the one on fire (the Villain). Or maybe it’s the other way around. Maybe the Hero is the one willing to burn for his craft. It’s deep. It’s sort of a commentary on the dual nature of fame and the sacrifices made to stay at the top of the production game.
The Visual Identity of the Era
The Heroes and Villains album cover didn't exist in a vacuum. It was part of a massive rollout that included a short film directed by Gibson Hazard. If you haven't seen it, you should. It features Morgan Freeman and LaKeith Stanfield. It basically turned the entire album into a dark, gritty comic book come to life.
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The color palette is crucial here. Notice the deep, oppressive blacks of the background. It makes the orange and yellow of the flames pop with an intensity that demands your attention. This high-contrast look became the blueprint for the entire aesthetic of 2023 rap culture. You saw it everywhere—from concert visuals to merch designs.
Realism vs. Digital Art
There’s a lot of debate among designers about whether the "stuntman" approach is still necessary in the age of AI and advanced CGI. Honestly, the Heroes and Villains album cover is the best argument for doing things the hard way. There is a specific "edge" to the fire in that photo. It moves differently. It reflects off the ground and the other person's suit in a way that feels organic.
When fans saw the BTS clips of the man actually standing there in flames, it added a layer of "lore" to the album. It made the music feel more "expensive." In an era where everything is a digital file, having a physical, dangerous stunt performed for your cover art is a major flex. It signals that this isn't just a collection of beats; it’s a monumental event.
What Most People Miss About the Artwork
People often focus on the fire, but look at the body language. The handshake is firm. It’s a business transaction. But the "Hero" figure on the left is slightly more rigid, while the "Villain" on the right is leaning in.
It suggests a betrayal.
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Metaphorically, it speaks to the idea that in the music industry, your greatest successes often come at a personal cost. You "burn" yourself out to provide for others, or you get "burned" by those you trust. Metro has been open about the ups and downs of his career, and this image perfectly encapsulates that feeling of being in the "hot seat."
Also, the choice of suits is very "Old Hollywood" meets "Mafia Noir." It strips away the traditional jewelry and streetwear often associated with hip-hop covers and replaces it with a timeless, almost corporate aesthetic. This makes the fire even more jarring. It’s chaos entering a controlled environment.
How to Capture This Aesthetic
If you're a creator inspired by the Heroes and Villains album cover, there are a few takeaways you can actually use. You don't need to set a friend on fire (please don't). But you can learn from the principles Metro used:
- Practicality over digital: Try to capture as much as possible "in-camera." If you want a specific lighting effect, try to rig it up rather than adding it in post-production. It changes the way light interacts with the subject's skin.
- High Contrast: Use deep blacks to create a sense of mystery. By crushing the shadows, you force the viewer to focus exactly where you want them to.
- Cultural Context: Don't be afraid to reference classics. Metro’s use of the Pink Floyd imagery didn't make him look unoriginal; it made him look like a student of art history. It gave his album a sense of "prestige" before anyone even heard a single note.
The legacy of this cover is still being felt. Even years later, you see rappers and producers trying to emulate that "cinematic still" look. But it’s hard to beat the original because of the sheer audacity of the execution. It was a moment where the music, the marketing, and the visual art all aligned perfectly.
To really appreciate the Heroes and Villains album cover, you have to look at it as the final piece of a puzzle. It’s the visual representation of the dark, soulful, and often aggressive sounds Metro Boomin is known for. It’s the sound of a "villain arc" being embraced.
Next Steps for Music Enthusiasts and Designers:
- Study the Photographer: Look up Shane McCormack’s other work to see how he handles lighting and high-stakes photography.
- Watch the Short Film: Search for "Heroes & Villains" on YouTube to see how the cover art was expanded into a full narrative with Morgan Freeman.
- Compare the Originals: Side-by-side the Pink Floyd Wish You Were Here cover with Metro’s version to see the subtle differences in framing and color grading.
- Analyze the Credits: Check out the creative direction by Peter Khosla and the rest of the Boominati Worldwide team to see how a high-budget visual campaign is structured from the ground up.