Metro Boomin really did that.
When Heroes & Villains dropped in late 2022, the hype was honestly terrifying. Sequels usually suck. We’ve all seen it happen where a producer tries to capture lightning in a bottle twice and ends up with a damp firecracker. But this wasn't just another beat tape or a collection of throwaway radio hits. It was a cinematic event. If Not All Heroes Wear Capes was the origin story, Heroes & Villains was the high-budget blockbuster where the stakes actually felt real.
You’ve got to appreciate the balls it took to open an album with a Morgan Freeman monologue. That sets a tone. It tells the listener, "Hey, stop scrolling TikTok for a second; something important is happening here." Metro basically turned the studio into a film set. He didn't just assemble a tracklist; he curated a mood that oscillated between chaotic triumph and deep, murky paranoia.
The Architecture of the Heroes & Villains Album
Most people think a producer album is just about picking the right beats and emailing them to rappers. Metro doesn't work like that. He’s more of a director. Think Quentin Tarantino but with a Roland TR-808 instead of a 35mm camera. The Heroes & Villains album works because of its transitions. You can’t listen to "Raindrops (Insane)" without letting it slide perfectly into "Umbrella." It’s a seamless experience that makes the "skip" button feel like an insult to the art.
The features here aren't random. Future, Young Thug, Travis Scott, 21 Savage—these are the usual suspects, sure. But Metro gets something out of them that other producers can't quite touch. Look at 21 Savage on "Creepin'." He’s not just doing his usual cold, calculated flow. He’s fitting into a reimagined version of Mario Winans’ "I Don't Wanna Know," bringing a weirdly soulful grit to a song that could have been a cheesy cover in anyone else's hands. It’s that ability to bridge the gap between 2000s R&B nostalgia and the dark, Atlanta trap aesthetic that makes this project stand out.
Don't even get me started on the Weeknd’s contribution. Abel on "Creepin'" is basically a cheat code. But the real MVP of the record might actually be the sequencing. The album is split, loosely, between those "heroic" moments of grandeur and the "villainous" descents into the underworld. It reflects the duality of the industry itself. Success makes you a hero to some, but a villain to others. Metro knows this. He lives it.
Why the Production Hits Differently
It’s the textures. A lot of trap music lately has felt "thin." You hear the same thin hi-hats and the same recycled 808 patterns. Metro, however, uses negative space. He lets things breathe. On "Superhero (Heroes & Villains)," that horn sample is loud, obnoxious, and perfect. It feels like a grand entrance. Then, contrast that with the eerie, stripped-back atmosphere of "Niagara Falls (Footprints)."
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The technical side is insane. If you listen on high-quality monitors or even decent headphones, you can hear the layers. There are flutes that sound like they’re haunting the track and low-end frequencies that don't just rumble—they growl.
- The use of the "I Don't Wanna Know" interpolation wasn't just a trend-chase; it was a calculated move to capture the 25-35 demographic while keeping the Gen Z fans locked in with the 21 Savage verse.
- The "Villain" side of the album feels more experimental. It’s where the "Spider-Man" references and the darker, more aggressive cuts live.
- Travis Scott's presence is felt everywhere, even when he isn't credited as the lead. His "ad-lib" game and background vocals act as a glue for the entire project's psychedelic vibe.
Honestly, the way Metro incorporates movie samples—from The Boys to old-school cinema—adds a layer of "nerd culture" that fits the comic book theme perfectly. It’s not just a gimmick. It’s a world-building exercise. He’s telling us that the rap game is a comic book come to life, full of betrayals and alliances.
The Cultural Impact of the Album
Let’s talk numbers, but not the boring kind. Within weeks, the Heroes & Villains album wasn't just on the charts; it was the soundtrack to every gym edit, every "lifestyle" vlog, and every club in the country. It did what most albums fail to do: it created a monoculture moment. In an era where music is so fragmented, everyone was talking about this record at the same time.
But it’s also about the timing. Hip-hop was going through a bit of a "vibe" crisis. People were saying trap was dead or getting stale. Metro Boomin basically walked into the room and reminded everyone that the genre still has teeth. He showed that you can be "commercial" without being "corny."
There's a lot of debate about whether this is better than Not All Heroes Wear Capes. Kinda hard to say. The first one had the novelty. This one has the polish. It feels more expensive. It feels like a victory lap that actually required effort to run.
Breaking Down the Standout Tracks
"Superhero" is the one. It just is. Future sounds like he’s ascending to another dimension. The way the beat switches mid-way through is a masterclass in tension and release. It’s the kind of song that makes you want to drive slightly over the speed limit.
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Then you have "Trance" with Travis Scott and Young Thug. It’s ethereal. It’s moody. It feels like walking through a neon-lit city at 3 AM. The chemistry between those three is undeniable. They’ve worked together so much that they have a shorthand. They know where the gaps are, and they know exactly how to fill them.
- The Soul Influence: Metro has always been a student of soul music. You can hear it in the vocal chops he chooses. He isn't just pitching them up; he's weaving them into the percussion.
- The "Morgan Freeman" Factor: Having a literal legend narrate your album is a flex. It adds a level of prestige that elevates the whole project from "mixtape" to "art."
- The 21 Savage Synergy: No one produces 21 Savage better than Metro. Period. On "Glock in My Lap" (from the previous era) or "Niagara Falls," Metro knows how to make 21’s monotone delivery feel menacing rather than bored.
There is a certain level of darkness to the album that shouldn't be overlooked. While tracks like "Creepin'" are radio-friendly, the bulk of the record is pretty grim. It deals with loss, the paranoia of fame, and the feeling of being watched. It's a "villain" origin story for a reason.
What Most People Get Wrong About Heroes & Villains
Some critics claimed the album was "too long" or had "too many features." Those people are missing the point. It’s an ensemble cast. Do you complain that an Avengers movie has too many superheroes? No. The features are the instruments. Metro is the conductor. If you removed a single Young Thug verse or a Don Toliver hook, the structure would wobble.
Another misconception is that Metro is "just" a trap producer. If you listen to the arrangement on "Walk Em Down (Don't Get Stuck)," you'll hear complex layering that borrows more from progressive rock or film scoring than from traditional boom-bap. He’s pushing the boundaries of what a "beat" is allowed to be.
The album isn't perfect, though. Some of the interludes can feel a bit indulgent if you're just looking for a quick hit. But if you’re listening to this album for "quick hits," you're doing it wrong. It’s meant to be absorbed as a singular piece of work. It’s an experience, not a playlist.
Actionable Insights for the Modern Listener
If you really want to appreciate what went into this, you need to change how you consume it. Don't just shuffle it on Spotify. That's a crime.
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- Listen in order: The transitions are the best part. If you shuffle, you lose the narrative flow.
- Watch the short film: Metro released a companion film that stars Gunna and LaKeith Stanfield. It provides the visual context for the "hero vs. villain" theme and makes the album's atmosphere click.
- Pay attention to the credits: Look at the co-producers. You’ll see names like Honorable C.N.O.T.E. and DaHeala. Seeing how Metro collaborates with other producers gives you a glimpse into his "director" mindset.
- Check the lyrics: While trap isn't always known for deep lyricism, the themes of loyalty and betrayal are rampant here. It adds a lot of weight to the "Villain" side of the record.
Moving Forward With the Metro Sound
The Heroes & Villains album did more than just sell records. It set a standard. In the years following its release, we’ve seen a shift back toward "thematic" albums in rap. Producers are realizing that they can be the stars. They don't have to stay in the background.
Metro Boomin proved that a producer can have a "voice" just as strong as any vocalist. He proved that trap music can be sophisticated, cinematic, and deeply emotional. Whether you view him as the hero of the genre or the villain who's taking over the industry, one thing is certain: he's the one in control.
To get the most out of this project, go back and listen to the transition from "Spider" into "I Can't Save You (Interlude)." It’s perhaps the cleanest three minutes of production in the last five years. Study the way the drums drop out and the synths take over. That’s where the magic is. If you're a creator, use that as a lesson in how to manage energy. If you're just a fan, turn it up. Loud.
The next step is to look for the "hidden" influences. Dive into the original samples Metro used. Listen to Mario Winans’ Hurt No More or explore the orchestral soundtracks of the 1970s that inspired the "cinematic" feel of the horns. Understanding where these sounds come from makes the Heroes & Villains album feel even more impressive. It’s a bridge between the past and the future of the Atlanta sound.
Go find the highest-quality audio version you can. Turn off your notifications. Hit play on track one. Let Morgan Freeman tell you a story about how the world needs villains just as much as it needs heroes. You won't regret it.
Next Steps for Music Enthusiasts:
- Analyze the Transitions: Open your preferred streaming service and listen to tracks 3 through 6 without interruption to see how Metro handles "seamless" sequencing.
- Compare the Eras: Listen to Savage Mode II immediately after Heroes & Villains to note the evolution in Metro’s use of orchestral elements versus traditional trap patterns.
- Explore the Samples: Use a site like WhoSampled to track down the soul and R&B roots of the album's most melodic moments, specifically "Creepin'" and "Trance."