Metro Boomin: The beat behind Hip Hop’s evolution

Leland Tyler Wayne, born on Sept. 16, 1993, and better known by his stage name Metro Boomin, is a celebrated American record producer. Renowned for his distinctive and critically acclaimed dark production style, Metro Boomin is considered one of the most pivotal figures in contemporary hip-hop and trap music. He has worked extensively with high-profile artists such as Future, The Weeknd, Travis Scott, Don Toliver, 21 Savage, Nav, and Gucci Mane.

Metro Boomin’s journey into music began in St. Louis, Missouri, where he grew up. His passion for music was ignited early on, leading him to play the bass guitar in his middle school band. Following a short period of playing the guitar, he transitioned to producing beats at age 13, after his mother gifted him a laptop equipped with FruityLoops, a music production software. Demonstrating remarkable dedication to music from a young age, he committed to producing five beats daily throughout his high school years. During this time, he also leveraged social media platforms, notably Twitter, to connect with established rap artists and submit beats for potential music projects.

His rise to success cannot be recounted without acknowledging the profound influence of his late mother, who was tragically killed in a murder-suicide by her husband on June 3, 2022. In high school, she dedicated eight hours daily to driving him from St. Louis to Atlanta, Georgia, facilitating collaborations with artists he had met online. Among the first artists he collaborated with was Bricksquad Monopoly rapper Tay Don, leading to further collaborations with labelmates OJ da Juiceman and Gucci Mane. During this period, he also met Future, marking the beginning of a significant collaborative partnership.

Following his high school graduation, Metro Boomin relocated to Atlanta to pursue a degree in business management at Morehouse College. However, this relocation was driven by educational aspirations and the opportunity to immerse himself in the Atlanta music scene, working closely with artists such as Future, Young Thug, 21 Savage, Gucci Mane, and Migos. The demands of his growing music career soon outweighed his academic commitments, prompting him to take a break from college after just one semester to focus full-time on his music production career.

Metro Boomin achieved widespread recognition with the production of “Tuesday” by iLoveMakonnen in 2014, a track that soared to number 12 on the Billboard Hot 100. His success continued into 2016 with the production of popular singles such as “Jumpman” by Drake and Future, “Low Life” by Future, and the chart-topping “Bad and Boujee” by Migos. He maintained his influential presence in the industry with his work on hits like “Congratulations” by Post Malone, “Tunnel Vision” by Kodak Black, “Mask Off” by Future, “Bank Account” by 21 Savage, and achieving his second number-one hit with “Heartless” by the Weeknd.

In an unexpected twist, Metro Boomin announced his retirement from rap in April 2018 via his Instagram, momentarily altering his bio to “Retired record producer/DJ.”. Nonetheless, he continued to leave his mark on the music industry, securing production credits on Nicki Minaj’s fourth studio album, “Queen,” and Lil Wayne’s twelfth studio album, “The Carter V.” Both albums enjoyed critical and commercial success, debuting within the top two spots on the Billboard 200.

Metro Boomin’s love for theatricality was on full display in the promotion of his music, particularly when, on Oct. 26, 2018, billboards in Atlanta and New York portrayed him as a “missing person.” This stunt was ingeniously crafted as a promotional teaser for his debut studio album, “Not All Heroes Wear Capes,” a project he had been developing since 2015. Upon its release on Nov. 2, 2018, the album featured collaborations with a roster of stars, including Gucci Mane, Travis Scott, 21 Savage, Swae Lee, Gunna, Young Thug, Wizkid, J. Balvin, Offset, Kodak Black, and Drake. “Not All Heroes Wear Capes” achieved significant success, debuting at number one on the Billboard 200 and securing the number 16 spot on the UK Top 40 Albums.

On Dec. 13, 2022, it was announced that Metro Boomin was engaged in creating the soundtrack for “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse,” as confirmed by screenwriters Phil Lord and Christopher Miller. This soundtrack, released concurrently with the film on June 2, 2023, had contributions from a diverse array of artists, including Swae Lee, Lil Wayne, Offset, A$AP Rocky, Roisee, Future, Lil Uzi Vert, JID, James Blake, Nav, A Boogie wit da Hoodie, Ei8ht, Don Toliver, Wizkid, Beam, Toian, Coi Leray, 21 Savage, 2 Chainz, and Nas. Additionally, Metro Boomin lent his voice to “Metro Spider-Man,” a fictional version of himself portrayed as Spider-Man in the movie.

In a significant financial move in 2023, Metro Boomin sold a portion of his catalogue to Shamrock Capital for an amount nearing $70 million.

As a non-performing lead artist, Metro Boomin has notably contributed to the music scene through several collaborative projects, including “Savage Mode” (2016) and “Savage Mode II” (2020) with 21 Savage, “DropTopWop” (2017) with Gucci Mane, “Perfect Timing” (2017) with Nav, and “Double or Nothing” (2017) with Big Sean. His debut studio album, “Not All Heroes Wear Capes” (2018), and its successor, “Heroes & Villains” (2022), both secured the top position on the Billboard 200 upon their release. The latter project featured the single “Creepin'” (with the Weeknd and 21 Savage), which not only reached number three on the Billboard Hot 100 but also achieved top-ten status in various countries, marking it as Metro Boomin’s most commercially successful endeavor to date.

Seventeen years later, Metro Boomin has evolved from the 13-year-old kid who loved to make beats to a global household name in the music industry, and not only that, he has also built a solid reputation as a serial entrepreneur. Billionaire Africa highlights his various business ventures and partnerships below, showcasing his multifaceted career and contributions to both the entertainment and business worlds.

1. Boominati Worldwide

Boominati Worldwide is a record label owned by Metro Boomin. It was established in June 2017 through a collaborative effort with Republic Records and Universal Music Group (UMG). Metro Boomin expressed his vision for the label, stating, “The inception of Boominati Worldwide marks a pivotal leap forward in my journey as a producer, artist, and entrepreneur. The foundation of the label is built on a consortium of exceptionally talented individuals, united by our collective capability to shape global culture and artistry.”

2. Jack  Daniel’s Collaboration

In 2023, Metro Boomin and Jack Daniel collaborated to deliver two memorable performances during the brand’s Formula 1 event at the US Grand Prix in Austin, Texas, and the Las Vegas Grand Prix in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Jack Daniel Distillery, recognized as the first official distillery in the United States, holds a place on the National Register of Historic Places. The distillery is renowned for its production of the iconic Jack Daniel’s Old No. 7 Tennessee Whiskey, along with its variants including Gentleman Jack, Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel, and a range of flavored whiskeys such as Tennessee Honey, Tennessee Fire, Tennessee Apple, Tennessee Rye, Sinatra Select, and Jack Daniel’s Country Cocktails.

At these events, Metro Boomin introduced a limited edition t-shirt, offering a fresh take on the classic Jack Daniel’s label, marking a historic collaboration as it was the first time a musician had reimagined the label. This exclusive and unique t-shirt was showcased and distributed in limited quantities at the events.

Metro Boomin shared his enthusiasm about the project, stating, “The opportunity to redesign the iconic Jack Daniel’s label t-shirt has been an exhilarating creative endeavor. It has been immensely inspiring to add my personal touch to such a storied brand, and I am eager to share the creative outcome with everyone.”

3. AAE Music

Metro Boomin has collaborated with AAE Music to streamline the process of booking him for events. AAE Music, a branch of All American Entertainment (AAE), operates as a comprehensive artist booking agency that bridges the gap between event organizers and a diverse selection of musicians and entertainers. The agency excels in arranging live performances for a variety of events, including concerts, corporate gatherings, private engagements, special celebrations, festivals, and college parties. This collaboration with AAE Music simplifies the booking procedure for clients, making it more convenient to arrange performances with Metro Boomin.

4. Real Estate

2022 marked a major milestone for Metro Boomin, as he ventured into the world of luxury real estate with the purchase of a lavish $4.9 million estate in Bell Canyon, California. This luxurious estate stands as a symbol of his remarkable achievements and financial success in the music industry. Located in the exclusive Bell Canyon community, the mansion captivates with its exquisite architectural design and panoramic views of the natural surroundings.

Equipped with cutting-edge amenities, the property features a private movie theater, a state-of-the-art chef’s kitchen, a fully-equipped gymnasium, and an inviting swimming pool. The mansion is designed with multiple bedrooms and expansive living spaces, offering Metro Boomin a lavish and tranquil living environment.