METRO BOOMIN

Bio · Albums · Production · Tours & News

Leland Tyler Wayne, known professionally as Metro Boomin, is an American record producer, DJ, songwriter, and recording artist born on September 16, 1993, in St. Louis, Missouri. Widely regarded as one of the defining producers of modern hip-hop, Metro is credited with shaping the sonic identity of 2010s and 2020s trap music through his work with Future, 21 Savage, Travis Scott, Drake, The Weeknd, Migos, and nearly every major rap artist of his era.

As a non-performing lead artist, Metro has released two solo studio albums — Not All Heroes Wear Capes (2018) and Heroes & Villains (2022) — both of which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200. His collaborative albums with Future, We Don’t Trust You and We Still Don’t Trust You (both 2024), also debuted at No. 1, bringing his total to four chart-topping projects as a lead artist. He runs his own label, Boominati Worldwide, an imprint of Republic Records founded in 2017.

His 2024 single “Like That” with Future and Kendrick Lamar debuted at No. 1 on the Hot 100 and ignited the most-discussed rap feud of the decade — the ongoing beef between Kendrick Lamar and Drake. Metro’s production has defined the sound of an entire generation of hip-hop, from “Bad and Boujee” and “Mask Off” to “Creepin'” and the Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse soundtrack.

QUICK FACTS

EARLY LIFE IN ST. LOUIS

Leland Tyler Wayne was born on September 16, 1993, in St. Louis, Missouri. His mother, Leslie Joanne Wayne, was deeply influential in his early musical development — she played piano around the house and supported his interest in music from a young age. He has four siblings.

Metro developed an interest in music production in middle school. At age 13, he began producing beats using FL Studio (Fruity Loops) — software he still uses to this day. Initially hoping to become a rapper, he found himself needing his own beats and taught himself production out of necessity. He uploaded his early work to MySpace and YouTube, and connected with established artists through Twitter, using the platform to submit beat placements directly to working rappers.

He attended Parkway North High School in Creve Coeur, Missouri. Starting in 11th grade, his mother began driving him the eight-hour route from St. Louis to Atlanta on weekends so he could meet with artists and producers in person. One of the first rappers to rap over his beats was OJ da Juiceman, a member of Waka Flocka Flame’s Bricksquad Monopoly label. Through OJ, Metro met Gucci Mane, and eventually — most importantly — Future.

ATLANTA AND THE FUTURE BREAKTHROUGH (2012–2014)

After graduating high school, Metro moved to Atlanta to attend Morehouse College, the historically Black institution, studying Business Management. The schedule demands of a growing production career quickly proved incompatible with academic life — Metro took a hiatus after just one semester to pursue music full-time.

His relationship with Future, which would become one of the most important artist-producer partnerships in hip-hop history, began with the song “Hard,” included on DJ Esco’s Welcome 2 Mollyworld mixtape (2012). Metro then produced the lead single “Karate Chop” from Future’s second studio album Honest (2014), along with the title track and “I Won” featuring Kanye West. Metro was 19 years old when “Karate Chop” became a smash.

In May 2013, Metro announced his debut producer mixtape, 19 & Boomin. Released on October 7, 2013, via LiveMixtapes, it featured artists including Future, Young Thug, Gucci Mane, and Trinidad James. Standout tracks included “Maison Margiela” with Future and “Some More” with Young Thug. The mixtape established Metro as a producer whose presence carried its own commercial weight.

In October 2014, Metro executive produced Future’s Monster mixtape — a project many consider the turning point in Future’s career. Monster produced “Fuck Up Some Commas,” a crossover hit that signaled a new era for both artists. Throughout 2015, Metro continued to define Future’s sound, contributing heavily to DS2 and serving as executive producer on What a Time to Be Alive, Future’s collaborative mixtape with Drake.

THE BREAKTHROUGH YEAR (2016)

2016 was the year Metro Boomin became a household name. He was credited with producing a string of major charting hits: “Jumpman” by Future and Drake, “Bad and Boujee” by Migos featuring Lil Uzi Vert (which reached No. 1 on the Hot 100), “Low Life” by Future and The Weeknd, and “X” by 21 Savage and Future.

That year, he also contributed to Kanye West’s The Life of Pablo and released Savage Mode, a collaborative EP with 21 Savage that marked the beginning of a multi-project relationship between the two. Savage Mode introduced the dark, sparse, gothic production style that would come to define both Metro’s signature sound and 21 Savage’s artistic identity.

Metro won Producer of the Year at the 2016 BET Hip Hop Awards. His producer tag — “If Young Metro don’t trust you I’m gon’ shoot you” — originally voiced by Future on Drake’s “Jumpman,” became one of the most recognizable producer drops in rap history.

BOOMINATI, COLLABORATIVE PROJECTS, AND PRODUCTION DOMINANCE (2017)

In June 2017, Metro founded Boominati Worldwide, his own label imprint under Republic Records and Universal Music Group. The move established him as not just a producer but a record executive with a platform for signing talent and releasing projects under his own banner.

2017 produced three collaborative projects: Perfect Timing with Canadian rapper NAV (July), the surprise-release Without Warning with 21 Savage and Offset (October), and Double or Nothing with Big Sean (December). Without Warning debuted at No. 4 on the Billboard 200 and produced “Ric Flair Drip,” performed by Metro and Offset, which reached No. 13 on the Hot 100 and earned Platinum certification.

Outside of his own projects, Metro was credited with producing some of the year’s biggest singles — “Tunnel Vision” by Kodak Black, “Bounce Back” by Big Sean, “Mask Off” by Future (which became Future’s highest-charting single at the time), and “Bank Account” by 21 Savage.

NOT ALL HEROES WEAR CAPES (2018) — SOLO DEBUT

Metro’s debut solo studio album, Not All Heroes Wear Capes, was released on November 2, 2018, through Boominati Worldwide and Republic Records. The album debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 — a rare achievement for a primarily behind-the-scenes producer releasing under his own name.

The album featured guest appearances from Travis Scott, 21 Savage, Gunna, Drake, The Weeknd, Young Thug, Offset, and Kodak Black, among others. Standout tracks included “Space Cadet” with Gunna and “10 Freaky Girls” with 21 Savage. Critics praised the album’s cohesion and its cinematic, dark-trap sonic identity — a preview of the comic book aesthetic Metro would fully embrace in his next album.

SAVAGE MODE II AND HEROES & VILLAINS (2020–2022)

On October 2, 2020, Metro and 21 Savage released Savage Mode II, the sequel to their 2016 EP. The full-length album debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 and featured narration from Morgan Freeman throughout, elevating the project into a cinematic experience. Singles included “Runnin'” and “Mr. Right Now” featuring Drake, which reached No. 2 on the Hot 100.

In 2020, Metro also produced four tracks on The Weeknd’s After Hours, contributing to the album’s sonic identity despite its primarily 80s-inspired R&B direction. His versatility beyond strict trap production became increasingly clear through this period.

In September 2022, Metro’s mother Leslie Wayne passed away — a loss he addressed publicly through social media in the weeks that followed. Her death became a defining event in his life and work.

His second solo studio album, Heroes & Villains, was released on December 2, 2022. Debuting at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 with 185,000 first-week units, the album continued the comic book narrative thread from Not All Heroes Wear Capes. It featured narration from ASAP Rocky and Morgan Freeman, and included guests John Legend, Future, Chris Brown, Don Toliver, Travis Scott, Young Nudy, The Weeknd, 21 Savage, Young Thug, Mustafa, ASAP Rocky, Takeoff, and Gunna.

The album’s lead single “Creepin’,” featuring The Weeknd and 21 Savage, became one of Metro’s biggest singles ever — peaking at No. 3 on the Hot 100 and within the top 10 of charts worldwide. The album was later certified Platinum by the RIAA.

SPIDER-VERSE SOUNDTRACK (2023)

On June 2, 2023, Metro released his first soundtrack album — Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (Soundtrack From and Inspired By the Motion Picture) — for the Sony Pictures animated film. The soundtrack reached No. 5 on the Billboard 200 and featured ASAP Rocky, Swae Lee, NAV, Travis Scott, Don Toliver, Lil Uzi Vert, 21 Savage, and other frequent Metro collaborators.

The project represented Metro’s expansion into film scoring and major studio soundtrack work, cementing his position as a producer whose sonic vision extended well beyond standard hip-hop album cycles. On June 23, 2023, Metro also co-produced and executive produced Young Thug’s third studio album, Business Is Business.

WE DON’T TRUST YOU AND THE KENDRICK LAMAR MOMENT (2024)

March 22, 2024 saw the release of We Don’t Trust You, Metro’s first collaborative studio album with Future. The album debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 with the biggest opening week of 2024 at that point. It featured The Weeknd, Travis Scott, Playboi Carti, Kendrick Lamar, and Rick Ross.

The album’s single “Like That,” featuring Kendrick Lamar, debuted at No. 1 on the Hot 100, Global 200, and Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs charts simultaneously. Kendrick’s verse on the track — which took direct aim at Drake and J. Cole — ignited one of hip-hop’s most-discussed feuds, eventually leading to Kendrick’s “Not Like Us” and a months-long cultural moment that dominated rap discourse throughout 2024.

On April 12, 2024 — less than a month after the first album — Metro and Future released We Still Don’t Trust You, another collaborative studio album that debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200. The sequel leaned more melodic and R&B-influenced than its predecessor. Together, the two projects earned Metro and Future four nominations at the 2025 Grammy Awards, including Best Rap Album and Best Rap Song for “Like That.”

In October 2024, a civil lawsuit was filed against Metro alleging sexual assault. On September 25, 2025, after an hour of jury deliberation, Metro was unanimously found not liable on all counts. Metro stated afterward that he was “grateful and thankful to God” to have the matter resolved.

A FUTURISTIC SUMMA AND 2025

In July 2025, Metro announced his mixtape Metro Boomin Presents: A Futuristic Summa. The project was released on August 1, 2025, continuing his output as a solo producer-artist. Critical reception was mixed, but the mixtape reinforced Metro’s position as a working artist with continuous output regardless of industry or legal distractions.

Throughout 2025 and into 2026, Metro continued producing for major artists across hip-hop, R&B, and pop, including contributions to Playboi Carti’s MUSIC album (2025). He also continued to be credited on Don Toliver’s Octane (2026) and other major 2026 releases.

DISCOGRAPHY

Studio Albums, Collaborative Projects & Soundtracks

Mixtapes & EPs

19 & Boomin (2013, debut producer mixtape) • DropTopWop with Gucci Mane (2017, EP) • Metro Boomin Presents: A Futuristic Summa (2025, mixtape)

SIGNATURE PRODUCTION CREDITS

Metro has also produced for Nicki Minaj, Wiz Khalifa, Ludacris, Juicy J, Yo Gotti, Chief Keef, The Weeknd, YG, Young Jeezy, Meek Mill, Ace Hood, Young Thug, Rich Homie Quan, Drake, Lana Del Rey, Lil Uzi Vert, Migos, DJ Khaled, ScHoolboy Q, Lil Wayne, and many others — a list that reads as a who’s-who of modern hip-hop.

BOOMINATI WORLDWIDE

Metro founded Boominati Worldwide in June 2017 as an imprint under Republic Records and Universal Music Group. The label serves as the primary distribution vehicle for Metro’s solo albums, collaborative projects, and signed artists. All of his major solo and collaborative studio releases — Not All Heroes Wear Capes, Heroes & Villains, Savage Mode II, We Don’t Trust You, and We Still Don’t Trust You — have been released through Boominati in partnership with other labels.

The label also serves as a creative platform for Metro’s broader ambitions as an executive and mentor. While not primarily a talent-scouting label in the mold of Opium or Cactus Jack, Boominati has established Metro as one of the few producers in modern hip-hop with his own imprint at a major label level.

SOUND AND ARTISTIC IDENTITY

Metro Boomin’s signature production style is defined by heavy, booming bass, rattling synthetic percussion, dark gothic melodies, and cinematic atmospherics. His beats often feature pitched-down brass samples, minor-key piano motifs, and hi-hats that function as rhythmic texture rather than just timing.

His producer tag evolved over time. His earliest tag was “This beat is so, so Metro,” heard on tracks from 2013–2014. By the mid-2010s, the more famous “If Young Metro don’t trust you I’m gon’ shoot you” — originally voiced by Future on “Jumpman” — became the dominant identifier on his productions. The tag is now one of the most recognizable producer drops in hip-hop history.

Beyond trap, Metro has demonstrated remarkable stylistic versatility. His work on The Weeknd’s After Hours (2020) shows his capacity for 80s-inspired R&B production. His Spider-Verse soundtrack demonstrated orchestral and cinematic capability. His production across Young Thug, 21 Savage, and Migos catalogs shows a range from club-oriented trap to moody introspective work. This versatility — paired with a distinctive sonic signature — is what sets Metro apart from his peers.

CULTURAL IMPACT

Metro Boomin is widely considered one of the most influential producers of his generation. He has shaped the sound of modern trap music more directly than nearly any other non-rapping figure in hip-hop. His work with Future, in particular, is often cited as foundational to the dominant strain of trap that defined the 2015–2025 decade.

Beyond his direct production credits, Metro has influenced the careers of entire waves of rappers. 21 Savage’s early identity was effectively co-written by Metro through Savage Mode. Future’s commercial peak years were produced largely by Metro. Playboi Carti, Travis Scott, Don Toliver, and dozens of others have appeared on Metro’s projects or been produced by him — making him one of the most connective figures in hip-hop’s producer ecosystem.

The commercial impact of his catalog is massive: his production credits include Diamond-certified songs like “Congratulations,” and multiple Hot 100 No. 1 hits including “Bad and Boujee” and “Like That.” The industry nickname bestowed on him — “the hitmaker’s hitmaker” — reflects his standing as an architect of modern rap.

WHAT’S NEXT

As of April 2026, Metro continues to be one of the most actively booked producers in hip-hop. Reports suggest work in progress on additional solo and collaborative projects, with potential follow-ups to the We Don’t Trust You / We Still Don’t Trust You series with Future, as well as continued contributions to major 2026 rap releases. The sequel to Heroes & Villains has been rumored but not officially announced.

Metro’s Boominati Worldwide continues to grow as a platform, and his footprint on hip-hop production shows no signs of slowing. Few producers in the genre’s history have maintained this level of consistent commercial relevance over a decade-plus career.