When people think of legendary producers, many different names come to mind. Individuals often think of musicians like Dr. Dre, Pharell Williams, and Kanye West as the greatest rap producers of the 21st century. However, one name has always been left out of the discussion until now. Leland Tyler Wayne, also known as “Metro Boomin,” has quickly skyrocketed in popularity due to the dynamic and passionate nature of his music production. Metro’s second official studio album, Heroes and Villains, was released in late 2022 and is widely considered one of the best productions to come out last year. Here are the top five songs from Metro Boomin’s contemporary masterpiece.

5. “Creepin’” ft. The Weeknd & 21 Savage
With a gentle, melancholy tone, “Creepin’” is a stark contrast from the rest of this album. Using The Weeknd’s melodic vocals, this song portrays the vulnerability people face in relationships with cheating and dishonesty, going as far as to say they would rather not find out than deal with the heartbreak. The one downside of this piece is 21 Savage’s harsh, underwhelming verse that takes away from the purpose of this song as a whole.

4. “Niagara Falls” ft. Travis Scott & 21 Savage
“Niagara Falls” jumps out of this album at listeners, not because of a profound statement but because of a contagious, well-produced beat that fits the message of this song exceptionally well. “Niagara Falls” is a simpler composition that depicts the elegant lifestyles of these artists that are so grand that Travis Scott “needs an extra foot or two” to brave the struggles of maintaining such a large empire. Overall, while this song is not the most meaningful track on Heroes and Villains, “Niagara Falls” will stay with listeners as a catchy and entertaining song.

3. “Too Many Nights” ft. Don Toliver & Future
“Too Many Nights” takes a sharp turn from the hardcore melody of “Superhero” to a song about one’s past struggles rather than one’s current challenges. The theme of this song is how while these artists may currently seem comfortable, they had to struggle for years to take their spots in the limelight. Don Toliver’s and Future’s performances on this song help contribute to its meaning by providing less aggressive vocals to suit the mood of this track. Overall, “Too Many Nights” feels more grounded in reality and everyday struggles compared to most songs on Heroes and Villains.

2. “On Time” ft.John Legend
“On Time” is arguably the greatest opening song to ever be released on an album. It provides the perfect introduction to Heroes and Villains and sets the tone for the rest of the album in terms of quality and intensity. This is due to the song’s beautiful transition from the strong, harmonious voice of John Legend to a tyrannical speech by Homelander, a fictional character from a TV show called The Boys. In this show, Homelander plays the role of a superhero who is corrupted by fame and greed. Overall, “On Time” is the best example of Metro Boomin’s capabilities as a vibrant and emotional producer.

1. “Feel the Fiyaaaah” ft. ASAP Rocky & Takeoff
As the last song on Heroes & Villains, “Feel the Fiyaaaah” switches to a more relaxed flow as ASAP Rocky and the late Takeoff perform heartfelt yet powerful verses. The overall significance of this song is its characterization of life’s simple ups and downs. This is further shown when Takeoff cleverly uses all of the letters of the alphabet to posthumously deliver a memorable and captivating ballad. All in all, “Feel the Fiyaaah” is the most complete song on Heroes and Villains and is an honorable final song for Takeoff.