On Sunday, November 19, several outlets ran with a comment from Metro Boomin, who produced “Mask Off” for Future’s 2017 self-titled album. OnThinIce on X (formerly known as Twitter) cited a since-deleted post and wrote, “Metro Boomin reveals André 3000 played the flute on the intro of ‘Mask Off’ [flame emoji, flute emoji].” Other users have since added the context, “Metro was joking here. André 3000 did not play the flute on Mask Off. The flute is part of the sample.”
If that weren’t enough, Metro Boomin commented on Complex‘s Instagram post, including a video of Metro saying that Andre played the flute on “Mask Off” before playing the track. Complex aggregated it with the framing that André 3000 did, in fact, play flute on “Mask Off,” but Metro Boomin quickly shut that down in the post’s comment section.
“How are you all even considered a real news outlet?” Metro wrote.
Luckily, to avoid any future confusion, people can turn to eight New Blue Sun tracks if they want to hear André 3000 playing the flute.
New Blue Sun is out now via Epic Records. Find more information here.
Rolling Loud California unveiled their 2024 lineup on Tuesday, November 14, but the highers-up may have been so eager to drop some names that they added some names that hadn’t yet been confirmed, or perhaps even courted. One was Lil Uzi Vert. The rapper took to their Instagram Story to say, “I never said I was doing Rolling Loud,” adding, “Don’t understand why my name is on here.”
As of Wednesday afternoon, November 15, Uzi’s name is no longer on the list. The festival posted an updated lineup poster, with Future and Metro Boomin replacing Uzi as Sunday headliners.
The festival is scheduled to take place at Hollywood Park in Inglewood, California (surrounding SoFi Stadium) from Friday, March 15 to Sunday, March 17, 2024. Nicki Minaj will handle headlining duties on Friday, followed by Post Malone on Saturday. The full lineup can be found here.
Rolling Loud California’s presale is scheduled for Thursday, November 16, beginning at 10 a.m. PST. An general public sale will follow on Friday, November 17, at 10 a.m. PST. The festival’s official website lists ticket options as follows: 3-Day GA, 3-Day GA+, 3-Day VIP, 3-Day VIP + Munchie Pack. There is also an option to book a hotel here.
Some artists covered here are Warner Music artists. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.
Just a day after Rolling Loud California unveiled its star-studded 2024 lineup, Lil Uzi Vert caused a stir by publicly stating that they never agreed to be a part of the festival. Now, it has emerged that the Philadelphia rapper is set to be replaced, with Future and Metro Boomin taking his place.
‘I Never Said I Was Doing Rolling Loud’
On Tuesday, Nov. 14, Rolling Loud California 2024 announced its star-studded lineup, and Lil Uzi Vert called out the festival after its reveal. Shortly after, it was announced that Future and Metro Boomin would take his place as headliners.
The announcement by Rolling Loud, one of the most prominent hip-hop festivals in the country, named Lil Uzi Vert as one of the headliners alongside Nicki Minaj and Post Malone. However, Uzi quickly took to social media to express their thoughts on the lineup writing:
“I never said I was doing Rolling Loud, don’t understand why my name is on here @rollingloud.”
Lil Uzi Gets Replaced
Uzi’s Instagram story post, in which they distanced themselves from the festival lineup, instantly caught the attention of their followers.
One Twitter (X) user, @dontgetsmackedd, wrote, “Lol as if they’re not in a deal…if the label said you going, n*gga YOU GOING.”
Rolling Loud California has not yet responded to the claim. However, on Nov. 15, the event’s official Twitter announced that the “Just Wanna Rock” rapper will be replaced by Future and Metro Boomin.
Nicki Minaj, Post Malone, & Lil Uzi Vert To Headline Rolling Loud California 2024
Nicki Minaj,Post Malone, and Lil Uzi Vert are set to take the stage as headliners for Rolling Loud California 2024. The highly-anticipated music festival will be held at Hollywood Park Grounds in Inglewood, California.
Nicki Minaj Set To Take Over Rolling Loud LA
Nicki Minaj’s presence as the top headliner for Rolling Loud California 2024 has fans buzzing with excitement.
The chart-topping rapper will grace the stage on the opening night, Friday, March 15, 2024, marking her highly-anticipated return to the music scene. Fans took to social media to express their enthusiasm.
One user named @princceq highlighted Minaj’s groundbreaking achievement, stating, “So Nicki is the first female rapper to HEADLINE and now she’s back? Let’s go!!” Another user named @_ridzz_ shared their excitement about attending the festival, saying, “Ain’t been to a festival in so long. Ain’t been to Cali in almost a decade. I really might do this.”
https://www.instagram.com/p/Czo2lNNOGgj/
Post Malone, Lil Uzi & More
Joining Minaj as headliners are popular artists, Post Malone and Lil Uzi Vert, ensuring an unforgettable lineup for attendees.
The festival will also feature performances from renowned artists such as YG & Tyga, PARTYNEXTDOOR, Bryson Tiller, Summer Walker, Rae Sremmurd, Flo Milli, Big Sean, Don Toliver, Larry June, and more. With such an impressive roster, Rolling Loud California 2024 promises an electrifying experience for hip-hop and rap fans.
Celebrating 10 Years!
Rolling Loud will celebrate its 10th anniversary in 2024, and fans can expect exciting announcements and special moments throughout the festival.
As the presale kicks off on Thursday, Nov. 16 at 10 AM PT, eager music enthusiasts can secure their tickets, while the general public on-sale begins on Friday, Nov. 17 at 10 AM PT.
Updated By: Yasmine Duhé (11/15/23 at 2:30 pm)
Rolling Loud California Reveals 2024 Dates & Exciting Partnership With Overtime Elite
Rolling Loud has recently announced the 2024 dates for Rolling Loud California. The hip-hop event has also revealed an exciting new partnership with Overtime Elite, an athletic organization, aiming to explore the intersectionality of music, sports, and fashion.
Rolling Loud Cali 2024
On October 18, it was announced that Rolling Loud California is gearing up for its 2024 annual event. The festival, set for March 15-17, will be held at the Hollywood Parks Ground, adjacent to the SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, CA.
Although the lineup for the 2024 edition is yet to be unveiled, Rolling Loud has treated fans to a recap video of the 2023 festival, featuring electrifying performances by Travis Scott, Future, and Playboi Carti as headliners. The festival also surprised fans with unexpected reunions, including the reunion of Nicki Minaj, Lil Wayne, and Lil Twist.
Tickets went on presale starting Friday, October 20, allowing eager fans to secure their spots in advance. With the festival’s reputation for delivering stellar performances from the biggest names in the industry, tickets are expected to sell out quickly.
Overtime Elite Partnership
Rolling Loud has also formed a strategic partnership with Overtime Elite, an athletic organization focusing on basketball prospects aged 16-20. This collaboration aims to showcase the interconnectedness of music, sports, and fashion, offering a novel and engaging experience to fans.
Additionally, as part of this announcement, Rolling Loud revealed two top prospects from the class of 2024, Nassir Cunningham and LarryJohnson.
The collaboration represents a groundbreaking initiative that bridges the worlds of music and sports. By joining forces, these two influential entities seek to delve into the intersectionality of these industries and create lasting connections between artists, athletes, and fashion enthusiasts.
In the spirit of charity, Rolling Loud and the Miami Heat basketball team partnered to create a positive impact on the youth of Miami. Through a basketball clinic held in July 2023, featuring Udonis Haslem and Haywood Highsmith, over 50 children from the Miami Gardens Life Skill and Summer Thrill Camps had the opportunity to participate and benefit from this charitable initiative.
Meet Janet Jackson At One Musicfest
In other music festival news, fans are in for a treat as they can win a meet and greet with headliner Janet Jackson at the upcoming One Musicfest. The festival promises an exhilarating experience with performances by renowned artists such as Megan Thee Stallion, Kendrick Lamar, Trina, Coco Jones, and many more.
On November 10, 2023, the Recording Academy announced the nominees for the 2024 Grammys. Once again, we’re back in Grammy season, and the countdown to the biggest day in the music industry begins. Besides the day of the ceremony, nomination day is the biggest deal for potential awardees. Artists, songwriters, and producers wait with bated breath as they hope to hear their names mentioned. This year’s nominees for Producer of the Year, Non-Classical have all proven themselves throughout the year. Each of the five producers has certainly earned their spot on the nomination list. As a result, this category is among the ones with the stiffest competition, and it’s anyone’s bet who takes home the trophy. However, one thing’s certain: whichever one takes the statuette home would deserve it.
For over a decade now, Metro Boomin has actively put in the work, contributing to the development and expansion of Hip Hop. While he’s been reaping the benefits of his work for a while, a Grammy win would certainly be a fulfilling milestone for the acclaimed producer. Known for his collaborative works with prominent rappers over the years, Boomin is finally getting recognized by the Recording Academy. In the most prestigious category for a non-classical producer, no less. Although he has won several BET and BMI Hip Hop awards, this is his first Grammy nomination ever in any category. This makes him the only first-timer among the five nominees for the 2024 Grammys. Boomin was primarily nominated for his work on the acclaimed album Heroes & Villainsand the Spider-Man: Across the Spider-verse soundtrack.
Dan Nigro
Dan Nigro is a record producer, songwriter, and musician most popularly known for his work in the indie rock, emo, and alternative rock genres. Since his indie rock band As Tall as Lions disbanded in 2010, Nigro has grown to become a prominent producer. Over time, he has collaborated with various artists across several genres. These artists include Lewis Capaldi, Kylie Minogue, and Conan Gray. However, the most acclaimed projects he has worked on to date are both by Olivia Rodrigo. Nigro first received several Grammy nominations in 2022, his first ever, for his work on Rodrigo’s debut album, Sour. Subsequently, he won alongside Rodrigo in the Best Pop Vocal Album category.
Once again, his work with Olivia Rodrigo’s Guts has earned him nods at the 2024 Grammys. This time, it’s in the most esteemed category for non-classical producers. His production on “Welcome to My Island” by Caroline Polachek, “Redwine Supernova” by Chappell Roan, and “Divide” by Dermot Kenedy, among others, also contributed to his nomination. This is Nigro’s first nomination in this category.
Dernst “D’Mile” Emile II
In 2022, D’Mile became the first songwriter in Grammy history to take two consecutive wins in the Song of the Year category. He’s not new to receiving accolades from the prestigious awarding body. While he has not yet won in the Producer of the Year, Non-Classical category, he has taken home five awards in other categories for his contributions to songs and albums.
D’Mile has two Grammys for Song of the Year and one each for Record of the Year, Best R&B Song, and Best Progressive R&B Album. His first nomination for Producer of the Year came in 2023, but he lost to Jack Antonoff. At the 2024 Grammys, D’Mile will have another chance to take home the win for his stellar production work on Victoria Monet’s Jaguar II, which houses the Record of the Year nominated single, “On My Mama.”
Hit-Boy gained widespread recognition for producing Jay-Z and Kanye West’s hit single “N***as inParis”in 2011. This production marked a significant breakthrough in his career, and he has since worked with many other prominent artists. “N***as in Paris”won the Grammy for Best Rap Song in 2013, marking Hit-Boy’s first nomination and win. Since then, he has been nominated several times for contributions to albums by Kendrick Lamar, Beyonce, and Nas. However, until now, he had never been nominated in the Producer of the Year, Non-Classical category.
His work on King’s Disease III by Nas and his collaboration project with Musiq Soulchild, Victims & Villains, earned him this nomination. If Hit-Boy takes home the award at the 2024 Grammys, it would be his biggest win yet from the ceremony. Admittedly, his recent wins in the Best Rap Album category (2021) and the Best Dance/Electronic Album category (2023) are great. However, as a producer, a win in this category would be more satisfying and in line with his craft.
Jack Antonoff
The world was first introduced to Jack Antonoff when he joined the pop rock band Fun. However, he was not as popular back then since he served as the guitarist-drummer and not the lead singer. Nevertheless, he enjoyed the success of being a part of the group. At the 2013 Grammys, they won the Best New Artist and Song of the Year categories. While he achieved global fame as a member of the group, Antonoff’s popularity has grown exponentially since he started writing and producing outside the group.
Since 2016, he has racked in quite a number of Grammys in other categories. Out of four Album of the Year nominations, Antonoff has won two, with one currently pending, all for his work on Taylor Swift albums. Additionally, he took home the Grammys for Producer of the Year, Non-Classical in both 2022 and 2023. This makes him the only producer in this lineup to have previously won in this category. Antonoff was also nominated in this category in 2021, which makes this his fourth consecutive nomination. Considering his track record, he poses the biggest threat to the other nominees on this list. It would be his third consecutive win if he emerges victorious again at the 2024 Grammys.
Metro Boomin continues teasing fans about the work he and Future are cooking up. Hitting X, the super producer, spoke about a beat that he is surely going to make his joint album with Pluto.
Just made a beat so crazy that I’m 1000% sure this gotta be on the album @1future wya I’m bout to get on the plane
I promise I’m working hard overtime every single day on this but GREAT things come to those who wait and I promise that y’all gon EAT when this album drops
In September, Metro Boomin told fans that his forthcoming project with Future is ready. Hitting Instagram, Metro shared an image holding a bird and delivered a message.
“me and @future album on the way drop some if you ready #freebandz,” Metro wrote.
Metro Boomin is continuing to tease his forthcoming project with Future. While at his Heroes and VIllains pop-up in New York City, Metro Boomin was asked about his upcoming album with Future, and Complex got an answer.
“The ultimate album right now is about to be the one with me and Future,” Metro said. “Now that Spider-Man is out and people love and resonate with it, my focus can go to what I and Pluto got coming out. I’m not doing anything until that gets done.”
He added, “It’s tunnel vision on that one because I was spreading myself thin between Heroes & Villains, Spider-Man, Coachella, and still shooting videos for Heroes. But now the focus is on this album and we’ve been working.”
Metro Boomin has quite a few classic projects under his belt in his career. One of those that is in the conversation for that title is NOT ALL HEROES WEAR CAPES. For some music aficionados, an album needs to be on the shelf for at least five years to see if it qualifies as an all-time great tape. Well, this project can enter those talks. On November 2, 2018, the St. Louis-born producer put out his highly-awaited debut album and there are plenty of highlights on it.
You have tracks like horn-synth laced “10 Freaky Girls,” with 21 Savage, which is one of his many standout features. “No More” is another one with him, Travis Scott, and Kodak Black getting personal, rapping about their internal struggles. However, arguably the most wavy and vibey cut on here is “Space Cadet.” Metro and Gunna proved they have chemistry in the past and this might be there best effort together.
Relisten To “Space Cadet” From Metro Boomin And Gunna
There are so many fantastic elements to this cut. The twinkly synth-heavy beat sets up the perfect alley-oop for Gunna to float over. To no surprise, he does just that while flexing his wealth. It makes for such an easy listen. “Space Cadet” truly puts you into space as you get to go on the drug-filled joyride with them.
What were your initial thoughts on “Space Cadet” from Metro Boomin and Gunna? Is this still the best song on NOT ALL HEROES WEAR CAPES? Do believe this is Metro’s best project? We would like to hear what you have to say about all of this. With that in mind, be sure to leave all of your thoughts and opinions in the comments section below. Additionally, always keep it locked in with HNHH for all of the latest breaking news around HNHH for all of the latest breaking news around Metro Boomin, as well as all of the best throwback jams.
Quotable Lyrics:
Bought a spaceship, now I’m a space cadet (Space cadet) Big white mansion is my habitat (Habitat) Aim a lot of sticks like it’s laser tag (Laser tag) F*** a rich b****, havin’ rich sex (Rich sex) Smoke a lot of trees, need a weed plant (Weed plant) Addicted to codeine, where the lean at? (Where the lean at?)
Metro Boomin has had a busy year so far, but fans have been looking forward to one project as much as any other. Although he’s produced for the Spider-Man: Across The Spider-Verse soundtrack, a new Young Thug album, and even a symphony orchestra, what fans really want to know is when Metro’s new album with Future is coming. Future and Metro have a long working history that goes back to the Atlanta rapper’s second album Honest and includes smashes like “Jumpman” with Drake, “Mask Off,” and most recently “Superhero (Heroes & Villains)” from Metro’s latest album Heroes & Villains.
Well, I’ve got some bad news and some good news for those fans. The bad news is that the album does not yet have a release date. The good news is that per Metro’s last update, the joint album will be his top focus for the rest of the year. In an interview with Complex, he said, “My blinders on tunnel vision. All I can see right now is me and Future’s album. Nothing else until that’s out. When it’s a [release] date, the world will know.” This could also, of course, be bad or good news for ASAP Rocky fans, since Rocky’s album purportedly has heavy input from Metro; either this means that album is done or it’s on hiatus while Metro finishes his joint project with Future.
In the meantime, Metro and Future have been teasing the project all year, with Future calling it the “album of the year” in January and Metro playing an unreleased song during a set in June. That could bode well… after all, there are only two more months left in 2023 for it to earn the distinction Future bestowed (although he didn’t say which year, perhaps giving him some cushion for 2024.
On Thursday, Oct. 26th, the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles witnessed a historic musical event as Red Bull Symphonic debuted a 90-minute live concert featuring Grammy-winning producer and DJ Metro Boomin, maestro Anthony Parnther, and the Symphonic Orchestra. This groundbreaking collaboration transcended musical boundaries and delivered an unforgettable night.
The Dolby Theatre was transformed into a visually stunning and sonic spectacle. The audience enjoyed Red Bull specialty cocktails and explored an orchestral-themed Instagram Reels photo booth before the main event. The night’s energy was set by DJ Earry Hall.
The star-studded audience included will.i.am, Knxwledge, and Red Bull Athletes Will Claye, Vashti Cunningham, Justin Williams, and Lethal Shooter.
The 90-minute show saw Metro Boomin elevate his performance, accompanied by the 43-member Symphonic Orchestra under conductor Anthony Parnther’s guidance. This diverse ensemble featured violins, celli, brass, woodwinds, and a choir, creating a unique blend of classical and contemporary music.
Special guest appearances from John Legend, Swae Lee, NAV, and Roisee added to the magic, making the Red Bull Symphonic an unforgettable and genre-defying experience. The entire concert can be streamed exclusively on the Red Bull 1520 YouTube channel on Nov. 7th.
Metro Boomin has built up enough demand to keep him booked through the end of 2025. This year alone, the producer has joined forces with some of rap’s biggest names, including Young Thug, Offset, Don Toliver, and ASAP Rocky. He’s even rumored to have collaborated with The Weeknd for his supposed final album, as well as Nicki Minaj for Pink Friday 2. However, according to Metro, his top priority is neither of those rumored pairings.
On Friday, October 27, during an interview with Complex’s Jessica McKinney, Metro revealed that he’s focusing on his joint album with Future. Around the time of his Red Bull Symphonic performance, Metro made it clear that, although he’s grateful for the creative opportunities, he wants to finalize his work with Future before committing to anything else.
“My blinders on tunnel vision,” Metro said. “All I can see right now is me and Future’s album. Nothing else until that’s out. When it’s a [release] date, the world will know.”
When asked what fans should expect from the project, he replied, “It’s the classic Future and Metro, but just updated.”
During a performance in June, Metro teased an unreleased track. When the clip hit social media, people went into a frenzy, demanding that the pair share the entire track to hold them over until the album was complete. While that didn’t happen, maybe the album will hit streaming platforms this year. Meanwhile, Lil Wayne and 2 Chainz’s long-awaited Welcome 2 ColleGrove is slated to drop next month, finally.
Some artists covered here are Warner Music artists. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.
Metro Boomin has had a truly incredible run in 2023. Early in the year, he produced the soundtrack for Spider-Man: Across The Spider-Verse, spawning the massive hit singles “Am I Dreaming,” “Calling,” and “Self Love.” Then, he remixed Young Thug’s Business Is Business, the rapper’s first album since his incarceration last year.
Last night at the Dolby Theater in Hollywood, Metro put the coup de grace on his stellar 2023 with a performance with Red Bull Symphonic, a fascinating experiment in live music determined to break down the walls between stodgy “classical” music and contemporary hitmakers.
50 years ago, hip-hop culture had to fight for its music to even be recognized as such. Of the various insults leveled at the then-nascent genre, one of the most common was that “they don’t even play instruments.”
Which is (sort of) true! One of the things that made hip-hop so accessible and appealing was that it bypassed the often expensive and elitist requirements of traditional music. All you needed to be considered a musician was two turntables and a microphone.
And while that caveat didn’t necessarily apply to the earliest rap hit, “Rapper’s Delight,” it has largely remained true throughout the past five decades. While rap and hip-hop eventually earned the respect of the public as art, there has still remained a smidgen of difference between the “low class” origins of most hip-hop and the highbrow ambitions of, say, a symphony orchestra.
But that too has been changing rapidly, especially within the last few years. As more rap pioneers such as Nas have begun to perform their classic, seminal albums backed by orchestras, yet another gap is being bridged between “high” and “low” art and cultures that have often kept each other at arm’s length.
Metro’s performance at the Dolby Theater certainly did that. Conducted by Anthony Parnther, a small but mighty orchestra embellished and emboldened some of the St. Louis producer’s biggest hits, from Future’s “Mask Off” to the more recent Spider-Man standouts.
I was personally intrigued by the diversity of the orchestra. During the summer, I’d gone to watch Japanese conductor Joe Hisaishi at the Hollywood Bowl, and both my girl and I were struck by how… monochromatic the orchestra was at that show. “Where are all the Black people,” we wondered. (There were two — they were on drums. Insert eye roll here.)
It was clear that Red Bull Symphonic’s organizers wanted to avoid such a faux pas. After all, if there is a disproportionate paucity of Black traditional musicians, it’s because they aren’t getting opportunities — either to perform or to see people who look like them perform.
Beyond simply widening the scope of possibilities for the audience, though, Metro’s performance offered a chance for cultures to clash in eye-opening and somewhat amusing ways.
Here was an audience that probably doesn’t spend too much time in theaters like the Dolby; twice, I had to put on my usher hat to help fellow concertgoers find their seats in the mezzanine, and the dress code for the evening blurred the lines between evening wear, streetwear, and Halloween chic.
A few seats over, one attendee wore what I can only describe as Milan runway meets Murphy Lee, complete with the Phantom Of The Opera mask the St. Lunatic was known for sporting in the aughts and a loose suit that reminded me of a pleated curtain at a fancy hotel.
Women wore everything from couture to jeans, while guys — being guys — did their best to dress up their usual concert ensembles. (No but seriously, guys, can we make just like 25 percent more effort?)
Meanwhile, overlooking the stage from his customary perch on a raised DJ booth, Metro looked dapper in his formal jacket (with tails!), working the crowd on the mic like a typical day at the office. The contrast was funny but cool. Here was a DJ, more or less leading an orchestra, hyping the audience as though they were dancing in a sweaty club instead of seated in a fancy theater like they showed up for Hamilton.
Naturally, Metro brought a slew of guests, including Roisee, who sang her irresistible hook from “Am I Dreaming?”; Swae Lee and Nav, who tag-teamed a performance of “Calling”; and John Legend, who joined a choir singing “Father, Stretch My Hands” (sans its problematic principal) and his Heroes & Villains cut “On Time” — getting a surprisingly huge crowd pop in the process.
While hip-hop doesn’t exactly need moments like these to be considered a legitimate art form — that battle was won long ago — they ultimately serve a different purpose. The combination shows how malleable and versatile ALL musical forms ultimately are, that we don’t have to pick and choose and separate and categorize all these different genres. And we certainly don’t need to set any “higher” or “lower” than the others.
Not only can they all coexist, but they can also be used to transform each other — and their respective listeners — making us all more well-rounded, versatile, and cultured in the process. There’s no highbrow, lowbrow, “good,” or “real” music — there’s just music and it all has the power to move us.
(@metroboomin)
