Even though Metro Boomin is not a rapper, fans are still going to flock to his live shows whenever possible. That proves just how massive the St. Louis producer has become over time, especially in the last year and a half. His 2024 has been nothing short of incredible already, dropping two albums in a matter of less than a month. Even though that is a big deal, especially due to how much quality is on each offering, what is even more incredible is how it has created this civil war in rap. One of the ways Metro Boomin has done that is by making “Like That,” which he played at Coachella alongside NAV.
The Toronto born rapper and singer was an April 14 performer at the 2024 installment of the legendary music and arts festival. NAV certainly had the raucous crowd going even crazier after bringing Metro onto the stage with him. As most know, these two have a longstanding friendship which dates back to the late 2010s. NAV is one a handful of artists to have a full album with Metro, being Perfect Timing back in 2017.
The self-proclaimed Brown Boy made sure to ask the fans to give Metro his flowers after cutting “Like That” short. “Make some f***ing noise for the G.O.A.T., my brother for life Metro Boomin!” The producer extraordinaire made sure to show love right back, saying, “Y’all make some noise for my brother NAV, the motherf***in’ Brown Boy!” It seems that the Canadian is still against Drake, after unfollowing him on social media just days after “Like That” dropped.
What are your thoughts on Metro Boomin and NAV playing “Like That” together at Coachella? Does this just prove further that everyone is against Drake at this point? Is this song still in your rotation, why or why not? Do you think more collaborations with NAV are coming soon? How do you feel so far about WE STILL DON’T TRUST YOU? We would like to hear what you have to say, so be sure to leave your takes in the comments section. Additionally, always keep it locked in with HNHH for all of the latest news surrounding Metro Boomin and NAV. Finally, stay with us for everything else going on around the music world.
Very few artists are subject to as many bizarre news stories as Playboi Carti. A few weeks ago the Antagonist Tour that he announced last year was formally canceled. The tour was teased to include his entire Opium lineup with artists like Ken Carson and Destroy Lonely. After multiple delays fans that bought tickets got messages last month that the tour had been formally canceled. But in the wake of the cancelation he’s treated fans to some new material.
Last week, he teamed up with Camila Cabello for a new single that had fans divided. The track is called “I LUV IT” and features elements of hyperpop mixed with Camila’s usual style. Carti contributed a guest verse to the song that left a lot of fans watching more. He also only briefly appears in the music video because he reportedly arrived after they wrapped filming. He was on time for music video shoot for “FEIN!” with Travis Scott. The video dropped last week ahead of the pair’s performance on Saturday Night Live. Check out the newest artist he’s crossed paths with below.
In new photos making the rounds online, Playboi Carti and Nav are hanging out in the club. The pics come from earlier this week when the pair were spotted out together. The pair have appeared on two songs together. Most notably, Carti joined Offset on the song “Minute” from Nav and Metro Boomin’s collab album Perfect Timing. They also both appear on the Mustard song “Baguettes In The Face” from his 2019 album Perfect Ten.
Carti has dropped a number of singles on YouTube this year accompanied by DIY music videos. None of the tracks have made it to streaming yet, nor has Carti spoken much on when a new album could materialize. What do you think of Playboi Carti and Nav crossing paths during a night out? Do you want to see the two cross paths on a song again? Let us know in the comment section below.
Rap fans seem to be witnessing the start of a civil war within the game, and a lot of affected parties are starting to remark how overblown and dramatic it’s being presented as on social media. Moreover, OVO Chubbs -– Drake’s security guard, close friend, and much more -– recently commented on a post that reported on his partner’s current beef with a couple of opponents. Kendrick Lamar, Metro Boomin, and supposedly NAV, Future, Rick Ross, and others are against The Boy here. However, with just a simple crying-laughing emoji to offer, it seems like Chubbs is relatively unbothered about all this.
What’s more is that, given Drake’s recent speech during last night’s (Sunday, March 24) Big As The What? tour stop with J. Cole -– who’s also caught smoke in this beef -– it seems like he’s unbothered by this, too. “I got my head held high, my back straight, I’m ten f**king toes down,” he told the crowd. “And I know no matter what there’s not another n***a that could ever f**k with me on this Earth.” This seemed more of a direct reference to Kendrick Lamar asserting the hip-hop crown, but could also apply to other spats.
One of these, fans think, is Drake’s rift with NAV, as the latter seemed to unfollow the former on Instagram, something that Rick Ross also apparently chose as his stance. While it’s not really clear if this actually coincides with the release of Future and Metro Boomin’s new album, that’s still the prevailing narrative online. NAV is likely loyal to Metro Boomin, who has been supposedly beefing with Drizzy for a while now, as they have a collab tape together. But it’s also quite odd to see so many supposedly tight relationships crumble.
As such, a lot of fans are still calling cap on the whole affair, either it not being as deep as people think or it being impossible that the “Scholarships” duo is at odds, since Metro Boomin seemed to shut this down recently. But from what this beef story has held so far, it seems like anything is possible. Maybe we won’t ever get direct confirmation on these conflicts, but they definitely paint the rap world under a different context. On that note, stick around on HNHH for the latest news and more updates on Drake.
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.
Just over a month ago, we covered a newer artist on the scene out of Montréal, Québec, Canada. His name is Elyrix, a 30-year-old rapper and vocalist who is making waves up north. He began releasing music to streaming back in 2020 with the release of his debut project. I Feel Better Alone was a solo project that was recorded in his basement. All artists have to start somewhere and Elyrix certainly put his heart and soul into his first offering to make sure he could have a more stable foundation.
That came to fruition for the artist, as he was able to eventually build his own studio. Subsequently, slowing down was not an option for Elyrix. Less than a year later break & tell came out and that really got things in motion for him Some high-level performances at a few shows got some major rapper’s attention. Rick Ross, Gucci Mane, Lil Baby, and Gunna, were all impressed with his style and sound. So much so, that all four of them and more would go on to appear on his Ostrogoth, Pt. 1 tape. More ears caught wind of Elyrix because of this and he grabbed Gunna for a single just about a week later on “Day Off,” which is blowing up.
All of this hard work brings us to another new single a week later called “Looking At Me.” This time he joins NAV in the studio, as his recognition continues to flourish. It is a quick two-minute cut, but do not let the time fool you. The track is hard-hitting with Elyrix even co-producing it. According to Genius, this looks to be on his Ostrogoth, Pt. 2 which is possible slated for a 2024 release.
What are your initial thoughts on this brand new song, “Looking At Me,” featuring Elyrix and NAV? Is this his best single of 2023? Which song of his is your favorite? We want 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 hottest song releases and all of the latest breaking news around the music world.
Quotable Lyrics:
Play my cards, I’ll never show what I’m holdin’ Diamonds dancin’ on me cold, left is frozen Caught her lookin’ at me now and she noticed Picked her right up out the crowd and she folded Drivin’ with my screws loose in a Phantom I just pulled another deuce in a Phantom
Metro Boomin brought a who’s-who of hip-hop superstars to his performance at the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards, overseeing the proceedings from a DJ booth hovering far above the stage. First, Future appeared to perform their song “Superhero” on a mist-covered stage. Then, Swae Lee popped out to sing the Spider-Man: Across The Spider-Verse soundtrack standout “Calling.” He was joined in short order by Nav, then by A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie (whose name got mangled by announcers and presenters all night. How hard is it to say “A Boogie?”). The performance ended with a loving dedication to Metro’s mom, Leslie Wayne, who was killed last year.
Metro Boomin e Future agora fazendo a performance de “Superhero (Heroes & Villains)” no MTV VMA’s.
However, because of the ongoing WGA strike, it was pretty clear that show didn’t have as much room for the scripted moments that have made the VMAs must-see TV in prior years. That left more room for music and awards, making the three-hour show feel much shorter than it actually was.
You can watch Metro’s performance above.
Some artists covered here are Warner Music artists. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.
It seems like Kim Kardashian recently went out for a night in Miami, and might have tagged along some famous friends for some fun. Moreover, a star-studded selfie recently surfaced online of the SKIMS mogul, her sister Khloe Kardashian, and none other than Canadian MC and producer NAV. While it’s unclear whether it was at Miami or somewhere else, it certainly sounds like the kind of place they would all link up at for a hangout. Regardless, it was kind of wild to see, considering that NAV is by no means the most famous or typically pop culture-connected rapper out there. He is, however, a huge star, and it’s honestly cool to see him break into an upper echelon on social media that he was probably already in to begin with.
Furthermore, there’s nothing like social media confirmation to get fingers buzzing and users posting about it. If anyone knows that, it’s Kim Kardashian herself, who documented her Miami outing with some sizzling snaps. In them, she donned a beautiful black leather top with a strapped open back, plus some matching pants for the occasion. “Let’s go! Miami nights,” the 42-year-old captioned her Instagram post, with an additional black heart to color-code with the fit.
Of course, this is entertainment royalty as a whole that we’re talking about in reference to NAV’s inclusion. He might’ve just debuted with the Kardashians, but he’s got links all over the rap game and a lot of respect and acclaim from his peers. What’s more is that there’s even more heat on the way with some of his most notable and recognized collaborators. For example, Metro Boomin recently confirmed that Perfect Timing 2, a sequel to their 2017 collab project, is coming soon.
Meanwhile, the Demons Protected By Angels artist has plenty of ability to bring star power of his own. During a show in his hometown of Toronto, he brought outTravis Scott, Lola Brooke, and Meek Mill. Maybe one day, Kim and Khloe Kardashian will be backstage or in the front row for his concerts. With that in mind, stay posted on HNHH for the latest news and updates on NAV and the Kardashians.
Nav has been making waves in hip hop since he first emerged on the scene. The Canadian artist has played a role in some of hip hop’s most notable hits in recent memory. He started his musical journey as a producer and gained popularity as a rapper. Known for his distinctly nasal tone and auto-tuned melodies, Nav has consistently released albums since 2017 and collaborated with the biggest names in hip hop. Rooted in a musical background, Nav’s uncle was a Punjabi musician from India, inspiring him to become interested in creating music of his own. He got his start uploading songs on Soundcloud and YouTube in 2015.
His keen ear for melody and production on early songs like 2016’s “Myself” landed him a record deal. That same year, Nav signed with fellow Toronto native The Weeknd’s XO and its parent company Republic Records, joining the superstar singer and Palestinian-Canadian rapper Belly. Proud of his Punjabi roots, Nav proclaimed himself “the first brown boy to get it poppin’.” Now a multi-platinum artist and Juno Award nominee, he has propelled himself to new heights of success. Today, we take a look at the career of Nav so far.
Nav’s Hand in Production
Before breaking out into notoriety and climbing onto the charts as an artist, Nav found early success as a producer. He co-produced Drake’s 2015 lethal diss against Meek Mill, “Back to Back” and is also credited on the track as a songwriter. Following that hit, he released “Myself,” a viral song that captured the ear of his now-manager, Cash XO. Nav’s production style often consists of moody and spacious trap beats, allowing room for a rapper to provide catchy melodies.
Primarily crafting beats for his own albums and his XO affiliates, Nav notably co-produced “Friends” from Everything is Love, JAY-Z and Beyoncé’s 2018 collaborative album as The Carters. The first song to garner him mainstream attention as both a producer and featured artist was Travis Scott’s “Beibs in the Trap” back in 2016. Since then, the two have become frequent collaborators. Working with notable names in hip hop has allowed Nav to grow in popularity and expand his fanbase.
Numerous Collaborations
Collaboration is one of Nav’s strong suits, as his most successful songs have been in tandem with another artist. He has been featured on songs from Young Thug, AJ Tracey, Headie One, A$AP Ferg, and many more. Nav’s biggest guest features include his work with Travis Scott on the aforementioned “Biebs in the Trap” and “Yosemite” from Astroworld. Additionally, he was featured on the massive hit “Lemonade” with Internet Money, Gunna, and Don Toliver.
While many tap Nav for features, the Canadian rapper and producer has recruited prominent names for his own tracks. Most of Nav’s most significant hits feature artists like The Weeknd, Lil Uzi Vert, Meek Mill, and Gunna, all of which are multi-platinum in Canada and the United States. His highest charting single is 2020’s “Turks” with Gunna and Travis Scott, peaking at No. 17 on the Billboard Hot 100. Nav’s biggest hits and collaborations appear on his numerous albums and mixtapes, which he releases quite frequently.
Consistent Releases
Between producing for other artists and lending vocals to tracks from his contemporaries, Nav has been busily working on his own music. He has actively released a full-length album almost every year since 2017. His first initial releases were considered commercial mixtapes, including his self-titled debut and Perfect Timing with Metro Boomin. Nav released his debut studio album, Reckless, in 2018, followed by 2019’s Brown Boy and Bad Habits, which went No. 1. His consistent release schedule has remained active in the new decade. He started 2020 by releasing the chart-topping project Good Intentions, along with Brown Boy 2 and Emergency Tsunami that same year.
Nav’s most recent album,Demons Protected by Angels, was released in 2022. With a rapidly growing music catalog, he continues building buzz for himself. He also does not seem to be slowing down anytime soon. Nav continues to add to his extensive discography with his upcoming album, Nav 2, set to be released later this year. He toured North America in 2023, generating excitement for his new project. With a new album dropping almost every year, Nav’s fanbase has continued to grow, making even larger waves for himself.
This July will mark the sixth anniversary of Metro Boomin and NAV’s Perfect Timing project, which lit things up during the summer of 2017. Among those featured on the 17-track album are Lil Uzi Vert, Playboi Carti, Offset, 21 Savage, Belly, and Gucci Mane. The most popular titles to come from the release are “Held Me Down,” “Call Me,” and “Minute,” all of which have remained in rotation for years since as fans of the Canadian lyricist and Atlanta-based producer await news of a follow-up.
Thankfully, it finally came our way this past weekend at Montréal’s Metro Metro Festival. During NAV’s set, he continued his recent tradition of surprising concertgoers with special guests. While he recently brought out Travis Scott, Lola Brooke, and Meek Mill in Toronto, his latest audience got to see him reunite with the HEROES & VILLAINS hitmaker, at which time they promised Perfect Timing 2 is on the way, though no further details were given at the time.
“Y’all make some noise for my brother, NAV,” Metro Boomin implored the audience cheering them on in Montréal. “We got that ‘Perfect Timing 2‘ on the way, n*ggas is waiting on it! Wait on it! Wait on it!” the multi-talent excitedly declared, the “Some Way” singer joining in on his chant at the end. He may not have given fans much of an idea of what we can expect to hear from him and NAV, but still, Metro is sure to be taking over speakers all across the country this summer as the various efforts he’s been pouring into as of late arrive on DSPs.
Most recently, the 29-year-old confirmed that he’ll be producing the soundtrack for Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, which Coi Leray has already been teasing her work on via social media. What’s your favourite song from the original Perfect Timing album? Let us know in the comments, and tap back in with HNHH later for more hip-hop/pop culture news updates.
