“If Young Metro don’t trust you, I’m gon’ shoot you.”

That line from Kanye West’s “Father Stretch My Hands Pt. 1” became an internet sensation in 2016. From that point forward, Metro Boomin has become one of the biggest figures in hip hop.

Metro Boomin was born in St. Louis, Missouri under the name Leland Tyler Wayne on September 16, 1993. At age 13, he started to make beats. His career took off from an early age as he began collaborating with artists in the eleventh grade. After high school, he attended Morehouse College in Atlanta, but he took a break from college so he could focus on making music.

He released his first mixtape, 19 & Boomin, in 2013. However, it isn’t his mixtape that has made him famous; rather, his work with other artists has made him one of the biggest names in hip hop. He boasts an impressive résumé that includes work with Kanye West, Future, Drake, The Weeknd, 21 Savage, Kodak Black, Migos, and others. When one looks at the songs he has contributed to, it’s incredible to see how many hits he has produced: No Heart, X, Where Ya At, Jumpman, Father Stretch My Hands Pt. 1, Low Life, Bad and Boujee, Bounce Back, Tunnel Vision, and Mask Off.

When one thinks of the truly great producers of our time, Kanye West comes up quite frequently; if Metro Boomin can maintain a rate of success similar to the one he has already enjoyed, he may go down as the greatest producer ever.

One thing that separates Metro Boomin from other producers is his ability to mix sounds that may not be obvious fits, but more often than not, they work together incredibly well. His influence can be seen in some of the trends he has created. He utilized the flute in both Mask Off and Tunnel Vision. Both of those songs are incredibly popular at the moment. As of April 27th, Mask Off is sitting at number five in the Billboard Hot 100; Tunnel Vision is at 21. It appears as if the flute will become a popular part of future hip hop songs because of his success.

Only time will tell if Metro Boomin can cement his status as one of the greatest producers of all time, but he’s definitely in position to stand amongst the greats…