Metro Boomin — Red Bull Symphonic, Los Angeles, 2023

On October 26, 2023, Metro Boomin took the stage of the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles for the second US edition of Red Bull Symphonic, a format that pairs a hip-hop artist with a symphony orchestra. Backed by a 43-piece orchestra conducted by Anthony Parnther, the St. Louis producer, one of the most influential sonic architects of 2010s and 2020s rap, reorchestrated his catalog of hit productions. The roughly ninety-minute live set reworks the songs he shaped for Future, Travis Scott, The Weeknd, 21 Savage, Drake and Migos, from ‘Mask Off’ to ‘Bad and Boujee’, alongside his own tracks such as ‘Superhero’ and ‘Creepin”. Several guests appeared throughout, including John Legend, Swae Lee, NAV and Roisee, the latter giving the live debut of ‘Am I Dreaming’ from the Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse soundtrack. Captured in full and released on the artist’s official channel, this performance documents Metro Boomin at the peak of his career, the year after his ‘Heroes & Villains’ album. For hip-hop connoisseurs, this full orchestral set offers a fresh reading of a repertoire that became the sonic blueprint of a decade.