Metro Boomin recently opened up about the unique challenges of working with 21 Savage, and while it can be exhausting, it’s all part of what makes their collaboration so successful.
During an interview with Timbaland for Rolling Stone, which premiered on Friday (October 18), Metro discussed a key element that makes working with the Atlanta rap star both rewarding and draining. When Timbaland asked Metro how often he requests artists to redo their vocals, Metro explained that it happens quite often, especially when working with 21 Savage.
“As I get older, I find myself asking for more vocal re-dos,” Metro shared. “Me and 21 Savage go through this a lot. He’s the pickiest artist I’ve ever worked with, especially when it comes to beats. I can play this man 35 or 40 beats, and he’ll keep saying, ‘Next one, next one, next one.’ It can get draining, but it pushes us to do better.”
Metro further elaborated on the dynamic, saying, “When he’s that picky, I make sure he brings his A-game on the one he finally picks. I tell him, ‘You can’t give me any mediocre stuff after all that.’”
Timbaland, who has produced countless hits himself, chimed in with praise, saying: “Y’all make some incredible music together.”
Metro didn’t hesitate to agree, adding: “21 Savage is definitely my favorite to work with. Sure, we get on each other’s nerves sometimes, but at the end of the day, we push each other to be better. If he’s not feeling the beats, I’m back in the studio cooking up something new. You need that kind of energy to make great music.”
This candid conversation offers a glimpse into the meticulous process behind the hits that Metro and 21 Savage have created together, proving that while the journey may be tiring, the results speak for themselves.
