"When it comes to fashion, I like simple stuff but with a splash of something crazy – like a splash of pink in the shoes," explains Metro Boomin when looking at his personally designed New Balance NB1 998s.
Being in the game for nearly 10 years, the 22-year-old Atlanta-based producer has been labeled a production prodigy by pretty much everyone worth listening to in the industry. His work on Future’s "Karate Chop" back in 2013 laid the foundation for the following year, in which the Saint Louis-born self-taught producer blew up thanks to his "Vintage Chanel" drop featuring Young Thug and Future. Its sound – a bass heavy, ravey type of hip hop – has established itself as the sound of the moment, and his continued work with Young Thug and Future, along with Wiz Khalifa, Migos, iLoveMakonnen, Gucci Mane, YG, and Travis Scott, has only strengthened his industry cred.
Now, according to The Fader's recent cover story, the man's at the point where even Yeezy is wanting to collaborate with him.
"It's just about giving feelings," explains Metro Boomin in New Balance's film, above. "It's crazy that you can make music to actually change the way somebody feels." However it also comes down to trust and friendship: he was the only non-OVO artist trusted enough to be invited on stage by the Champagne Papi himself back at The Fader Fort festival in March; while friendship, he adds, and the "organic vibe" you get from the people around you, is the key to his creativity.
Now, the most trusted man in hip hop was given free reign to design his own pair of New Balance sneakers as part of the iconic sportswear label's NB1 project that allows anyone to design and customize three classic silhouettes and have them made in the USA: the 998, the 990(v3), or the 574.
Metro Boomin's own NB1 sneakers work New Balance's 998 with a predominately black upper of nubuck, leather and mesh. He then splashed the sneaker's lateral 'N' and tongue in on-trend pastel pink – both elements crafted from a pretty luxe hairy suede. Finishing touches appear with Boomin's alias 'Young Metro’ appearing on the kicks' heel counters, while the sole units utilize New Balance's trademark Abzorb cushioning system for an ultra smooth ride.
"You have to go strictly off your feelings," explains Boomin on the subject of creativity and his music. "You know instantly whether it's good or bad and that's the feeling I try and give back – it's like: 'Okay, let's get this out.'"
In a similar way, New Balance ensure everything in their production cycle comes from a close, trusted circle to safeguard the creative purity of their output. In this case, they're the only major company to make and assemble more than 4 million pairs of athletic footwear in their native US for their Made in USA line.
Get a closer look at the sneaker and Metro Boomin and New Balance's story in the exclusive film, above. Metro Boomin’s New Balance NB1 998’s drop XX at XX. Alternatively, just take Metro Boomin's kicks as inspiration and design your own one-of-one, US-crafted sneaker at New Balance's NB1 project.
Learn more about Metro’s NB1s at www.newbalance.com/nb1 or take Metro Boomin’s kicks as inspiration and design your own one-of-one, US-crafted sneaker at New Balance’s NB1 project.
