Superhero (Heroes & Villains)

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"Superhero (Heroes & Villains)"
Song by Metro Boomin, Future and Chris Brown
from the album Heroes & Villains
ReleasedDecember 2, 2022
GenreTrap
Length3:02
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
Music video
"Superhero (Heroes & Villains)" on YouTube

"Superhero (Heroes & Villains)" is a song by American record producer Metro Boomin, American rapper Future, and American singer Chris Brown, released as the title track from the former's second studio album Heroes & Villains (2022). Co-produced by Allen Ritter and David X Eli, it peaked at number 8 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Composition[edit]

"Superhero (Heroes & Villains)" is a trap song that features "pummeling 808s and muted horns" in the production, over which Future raps in his "customary, chant-like flow",[1] and style similar to "the days of DS2"[2] In the latter portion, the instrumental "fades into somber synths", for "distorted melodies" from Chris Brown,[1] who sings about people who do not want to see him succeed.[3] The song also contains a sample of rapper Jay-Z's line about living "long enough to see yourself become a villain" in "So Appalled" by Kanye West (which is a reference to Harvey Dent's quote in the film The Dark Knight).[4]

Critical reception[edit]

The song received generally positive reviews from critics. Hamza Riaz of Mic Cheque deemed it as one of the "bone-chilling cuts" and best tracks from Heroes & Villains, although also writing that "When there is a new voice, they are shoehorned onto a disconnected strand of a track that would've benefited without it", bringing up the song as an example.[5] Peter A. Berry of Complex praised Future's vocals, describing them as "mix of menace, rambunctiousness and comically straightforward obscenity", as well as the transition in production, describing it "as theatrical as it is smooth."[1] Brady Brickner-Wood of Pitchfork wrote, “Even Future's got a little pep in his step here, particularly on the anthemic 'Superheroes (Heroes & Villains)'”.[3] HipHopDX defined it "another hit that traces back to 808s wizardry, it transitions from protracted horns to whimsically processed synthesizer notes toward the end as Chris Brown steps in for a brief yet memorable outro".[6]

Music video[edit]

A music video for the song was released on December 2, 2022, alongside Heroes & Villains. It begins with Metro Boomin and Future involved in a tense diamond theft, before shifting to a series of surreal scenes, including Metro surfing in the sky. Chris Brown and his respective verse at the end of the song do not appear in the video.[7][8]

Charts[edit]

Certifications[edit]

Certifications for "Superhero (Heroes & Villains)"
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[41] 3× Platinum 210,000
Canada (Music Canada)[42] 2× Platinum 160,000
France (SNEP)[43] Gold 100,000
Italy (FIMI)[44] Gold 50,000
Poland (ZPAV)[45] Gold 25,000
Portugal (AFP)[46] Gold 5,000
United Kingdom (BPI)[47] Silver 200,000
United States (RIAA)[48] 2× Platinum 2,000,000
Streaming
Greece (IFPI Greece)[49] Platinum 2,000,000

Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.
Streaming-only figures based on certification alone.

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c Berry, Peter A. (December 8, 2022). "Metro Boomin's 'Heroes and Villains' Is the Ultimate Rap Blockbuster". Complex. Retrieved December 12, 2022.
  2. ^ Blair, Robert (December 8, 2022). "Metro Boomin "Heroes & Villains" Album Review". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved December 12, 2022.
  3. ^ a b Brickner-Wood, Brady (December 8, 2022). "Metro Boomin: Heroes & Villains Album Review". Pitchfork. Retrieved December 12, 2022.
  4. ^ Reeves, Mosi (December 6, 2022). "It's a World of Embattled Men on Metro Boomin's 'Heroes & Villains'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved December 12, 2022.
  5. ^ Riaz, Hamza (December 7, 2022). "Review: Metro Boomin, 'Heroes & Villains'". Mic Cheque. Retrieved December 12, 2022.
  6. ^ "Best Produced Hip Hop Songs of 2023". 6 December 2023.
  7. ^ Cho, Regina (December 2, 2022). "Metro Boomin and Future reunite for new "Superhero" video". Revolt. Retrieved December 12, 2022.
  8. ^ Grant, Shawn (December 12, 2022). "Metro Boomin's 'Heroes & Villains' to Debut with 185K First Week, Will Take Top Spot on Billboard". The Source. Retrieved December 12, 2022.
  9. ^ "Metro Boomin with Future & Chris Brown – Superhero (Heroes & Villains)". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved December 12, 2022.
  10. ^ "Metro Boomin – Superhero" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved January 25, 2023.
  11. ^ "Metro Boomin Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved December 21, 2022.
  12. ^ "METRO BOOMIN WITH FUTURE & CHRIS BROWN – Superhero (Heroes & Villains)" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved December 14, 2023.
  13. ^ "Metro Boomin – Superhero" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved January 25, 2023.
  14. ^ "Metro Boomin Chart History (Global 200)". Billboard. Retrieved December 12, 2022.
  15. ^ "Official IFPI Charts – Digital Singles Chart (International) – Week: 03/2024". IFPI Greece. Archived from the original on January 26, 2024. Retrieved January 27, 2024.
  16. ^ "Tónlistinn – Lög" [The Music – Songs] (in Icelandic). Plötutíðindi. Archived from the original on 16 January 2023. Retrieved 19 March 2023.
  17. ^ "Irish-charts.com – Discography Metro Boomin". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved December 12, 2022.
  18. ^ "Mūzikas Patēriņa Tops/ 03. nedēļa" (in English and Latvian). LAIPA. Retrieved June 18, 2023.
  19. ^ "2023 4-os savaitės klausomiausi (Top 100)" (in Lithuanian). AGATA. January 27, 2023. Retrieved January 27, 2023.
  20. ^ "Metro Boomin Chart History (Luxembourg Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved December 13, 2022.
  21. ^ "The Official Mena Chart - This Week's Official MENA Chart Top 20 from 02/12/2022 to 08/12/2022". theofficialmenachart.com. International Federation of the Phonographic Industry. 14 December 2022. Archived from the original on 14 December 2022. Retrieved 14 December 2022.
  22. ^ "Metro Boomin with Future & Chris Brown – Superhero (Heroes & Villains)" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved May 28, 2022.
  23. ^ "NZ Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. December 17, 2022. Retrieved December 17, 2022.
  24. ^ "TurnTable Nigeria Top 100". TurnTable. Retrieved January 5, 2023.
  25. ^ "Metro Boomin with Future & Chris Brown – Superhero (Heroes & Villains)". AFP Top 100 Singles. Retrieved January 18, 2023.
  26. ^ "Metro Boomin Chart History (Romania Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved December 13, 2022.
  27. ^ "Chris Brown | Biography, Music & News". Billboard.
  28. ^ "Veckolista Heatseeker, vecka 49, 2022". Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved January 20, 2023.
  29. ^ "Metro Boomin with Future & Chris Brown – Superhero (Heroes & Villains)". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved December 12, 2022.
  30. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved January 28, 2023.
  31. ^ "Official Hip Hop and R&B Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved December 14, 2023.
  32. ^ "Metro Boomin Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved December 12, 2022.
  33. ^ "Metro Boomin Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved December 12, 2022.
  34. ^ "Metro Boomin Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved December 19, 2023.
  35. ^ "Metro Boomin Chart History (Rhythmic)". Billboard. Retrieved March 25, 2023.
  36. ^ "Canadian Hot 100 – Year-End 2023". Billboard. Retrieved November 22, 2023.
  37. ^ "Billboard Global 200 – Year-End 2023". Billboard. Retrieved November 22, 2023.
  38. ^ "Hot 100 Songs – Year-End 2023". Billboard. Retrieved November 22, 2023.
  39. ^ "Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs – Year-End 2023". Billboard. Retrieved November 22, 2023.
  40. ^ "Rhythmic Songs – Year-End 2023". Billboard. Retrieved November 22, 2023.
  41. ^ "Feb Single Accreds 2024" (PDF). Retrieved March 9, 2024.
  42. ^ "Canadian single certifications – Metro Boomin – Superhero (Heroes & Villains)". Music Canada. Retrieved May 6, 2023.
  43. ^ "French single certifications – Metro Boomin feat. Future & Chris Brown – Superhero (Heroes & Villains)" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. Retrieved April 3, 2024.
  44. ^ "Italian single certifications – Metro Boomin, Future & Chris Brown – Superhero (Heroes & Villains)" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Retrieved December 2, 2023.
  45. ^ "OLiS - oficjalna lista wyróżnień" (in Polish). Polish Society of the Phonographic Industry. Retrieved September 6, 2023. Click "TYTUŁ" and enter Superhero (Heroes & Villains) in the search box.
  46. ^ "Portuguese single certifications – Metro Boomin, Future & Chris Brown – Superhero (Heroes & Villains)" (PDF) (in Portuguese). Associação Fonográfica Portuguesa. Retrieved August 26, 2023.
  47. ^ "British single certifications – Metro Boomin, Future & Chris Brown – Superhero (Heroes & Villains)". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved June 17, 2023.
  48. ^ "American single certifications – Metro Boomin, Future & Chris Brown – Superhero (Heroes & Villains)". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved July 6, 2023.
  49. ^ "IFPI Charts – Digital Singles Chart (International) – Εβδομάδα: 23/2023" (in Greek). IFPI Greece. Retrieved June 15, 2023.