The Weeknd once sang “Metro Boomin turn this ho into a mosh pit” on their Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 hit “Heartless,” but last Thursday (Oct. 26), he turned Los Angeles’ Dolby Theatre into an entire hip-hop symphony during his Red Bull Symphonic concert.
His one-night-only experience marked the West Coast premiere of the Red Bull Symphonic, which showcases a collaboration between a modern artist and a classical musical director, together with a full-scale orchestra. It made its U.S. debut last November, when Rick Ross teamed up with conductor Maestro Jason Rodgers and the 50-piece, all-Black Orchestra Noir in Atlanta.
The hip-hop superproducer partnered with conductor Anthony Parnther (Encanto, Star Wars: The Mandalorian, Creed II, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever) and the Symphonic Orchestra to reimagine many of his biggest hits, including Future‘s “Mask Off,” Migos and Lil Uzi Vert‘s “Bad and Boujee,” Post Malone and Quavo‘s “Congratulations,” Kanye West‘s “Father Stretch My Hands, Pt. 1” and his own “Creepin’” alongside The Weeknd and 21 Savage. Considering his star-studded list of collaborators, Metro also treated attendees to surprise guests John Legend, Swae Lee, Nav and Roisee to perform songs from his 2022 Billboard 200-topping album Heroes & Villains and the 2023 Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse soundtrack he executive produced.
“Sh–’s so beautiful,” Metro told his devout fans. “Tonight is a celebration. We celebrate music, we celebrate culture, we celebrate y’all for listening to this music and making it what it is.”
Check out exclusive behind-the-scenes and performance photos from his Red Bull Symphonic show below.
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