If you’re anything like us, we see an interesting headline during our daily scroll—pause to read it—but then keep scrolling without reading the actual story. So at the end of each week, we’re rounding up all the buzziest, news-worthy headlines you might have missed. Think of it like the “saved” feature on Instagram but for news instead of aesthetically pleasing photos. Metro Boomin drops Heroes and Villains featuring Gunna and Young Thug, Bad Bunny is the most-streamed artist in the world yet again, and A$AP Rocky launches new design studio HOMMEMADE with Gufram—this is what you missed.

#1

Metro Boomin Drops ‘HEROES & VILLAINS’ Album Feat. Gunna, Young Thug, 21 Savage, Future, & More
Atlanta producer makes his re-emergence into the music scene with a guest-packed album and rollout that builds on his previously established dark, hard-hitting production and amplifies it. Metro Boomin dropped his sophomore album HEROES & VILLAINS, gift-wrapped in a nod to Pink Floyd’s Wish You Were Here inspired cover, after a 4-year hiatus since his 2018 album Not All Heroes Wear Capes. The album cover finds Metro paying homage to Pink Floyd, with its recreation of the famous photo of a man shaking another man’s hand as he’s smothered in flames, to which Metro alluded on Instagram writing, “must be [two] sides”, speaking to his takes on both good and evil on the new project.  Prior to the album’s release, a promotional trailer was released, doubling as a mini-movie starring Morgan Freeman and Lakeith Stanfield, burning down Metropolis, as well as appearances from Gunna and Young Thug who are featured on the album. You already know Metro Boomin was going to roll-out the red carpet for features and HEROES & VILLAINS is no exception with appearances from John Legend, Future, Don Toliver, Travis Scott, 21 Savage, Young Nudy, A$AP Rocky, The Weeknd, and the late Takeoff. Across this 50-minute, 15-track album, Metro Boomin reminds listeners why he’s one of the most talented and sought-after producers in the current industry landscape. The 29-year-old mogul’s solo work is an immaculate example of the art of balance, with nothing feeling out of place, matching his work and that of his collaborators, allowing all to shine and have their respective moments. Metro Boomin confirmed in an interview with Apple Music that this record is the second installment in a trilogy, with no current insight on the third and final project of the collection.

#2

Bad Bunny is Spotify’s Most-Streamed Artist In The World (Again)
El Conejo Malo strikes again, capturing the ears and hearts of listeners worldwide, putting him on the top of Spotify Wrapped—for the third year in a row, might I add. I don’t know about you but I personally look forward to Spotify Wrapped more than I do the holiday season or the new year. Constantly considering throughout the year who my top 5 artists will turn out to be, what that says about me, and trying to regulate myself when I’m playing a guilty pleasure song on repeat. And as a general music lover and observer of the industry landscape, I’m keen to find out which artist is dominating Spotify listens globally. And surprise, surprise, Bad Bunny reigns supreme again. It adds up, the receipts are all there—garnering over 18.5 billion streams in 2022, with his last album Un Verano Sin Ti most streamed globally and making history by being the first all-Spanish album to score a Grammy album of the year nom, with two of the album’s songs ranking in the top five most listened to tracks. The Benito-effect is undeniable. Not only is he a certified hustler—amassing impressive accolades, touring from sold-out stadium to sold-out stadium worldwide, and even breaking out into his acting career in Bullet Train alongside Brad Pitt. Bad Bunny’s success is not only big for him, but he has helped Latin music garner the recognition and streams—up 33% this year—it deserves, which drives about 85 percent of revenue in the recorded music industry. For anyone who hasn’t dipped their toes in the Bad Bunny pool—which evidently, can’t be that many of you—, what are you waiting for? You don’t need to speak Spanish to celebrate this music mogul or Latin tunes. All you need to do is get into the vibes, shake your ass, and let a catchy song take over your consciousness. All this to say, congratulations to Bad Bunny, your accomplishments are well-deserved and the world is rooting for you.

#3

A$AP Rocky Launches New HOMMEMADE Design Studio
A$AP Rocky is using his impeccable taste and talent to tap into yet another creative venture. A$AP has launched the new “furniture interior design studio” HOMMEMADE and revealed its first collection in collaboration with Gufram, an Italian furtive manufacturer based in Barolo known for its influence over 60s furniture design. Rocky took to Instagram to announce the arrival of his new studio, “I’m proud to present to you my new decor line,” sharing photos from the first project. He keeps the spirit of Gufram’s brand and their playful approach to design alive, with the new green Shroom CACTUS®, which also marks the 50th anniversary of the original design by Guido Drocco and Franco Mello. Not only did A$AP reimagine this design in a new bespoke green, but included the presence of mushrooms, which are a nod to his longtime advocacy for psilocybin. Rocky expresses his appreciation for Gufram and his first collaboration, sharing, “from mid-century modifications, to contemporary collaborations, they have established themselves as a unique brand and therefore a perfect brand collaborator. This is the first collaboration from my HOMMEMADE decor studio and since I’ve always advocated for mushrooms it was only right that we made a cactus with them.” No future plans for HOMMEMADE have been made public yet but we highly anticipate the future of the design studio and its contributions to decor.

#4

Simu Liu Returns to Host the 2023 JUNOS Awards in Edmonton
We can’t seem to get enough of Simu Liu! After passionately declaring his pride in being a Canadian and correcting us on the proper name of bubble tea, “not boba, goddammit,” in the 2022 JUNOS Awards earlier this year, the multi-hyphenated star returns to the biggest night in Canadian music in 2023. “There are no words to describe the incredible energy that took over Toronto last spring, and I can’t wait to help bring that to Edmonton. If you thought my rendition of “Complicated” was good, just wait until you hear my Nickelback cover,” added Liu to Wednesday’s announcement, referring to the rock quartet from Hannah, Alberta, being inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame this year. It’s been a busy year for Simu, and we don’t have enough fingers to count on his accomplishments. To name a few, he released a memoir, “We Were Dreamers: An Immigrant Superhero Origin Story”, dedicated to his parents, was on the cover of Vanity Fair and Times 100 and, as of most recently, got the internet thirst over his abs in the Fenty x Savage show. Time simply doesn’t stop for Simu, and we can’t wait to welcome him back to Edmonton, Alberta, for another unforgettable night.

#5

Nas and 21 Savage Release New Song “One Mic, One Gun”
Nas and 21 Savage unite on their new collab single “One Mic, One Gun,” shutting down the rumors of bad blood between them. Earlier this month, 21 went on Jay Z’s audio-sharing app, Clubhouse, and shared his hot take on Nas’s position in the current rap landscape. He questions the rapper’s relevancy and stated, “I don’t feel like he’s relevant. I just feel like he got a loyal fan base. He still makes good music.” OG rap fans know Nas as one of the most critical rappers in the late 20th and early 21st century. After his debut album Illmatic in 1994, he’s gone on to do countless iconic projects from which many of today’s biggest artists take inspiration. Despite the online histrionics, it looks like the Queens rapper didn’t take the comment to heart as they came together on this track after his latest album King’s Disease III. Nas took to Instagram to announce the release with a few words of wisdom to share “Only way we moving is with love, respect, and unity. The foundational principles of hip hop. Excited to collaborate with my young brother and I hope more artists use turbulent moments and turn them into a time to make new art. That’s what it’s about.”