Today, A$AP Rocky, American rapper, record producer, and designer, dropped the single “Helicopter” following the hit song “Punk Rocky” and its short film, starring famous actress Winona Ryder. Both pushed out to tease the drop of his new album Don’t Be Dumb, a highly anticipated record fans have been waiting for since it was originally rumored to drop in August of 2024.
In contrast to “Punk Rocky,” this single sees Rocky returning to the murky, noir-inspired trap and utilizes the shadowy, distorted trap textures of his previous discography that helped define his career. Collaborating with writer Kelvin Krash and producer Soufien Rhouat, the track leans into a familiar, gritty, and high-fashion atmosphere.
The song, lasting a total of two minutes and 45 seconds, says everything it needed to without saying much of anything. Verses one and two primarily set the tone with Rocky flexing, asserting the rapper’s unwavering confidence, allowing space for the beat to shine; writer Chris Deville couldn’t have said it better, “It sounds intentionally musty as if it were cooked up in a dungeon…”
Some fans expressed disappointment with the newest single, feeling as though it was just a basic trap song, not offering what Rocky is known for, but with the release of “Punk Rocky,” I don’t think he could have timed out the release of either any better. To say the least, fans and haters alike are more than eager for the album to drop Friday. This teaser left fans with a question in mind: how has A$AP Rocky evolved with the time spent away from music, and how will it translate to the world now?
