Hip Hop/ Rap
A$AP Rocky Soars Through Chaos in Dystopian “Helicopter$” Video
A$AP Rocky has dropped the latest single from his highly anticipated album Don’t Be Dumb, and it’s accompanied by one of his most visually ambitious music videos to date. Released on January 12, “Helicopter$” finds the Harlem rapper navigating a surreal, riot-torn cityscape filled with colliding cop cars, robot wars, rooftop uprisings, and heavily armed SWAT teams — all rendered in a nostalgic, PlayStation-era animation style.
Written and produced by A$AP Rocky alongside longtime collaborator Kelvin Krash, with co-production from Soufien 3000, “Helicopter$” continues Rocky’s streak of experimental, self-directed visuals as he counts down to the album’s release this Friday.
A PlayStation-coded fever dream of riots and rebellion
Co-directed by Rocky and Dan Streit, the “Helicopter$” video plays out like a dystopian open-world video game. Motion-captured animations depict Rocky weaving through chaotic crowds, cruising in a hot-pink mini car, and ultimately dangling from a helicopter emblazoned with “D.B.D.” — the same prop he famously used during his 2025 Lollapalooza performance.
The aesthetic leans heavily into early 2000s gaming nostalgia, with saturated colors, exaggerated physics, and cinematic cityscapes reminiscent of Grand Theft Auto. Rocky was quick to emphasize on social media that the video is not AI-generated, underscoring the hands-on craftsmanship behind the project.
Building momentum ahead of Don’t Be Dumb
“Helicopter$” arrives just one week after Rocky released “Punk Rocky,” the first official single from Don’t Be Dumb. That video featured appearances from Winona Ryder, Thundercat, and Danny Elfman, and similarly leaned into absurdist storytelling and controlled chaos.
The upcoming album is shaping up to be one of Rocky’s most creatively expansive efforts yet. He has collaborated with Tim Burton on elements of the album’s artwork and an accompanying film, while Elfman reportedly contributed to the project’s score — a rare crossover between hip-hop and gothic cinematic composition.
View this post on Instagram
Rocky reflects on growth, ego, and vulnerability
In recent interviews, A$AP Rocky has described Don’t Be Dumb as a reflection of where he is in life right now — confident, experimental, but also introspective. He’s acknowledged grappling with how to balance bravado and sincerity, aiming to express his experiences without veering into excess or negativity.
A$AP Rocky Stuns Fans With Helicopter Performance at Rolling Loud 2025
That tension is evident in “Helicopter$,” where grand spectacle collides with satire. Beneath the explosive visuals lies a commentary on power, surveillance, and chaos — themes that mirror both the modern world and A$AP Rocky’s own high-flying persona.
With Don’t Be Dumb landing this week and festival appearances like Governors Ball 2026 already lined up, A$AP Rocky’s dystopian vision shows no signs of slowing down.
