A$AP Rocky Faces Plagiarism Claims Over ‘Shroom Clouds’ Video

A$AP Rocky is facing a growing online backlash after a visual in his “Shroom Clouds” music video was accused of closely resembling an earlier work by another creator. The allegations have triggered a debate over artistic ownership, artificial intelligence, and whether established musicians are giving independent visual artists proper credit.

The controversy gathered momentum after creative director and visual effects artist @cache_bunny posted a side-by-side comparison on social media, pointing to similarities between a video created in 2019 and imagery featured in A$AP Rocky’s latest release. The comparison quickly circulated among music fans and members of the creative community.

Neither Rocky nor his representatives have publicly responded to the accusations.

The ‘Shroom Clouds’ Visual Under Scrutiny

The “Shroom Clouds” video premiered on October 19, 2026. The track features Reggie and Jeremih and is part of A$AP Rocky’s Don’t Be Dumb Disc 2 release.

The video’s credits list Rocky alongside directors Aisulton Seitov and Pietro Biz Biasia. Production companies North of Now and Partizan also receive credit.

However, attention has shifted from the production’s creative team to one particular visual that critics believe closely resembles an earlier video. Online commentators have suggested that the original footage may have been recreated or adapted using artificial intelligence and digital compositing, potentially replacing the original subject with Rocky.

These suggestions remain speculation. A visual comparison alone does not establish that copyrighted footage was used, that an artist’s work was deliberately copied or that any legal infringement occurred.

Original Creator Says Hundreds Have Reached Out

The artist behind the allegations, posting as @cache_bunny, said the comparison had attracted considerable attention from fellow creators.

In a statement shared online, the VFX artist said they received more than 600 messages about the situation and that the response showed how strongly the issue resonated within the creative community.

The artist questioned why Rocky’s team had not approached the original creator to license the footage or produce a separate version inspired by it.

The post also asked for advice on next steps, suggesting the creator had not yet decided how to proceed.

The response has renewed attention to the challenges independent artists face when larger productions may reuse their work. For creators who invest time and resources into developing original visual concepts, unauthorized imitation can raise concerns about recognition, compensation, and control over their work.

@cache_bunny on A$AP Rocky Copying VFX for Shroom Clouds

AI Credits Add Fuel to the Backlash

The controversy has become more complicated because the “Shroom Clouds” credits reportedly identify several AI artists, including Spike, Red, and Ces.

Their inclusion has prompted viewers to question how artificial intelligence was used during production and whether AI-assisted tools played a role in recreating the disputed imagery.

Rocky has previously discussed his creative preferences in an interview with Complex, where his comments about practical creative methods have been brought back into the conversation. Critics have pointed to the apparent contrast between those remarks and the AI-related credits in the new video.

The debate reflects a wider challenge facing the entertainment industry. AI tools can accelerate visual production and offer filmmakers new creative possibilities, but they also raise difficult questions about training material, source attribution, licensing and the boundaries between inspiration and imitation.

A$AP Rocky accused of using visuals from a 2019 video in his “Shroom Clouds” music video 👀🚨

– The original creator has shared a comparison highlighting the similarities between the two videos

– The accusations add to the backlash over Rocky’s use of AI, with multiple AI artists credited in the production

– Rocky and his team have yet to publicly respond to the allegations

(via: cache_bunny on Instagram)

— ATP (@ATP_RAP) October 25, 2026

No Official Response Yet

For now, the allegations against A$AP Rocky remain unproven. No public finding has established that the rapper or his collaborators improperly used another creator’s copyrighted material.

The situation could develop further if the original artist files a formal complaint or asks the production team for clarification.

Regardless of how the dispute unfolds, the “Shroom Clouds” controversy has spotlighted an increasingly contentious issue: who owns a creative idea when artificial intelligence becomes part of the production process?

For musicians, directors, and independent artists alike, the answer could have major implications for the future of music videos and digital filmmaking.