ASAP Rocky is taking to the skies for the latest look inside the world of Don’t Be Dumb, his new album slated for release this Friday.
Monday (Jan. 12), Rocky made good on his recent “Helicopter$” tease by releasing the official video for the track, a previously surfaced version of which featured Playboi Carti. Credited as director is Dan Streit, who also co-wrote the new video with Rocky.
“Helicopter$” takes flight in the wake of “Punk Rocky,” which saw Rocky enlisting Winona Ryder for a video he co-directed alongside Folkert Verdoorn and Simon Becks. Ryder wasn’t the only frequent Tim Burton collaborator to make an appearance, as the Edward Scissorhands and Beetlejuice alum was also joined by composer Danny Elfman, whose past work with the filmmaker is extensive.
Burton, in fact, has his touch all over the Don’t Be Dumb rollout. Rocky has been vocal about the level of influence the filmmaker has had on his current chapter, ultimately bringing him in to handle cover art for what marks his first new album in nearly eight years.
Announced Monday in the run-up to the “Helicopter$” video drop was that the song, like “Punk Rocky” before it, had been tapped by ESPN. The song serves as the soundtrack for the network’s College Football Playoff National Championship game spot.
Don’t Be Dumb, after years of pushbacks, is finally out Friday. Per sources, the album has already amassed an estimated 130,000 physical vinyl sales. It remains to be seen whether Morrissey, previously teased as being involved with the project, will indeed make an appearance.