A$AP Rocky has shared a series of video-game inspired artworks for new album ‘Don’t Be Dumb’.
‘Don’t Be Dumb’ was released earlier this month (January 16) and went on to top the UK Album Charts. The cover for A$AP Rocky’s first album in eight years was designed by acclaimed director Tim Burton but the rapper has also shared a number of artworks inspired by classic video games.
The single art for ‘Punky Rocky’ takes influence from iconic rhythm game PaRappa The Rapper, ‘Helicopter’ reworks Grand Theft Auto’s cover, ‘Air Force (Black Demarco)’ channels Dreamcast classic Crazy Taxi and ‘Stole Ya Flow’ pays homage to Syphon Filter.
Rap artist ASAP Rocky is using classic video game covers as inspiration for his new album artworks.
• Grand Theft Auto
• PaRappa the Rapper
• Syphon Filter
• Crazy Taxi
Pretty cool homage. pic.twitter.com/TK5R60DgZV
— KAMI (@Okami13_) January 25, 2026
The music video for ‘Helicopter’ also transforms A$AP Rocky into a video game character.
“In the run-up to this release, many expected an overtly autobiographical record, or something that copied modern trends like an oldhead trying to cling onto his youth – but that’s never been Rocky’s instinct,” NME wrote in a four-star review of ‘Don’t Be Dumb’.
“Where he once revelled in youthful excess, ‘Don’t Be Dumb’ reframes his Pretty Flacko swagger into something more gentlemanly. There are subliminal disses – some read toward Drake, others toward A$AP Relli – but they sit within the fabric rather than hijacking it. Ultimately, this is a more mature Rocky: suited, settled and self-assured. The bachelor’s grown up – and somehow, that hasn’t dulled his shine at all.”
Last week, A$AP Rocky announced details of a 2026 world tour. He’s set to play London in August before shows in Dublin, Glasgow and Manchester ahead of a European run. Tickets go on sale tomorrow (January 27) and can be found here.
In other news, Marvel’s Spider-Man actor Yuri Lowenthal has spoken out against ICE after Alex Pretti was shot and killed by officers.
The post A$AP Rocky shares video game-inspired album covers appeared first on NME.
