By Azzam Bilal 
HangupsMusic.com – New York, The long-anticipated atmospheric soundscapes of Rakim Mayers, known globally as A$AP Rocky, have finally coalesced into the official release of "Shroom Clouds." After lingering in the vault for several years, the track represents a pivotal moment for the Harlem-born artist as he prepares to unveil the next major chapter of his career. Featuring guest appearances from Reggie and Jeremih, the single serves as both a nostalgic nod to Rocky’s experimental past and a bridge toward his upcoming full-length project, Don’t Be Dumb. The release, handled through A$AP Worldwide and RCA Records, marks the end of a long wait for fans who first heard snippets of the song during Rocky’s live circuits in 2021 and 2022.
The journey of "Shroom Clouds" from a live rarity to a polished studio release is emblematic of Rocky’s meticulous, often unpredictable, creative process. Originally debuted under the title "Mushroom Clouds," the track became a staple of his festival sets during the post-pandemic return to the stage. For many listeners, the song’s hazy, ethereal production and introspective lyricism felt like a natural evolution of the "cloud rap" subgenre that Rocky helped pioneer over a decade ago. However, as months turned into years, many feared the track would remain an unreleased relic, a casualty of the shifting priorities that often define high-profile album rollouts. Its sudden arrival in late 2024 suggests that Rocky is finally ready to clear the deck and invite his audience into the specific sonic world he has been building in the shadows.
Production on "Shroom Clouds" is handled by the duo of Sleeping Bear and Hector Delgado. Delgado, a long-time architect of the A$AP sound, has been instrumental in shaping the gritty yet psychedelic aesthetic that defines Rocky’s best work. Together with Sleeping Bear, Delgado crafts a backdrop that is both expansive and intimate. The song utilizes a blend of organic instrumentation and warped digital textures, creating a sense of weightlessness that justifies its title. The addition of Reggie and Jeremih adds layers of melodic complexity that were absent in the earlier live versions. Jeremih, a veteran of contemporary R&B known for his impeccable vocal control, provides a smooth, soulful counterpoint to Rocky’s laid-back delivery, while Reggie contributes a raw, grounded energy that keeps the track from drifting too far into the avant-garde.
In a revealing conversation with Billboard, Rocky provided crucial context for where "Shroom Clouds" fits within his larger body of work. He identified the single as the first offering from Don’t Be Dumb – Disc 2. This distinction is significant, as it hints at a dualistic or multi-layered structure for his upcoming album. According to Rocky, this second installment is designed as a sanctuary for the various "alter egos" he has inhabited over the years. He explained that these characters and stylistic tangents often produce music that doesn’t necessarily fit the narrative arc of a traditional studio album. By creating "Disc 2," Rocky is effectively curating a space for his more experimental or orphaned tracks to exist within a cohesive framework, allowing the "next chapter" of his primary artistic identity to begin with a clean slate.
The concept of alter egos is nothing new for the man who has dubbed himself "Lord Flacko," "Pretty Flacko," and the "Babushka Boi." Since his debut with Live. Love. A$AP, Rocky has been a stylistic chameleon, blending the swagger of New York hip-hop with the slowed-down aesthetics of Houston’s "chopped and screwed" scene and the high-fashion sensibilities of European runways. "Shroom Clouds" feels like a culmination of these influences. It is a track that prioritizes mood and texture over traditional radio-friendly structures, leaning into the "trippy" visuals and auditory hallucinations that have become a hallmark of the AWGE creative collective Rocky leads.
The release comes at a time when the hip-hop community is arguably more hungry for a full A$AP Rocky project than ever before. It has been over six years since his last studio album, Testing, was released in 2018. While that project received a polarized reception upon arrival for its radical departure from his earlier sound, it has since aged into a cult favorite, praised for its willingness to take risks in an increasingly formulaic genre. In the years since Testing, Rocky’s life has undergone seismic shifts. He has transitioned into fatherhood, welcoming two sons with global icon Rihanna, and has navigated a series of high-profile legal challenges and fashion ventures. These life events have undoubtedly informed his perspective, yet "Shroom Clouds" suggests that his commitment to pushing the boundaries of sound remains unchanged.
The timing of the single also aligns with Rocky’s upcoming professional commitments. The artist is currently gearing up for a major tour across Australasia, a move that often signals the imminent arrival of a larger body of work. Touring is frequently used as a testing ground for new material, and with "Shroom Clouds" now officially in the wild, fans can expect it to be a centerpiece of his live performances. The song’s atmospheric quality is particularly well-suited for the large-scale, visually immersive stage designs that Rocky is known for, often involving intricate light shows and surrealist imagery that complement his psychedelic sonic palette.
Musically, "Shroom Clouds" stands as a testament to Rocky’s ability to curate talent. The inclusion of Reggie, an artist who has been bubbling under the surface of the mainstream for several years, highlights Rocky’s ear for unique voices. Reggie’s contributions provide a sense of urgency and soul that anchors the track’s more abstract elements. Meanwhile, Jeremih’s involvement ensures that the song maintains a level of polish and accessibility, bridging the gap between underground experimentation and contemporary R&B. This collaborative spirit is a defining feature of the A$AP Worldwide ethos, which has always prioritized the "mob" mentality—bringing together diverse talents to create something greater than the sum of its parts.
As the industry looks toward the release of Don’t Be Dumb, "Shroom Clouds" serves as a reminder of Rocky’s unique lane in the music industry. While many of his peers focus on high-velocity output and viral social media moments, Rocky continues to operate on his own timeline, prioritizing the "vibe" and the visual components of his art. His work with Hector Delgado continues to be one of the most fruitful partnerships in modern rap, resulting in music that feels timeless rather than trendy. By revisiting and finalizing a track that has been in his orbit for years, Rocky is showing a level of reverence for his own creative history, ensuring that no stone is left unturned before he moves into his next era.
The "Disc 2" revelation remains one of the most intriguing aspects of this release. While the official press release from RCA and A$AP Worldwide did not explicitly confirm the "Disc 2" branding, Rocky’s own words carry the weight of intent. If Don’t Be Dumb is indeed a multi-part experience, it could be his most ambitious undertaking to date. It suggests an artist who is no longer content with the constraints of a twelve-track LP, but rather someone looking to build an entire ecosystem of sound. For the fans who have followed him from the hazy days of "Peso" to the experimental heights of "LSD," "Shroom Clouds" is a welcome homecoming—a return to the smoke-filled, neon-lit world that only A$AP Rocky can inhabit.
As the Australasian tour approaches and the whispers regarding the full album grow louder, "Shroom Clouds" will likely be remembered as the moment the gears finally began to turn in earnest. It is a track that celebrates the journey as much as the destination, a piece of art that was allowed to breathe and evolve over several years before finding its final form. In an era of disposable digital content, Rocky’s insistence on the "long game" is a refreshing outlier, proving that some clouds are worth waiting for.
