A$AP Rocky takes a Stranger Things approach at his album building with the enlistment of actress Winona Ryder for Don’t Be Dumb‘s latest single, “Punk Rocky.”
On Friday, Jan. 2, the Harlem rapper teased the project’s next single, offering a glimpse into what appears to be a darker, punk-inspired turn for the release. Ryder-starring visual follows the anticipated finale of the popular Netflix series.
The teaser surfaced on Instagram and immediately set an unsettling tone. Model and actor Brooks Ginnan appears standing alone in the middle of an empty street, an oxygen tube resting against his face. The imagery feels stark and uncomfortable at first.
As the instrumental drops, the mood shifts. Ginnan breaks into dance, signaling a release of tension and hinting at the sonic direction Rocky is exploring.
Ryder’s inclusion adds weight to the moment. The veteran actress plays the mother of a ragtag group of kids in the Netflix series, who discover another world beneath their city. Her presence suggests Rocky is tapping into punk’s rebellious visual legacy as much as its sound.
Folkert Verdoorn, Simon Becks, and Rocky himself direct the video. Rocky’s involvement behind the camera underscores his long-standing interest in visuals as an extension of his music, rather than a secondary component.
A$AP Rocky Calls On Stranger Things’ Winona Ryder For Don’t Be Dumb’s “Punk Rocky”
“VIDEO OF THE F**KIN YEAR!!! HAPPY NEW YEAR,” Rocky wrote in the caption. He also confirmed the single’s release date. The track is scheduled to drop Monday, Jan. 5. Fans quickly flooded the comments section with excitement.
Many viewers recognized Ginnan from appearances in previous JPEGMAFIA videos and Edward Skeletrix’s “Congratulations.” Others focused squarely on Ryder’s casting. “Starring Winona Ryder??? You snapped,” one fan wrote. Another added, “Wait, WINONA RYDER???? Oh my Godddd.”
Don’t Be Dumb is expected to feature 15 tracks, along with two bonus songs. Rocky confirmed that structure late last year. Still, the final tracklist remains unknown. It is unclear whether earlier releases like “pray4dagang” or “Ruby Rosary” featuring J. Cole will appear on the album.
According to a special-edition vinyl description from Bilt, Don’t Be Dumb “moves through genres the way you’d move through a city.” Beyond its hip-hop core, the project is said to explore jazz, metal, indie, and R&B influences.
With “Punk Rocky,” A$AP Rocky continues to reject predictability. Each teaser points toward an album built on creative risk, cultural crossover, and controlled chaos. Fans won’t have to wait long to hear what comes next.
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