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Riot (Rowdy Pipe'n)

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"Riot (Rowdy Pipe'n)"
Single by ASAP Rocky
from the album Don't Be Dumb (intended)
ReleasedJuly 20, 2023
Genre
Length3:09
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
ASAP Rocky singles chronology
"Same Problems?"
(2023)
"Riot (Rowdy Pipe'n)"
(2023)
"Gangsta"
(2024)
Music video
"RIOT (Rowdy Pipe'n)" on YouTube

"Riot (Rowdy Pipe'n)" is a single by American rapper ASAP Rocky released on July 20, 2023. It was produced by Rocky himself, along with Pharrell Williams and Tyler, the Creator.

Background

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The song previously leaked in 2021.[1] It originally featured Tyler, the Creator, but he was cut from the final version.[2] ASAP Rocky performed an early version of the song on Amazon Music Live in December 2022.[3] Certain lyrics in the song have fueled rumors that Rocky and his partner Rihanna are married.[1][4][5][6][7][8][9][10]

The song was used in an advertisement for Beats Electronics, in which Rocky goes to buy diapers for his son, named Rza, at Rihanna's request.[10][11][12][13] It was shot and directed by Rocky in Tokyo and released alongside the song.[14]

Composition and lyrics

[edit]

The production begins with Pharrell's signature "four-beat" intro, followed by reverbed horn sounds[2][15] and an array of synthesizers.[15][16] In the chorus, ASAP Rocky interpolates the melody of "Smells Like Teen Spirit" by Nirvana and vows to speak out on what he believes in: "We grow, we learn and we live (Woo, woo) / I might start a riot (Woo, woo, woo) / We grow, we learn and we live (Woo, woo, woo) / Opposite of quiet (Woo, woo, woo)".[8] In the post-chorus, he details his fashion inspiration from wrestler Roddy Piper, who was known to wear kilts in the ring: "I just bought designer kilts, yeah, I Roddy Pipe it (Uh, uh) / I just put some BDs on my whip with lime green pipin' (Woo, woo, woo, woo, woo)".[2][8] His first verse is performed almost a minute into the song, starting with a shout-out to his "wife", who is believed to be Rihanna: "My wife is erotic, I'm smokin' exotic (Woo, woo) / My whip is exotic, my crib is a cottage (Woo, woo, woo) / A wholе lotta cheesy, we gettin' that cottage (Woo, woo) / A wholе lotta brains, I skipped out on college (Woo, woo, woo)."[2][8][9][16][17] Lyrically, Rocky brags about the expensive cars and clothes in his lifestyle[8] and questions his critics.[18] In the second verse, he continues to make references to Rihanna,[8] name-drops Brent Faiyaz,[16] and hints at a new collaboration with Rihanna.[8][9]

Music video

[edit]

An official music video was released on July 25, 2023. Directed by ASAP Rocky and his AWGE collective,[14] it finds Rocky riding through the streets of Kansas City in a massive tank as a marching mob of similarly dressed and masked people surround him,[12][13][19] pulling large blow-up statues behind him.[13] Rocky also shows off an array of cars, including a decorated Mercedes-Benz,[19][20] along with tanks and fighter planes,[20] handling business calls, representing his son RZA via a massive belt buckle,[19] promoting Rihanna's Fenty Skin brand,[20] throwing money all over himself in the street.[13]

ASAP Rocky worked with his stylist Matthew Henson and London designer Mowalola Ogunlesi on styling for the video. The clip shows him wearing a pixel Damier-patterned Louis Vuitton boilersuit courtesy of Pharrell, Gerrit Jacob's American flag gear, a 1996 parachute bomber jacket designed by Issey Miyake and paired with Bottega Veneta boots, a long, slick trench coat of the same brand paired with an Hermès bag, a Coucoubebe leather jacket reading "DUMB SHIT", and an anti-FIFA football jersey with "HUMAN RIGHTS" plastered across the chest created by Hattie Crowthe.[14][21]

Charts

[edit]
Chart performance for "Riot (Rowdy Pipe'n)"
Chart (2023) Peak
position
New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ)[22] 20
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[23] 36

References

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  1. ^ a b Williams, Kyann-Sian (July 21, 2023). "ASAP Rocky reignites Rihanna wedding rumours on 'Riot (Roddy Pipe'n)'". NME. Retrieved 16 August 2023.
  2. ^ a b c d Breihan, Tom (July 20, 2023). "A$AP Rocky – "Riot (Rowdy Pipe'n)" (Prod. Pharrell)". Stereogum. Retrieved 16 August 2023.
  3. ^ "ASAP Rocky Performs Song Riot Rowdy Pipe'n off his Album 'Don't Be Dumb'". YouTube. December 9, 2022. Retrieved 16 August 2023.
  4. ^ Renshaw, David (July 20, 2023). "A$AP Rocky hints at marriage to Rihanna on new song "Riot (Rowdy Pipe'n)"". The Fader. Retrieved 16 August 2023.
  5. ^ Carras, Christi (July 20, 2023). "Are Rihanna and ASAP Rocky married? In his new song 'Riot,' he seems to think so". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 16 August 2023.
  6. ^ Madarang, Charisma (July 20, 2023). "A$AP Rocky's New Song Hints at Rihanna Marriage Speculation". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 16 August 2023.
  7. ^ Squires, Bethy (July 20, 2023). "A$AP Rocky's New Song Fuels Rihanna Marriage Speculation". Vulture. Retrieved 16 August 2023.
  8. ^ a b c d e f g Degrazia, Leah (July 20, 2023). "A$AP Rocky Fuels Marriage Speculation On New Song "RIOT (Rowdy Pipe'n)"". Genius. Retrieved 16 August 2023.
  9. ^ a b c Bailey, Alyssa (July 21, 2023). "Why A$AP Rocky's 'Riot' Lyrics Sparked Rihanna Marriage Rumors Again". Elle. Retrieved 16 August 2023.
  10. ^ a b Cowen, Trace William (July 20, 2023). "ASAP Rocky Goes on Diaper Run in Beats Short Film for Pharrell-Produced "RIOT (Rowdy Pipe'n)"". Complex. Retrieved 16 August 2023.
  11. ^ Betancourt, Bianca (July 20, 2023). "For A$AP Rocky, Fatherhood Inspires Everything". Harpers Bazaar. Retrieved 16 August 2023.
  12. ^ a b Hynes, Hayley (July 25, 2023). "ASAP Rocky Brings Out The Tank For New "RIOT (Rowdy Pipe'n)" Music Video". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved 16 August 2023.
  13. ^ a b c d Mendelssohn, Jon (July 25, 2023). "A$AP Rocky Releases Music Video for "Riot (Rowdy Pipe'n)"". American Songwriter. Retrieved 16 August 2023.
  14. ^ a b c Silbert, Jake (July 25, 2023). "A List of Everything A$AP Rocky Wore in His 'RIOT' Video". Highsnobiety. Retrieved 16 August 2023.
  15. ^ a b Cole, Alexander (July 20, 2023). "ASAP Rocky Returns With Pharrell-Produced Banger "RIOT (Rowdy Pipe'n)"". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved 16 August 2023.
  16. ^ a b c Bernstein, Elaina (July 20, 2023). "A$AP Rocky Drops "Riot (Rowdy Pipe'n)" Single". Hypebeast. Retrieved 16 August 2023.
  17. ^ Corrine, Amber (July 20, 2023). "A$AP Rocky Continues To Hint At Marriage In New Song "Riot (Roddy Pipe'n)"". Vibe. Retrieved 16 August 2023.
  18. ^ Powell, Jon (July 20, 2023). "ASAP Rocky returns with new single "RIOT (Rowdy Pipe'n)"". Revolt. Retrieved 16 August 2023.
  19. ^ a b c Powell, Jon (July 25, 2023). "ASAP Rocky drops off energetic visual for "RIOT (Rowdy Pipe'n)"". Revolt. Retrieved 16 August 2023.
  20. ^ a b c Caraan, Sophie (July 26, 2023). "A$AP Rocky Leads an Army in "RIOT (Rowdy Pipe'n)" Music Video". Hypebeast. Retrieved 16 August 2023.
  21. ^ Davidson, Emma Elizabeth (July 27, 2023). "Meet the rising designers A$AP Rocky reps in new 'RIOT' video". Dazed Digital. Retrieved 16 August 2023.
  22. ^ "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. July 31, 2023. Retrieved August 16, 2023.
  23. ^ "ASAP Rocky Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved August 16, 2023.