Running through almost 40 songs, Harlem-born rapper A$AP Rocky brought his Don’t Be Dumb tour to Houston Saturday night in a two-hour, action-packed tour de force. He filled the Toyota Center with flying helicopter props and used a megaphone for a microphone.
Don’t Be Dumb marks A$AP’s return to the center stage of hip hop after nearly eight years without releasing a full length studio album and features artists such as Doechii, Tyler The Creator and will.i.am from the Black Eye Peas.
During that time away Rocky never disappeared. He maintained himself as one of hip hop’s most visible cultural figures through fashion ventures, films such as Highest 2 Lowest starring Denzel Washington, creative direction, and becoming a father of three with fellow artist Rihanna.
The visual presentation immediately set the tone for the show, with mosh pits forming throughout the crowd as fans in the stands waved white shirts around as instructed on the song “Helicopter” where A$AP states “Take my white tee off, spin it like a helicopter”.
“I wanna play some Texas shit” Rocky announced as he performed his track “Stop Snitching” that also features Houston artist Sauce Walka.
A$AP has said many times that Houston’s hip hop influenced him heavily in his career. Houston hip hop is well known for its chopped and screwed sound with hazy melodies, which can be heard throughout Rocky’s music since his very first album.
“It all started in Houston Texas; Houston inspired my whole style” Rocky told the crowd. A$AP also shared an unreleased track titled “American Sabotage” that he performed with his music group the A$AP Mob.
Riot imagery was a theme seen throughout the entire show, with the focal point being a SWAT helicopter suspended over the general admission crowd carrying a black and white American flag hanging below it.
Don’t Be Dumb proved to be more than just a concert, becoming part riot, art instillation, and a homecoming for the Harlem rapper who has always shown love for Houston.