Highjack
"Highjack" (stylized in all caps) is a song by American rapper ASAP Rocky, released on August 2, 2024. The song was intended as the lead single from his upcoming fourth studio album, Don't Be Dumb; however, the song was not included on the album. Produced by Greg Kurstin, Jordan Patrick, Zach Fogarty, Hitkidd, and Car!ton, it features American musician Jessica Pratt. The song's background vocals are provided by Creed B Good and Jon Batiste, who sing during Pratt's performance.
| "Highjack" | ||||
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| Single by ASAP Rocky featuring Jessica Pratt | ||||
| Released | August 2, 2024 | |||
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| Length | 3:10 | |||
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| ASAP Rocky singles chronology | ||||
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| Jessica Pratt singles chronology | ||||
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"Highjack" (stylized in all caps) is a song by American rapper ASAP Rocky, released on August 2, 2024. The song was intended as the lead single from his upcoming fourth studio album, Don't Be Dumb; however, the song was not included on the album. Produced by Greg Kurstin, Jordan Patrick, Zach Fogarty, Hitkidd, and Car!ton, it features American musician Jessica Pratt. The song's background vocals are provided by Creed B Good and Jon Batiste,[1] who sing during Pratt's performance.[2]
Background
[edit]In an interview with Zane Lowe on Apple Music 1, ASAP Rocky spoke about his inspirations behind the song and collaborations:
I just love alternative. I love just different sounds and whatnot. [Jessica Pratt] kind of gave me this kind of Portishead meets Stevie Nicks vibe a little bit. Right. So I always fucked with her as a artist, and so I figured it was necessary to get her, Jon Batiste on this one, and kind of make it feel soulful to bring it on home in the outro.
With respect to the theme of the song, Rocky said:
I feel like the real is back man, and it's just like, this shit is for the taking. It's a hijack. Not only that, it's just we coming with a whole new aesthetic on everything, especially with German expressionism and the whole ghetto futurism grim thing. So that's just what the sound sounds like and whatnot. The sonics of it.[3]
Composition and lyrics
[edit]The production is composed of "floaty keyboards" with "tight, snappy drums"[4] and has been described as "sunny, spectral boom bap".[2] The song has been noted to be reminiscent of the music from ASAP Rocky's early career,[2][5] with a "fusion of melodic raps and dynamic sonic backdrop".[5] Lyrically, Rocky addresses recent events of his life[6] and successes. He repeatedly uses the phrase "like that", a reference to the song of the same name by Future, Metro Boomin and Kendrick Lamar, which has led to speculation that the song is dissing fellow rapper Drake.[4][7] The theory is further supported by the lyrics, "Don't compare that pussy boy to me (I don't like that) / Feelin' like I'm Sosa, Chiefie Keef (I don't like that) / Tired of them niggas sleepin' on me, I don't like naps / Niggas fuck around and stole the flow and y'all like that?"[8] Later on, Rocky raps about his influence in the rap industry,[8] referencing his song "Peso", fashion designer Raf Simons and ASAP Mob's song "Raf".[4][7] He ends his verse with mentions of pressures in his life, including people lusting after his wife Rihanna and his legal issues, following which Jessica Pratt sings from his point of view.[4]
Critical reception
[edit]Elias Andrews of HotNewHipHop wrote that Jessica Pratt "wisely plays to her strengths on the 'HIGHJACK' chorus. It's subtle yet catchy. ASAP Rocky does most of the heavy lifting here, and he proves up to the task."[7]
Charts
[edit]| Chart (2024) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ)[9] | 6 |
| US Billboard Hot 100[10] | 89 |
| US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[11] | 26 |
| US Rhythmic Airplay (Billboard)[12] | 13 |
| Chart (2025) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ)[13] | 21 |
Release history
[edit]| Region | Date | Format(s) | Label(s) | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | August 30, 2024 | Rhythmic crossover | RCA | [14] |
References
[edit]- ^ Zemler, Emily (August 2, 2024). "A$AP Rocky Teams Up With Jessica Pratt for Genre-Spanning Single 'Highjack'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 13 August 2024.
- ^ a b c Breihan, Tom (August 2, 2024). "A$AP Rocky – "Highjack" (Feat. Jessica Pratt)". Stereogum. Retrieved 13 August 2024.
- ^ "A$AP Rocky: "Highjack", New Album Don't Be Dumb, & Fatherhood | Apple Music". YouTube. August 2, 2024. Retrieved 13 August 2024.
- ^ a b c d Partridge, Ken (August 2, 2024). "A$AP Rocky Teams Up With Folk Artist Jessica Pratt For New Song "Highjack"". Genius. Retrieved 13 August 2024.
- ^ a b Caraan, Sophie (August 2, 2024). "A$AP Rocky Makes a Last-Minute Submission for Song of the Summer With "HIGHJACK"". Hypebeast. Retrieved 13 August 2024.
- ^ Powell, Jon (August 2, 2024). "ASAP Rocky teams up with Jessica Pratt for "HIGHJACK" single". Revolt. Retrieved 13 August 2024.
- ^ a b c Andrews, Elias (August 2, 2024). "ASAP Rocky And Jessica Pratt Make Magic On New Single "HIGHJACK"". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved 13 August 2024.
- ^ a b Diaz, Angel (August 2, 2024). "A$AP Rocky Calls Out Rappers Who 'Stole the Flow' on New Single 'Highjack'". Billboard. Retrieved 13 August 2024.
- ^ "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. August 12, 2024. Retrieved August 13, 2024.
- ^ "ASAP Rocky Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved August 13, 2024.
- ^ "ASAP Rocky Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved August 13, 2024.
- ^ "ASAP Rocky Chart History (Rhythmic Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved October 1, 2024.
- ^ "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. May 23, 2025. Retrieved May 23, 2025.
- ^ "Crossover - Your Radio Chart Previews". Hits. 14 May 2024. Retrieved 20 May 2024.