Thanks to the ‘less is more’ approach to the instrumentation, Rocky slips straight into the pocket and stays there, his voice springboarding off sprightly synths. If you’re across Thundercat’s catalogue, you’ll recognise these keystrokes, an ingredient definitely sprinkled in with his direction. I feel like the reason “PLAYA” hits is because it taps into the swag and bravado Rocky brought from the jump when he announced himself to the world with LIVE. LOVE. ASAP.
In the final minute, the style flips…lurching into a slow-mo acoustic section where the chords play in reverse. The effect is like the track is melting in on itself, as Rocky’s chopped vocal “Is you mine shawty? Come kiss me” loops continuously. For me, the outro feels like a small ode to his superstar wife, as he’s still coming to terms with the fact that Rihanna really is his.
Throughout the Don’t Be Dumb album rollout (spearheaded by Tim Burton), Rocky has appeared in animated form, running amok through a digitised New York. Looking like a gangster straight out of Grand Theft Auto (the sort you end up doing nefarious side quests for), he prances around looking ever-so smooth as a chopper flies low overhead.
Bump this in a vehicle soon.
