Highjack
by A$AP Rocky (featuring Jessica Pratt)

Album: released as a single (2024)
Charted: 89
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • "HighJack" is an unexpected collaboration with a collision of styles as A$AP Rocky's signature boisterous flow crashes into the warbling vocals of Californian astral-folk singer-songwriter Jessica Pratt.
  • Lyrically, the song is a self-assured Rocky affair. He flexes about his influence, referencing NBA legend Scottie Pippen, his own 2011 single "Peso," fashion icon Raf Simons, and A$AP Mob's anthem "RAF." But the braggadocio fades as he touches on the pressures of fame, mentioning the scrutiny on his relationship with Rihanna and his legal troubles. This is where Pratt takes over, offering her take on Rocky's point of view.

    "I feel like the real is back man, and it's just like, this s--t is for the taking," Rocky told Apple Music's Zane Lowe. "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."
  • Spicy speculation swirls around the track. Some fans and critics suspect "Highjack" might be a sneak diss aimed at Drake, Rocky's longtime rival. The repeated use of "like that" could be a reference to "Like That" by Future and Metro Boomin featuring Kendrick Lamar, the song that ignited the 2024 rap war between Drake and Kendrick.
  • Greg Kurstin, Jordan Patrick, Hitkidd, and Zach Fogarty crafted a beat for "Highjack" that marries airy keyboards with crisp, punchy drums. Their production harkens back to Rocky's early days, while still offering a fresh twist with melodic rapping and a dynamic backdrop.
  • The finishing touches come from Jon Batiste and Creed B Good, who add backing vocals to Jessica Pratt's ethereal performance. Pratt and Batiste also helped write the song.

    "I just love alternative," said Rocky. "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 f---ed with her as an 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."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

When Rock Belonged To Michelob

When Rock Belonged To MichelobSong Writing

Michelob commercials generated hits for Eric Clapton, Genesis and Steve Winwood in the '80s, even as some of these rockers were fighting alcoholism.

"Stairway To Heaven" Lawsuit: A Timeline

"Stairway To Heaven" Lawsuit: A TimelineSong Writing

Untangling the events that led to the "Stairway To Heaven" lawsuit.

Sending Out An SOS - Distress Signals In Songs

Sending Out An SOS - Distress Signals In SongsSong Writing

Songs where something goes horribly wrong (literally or metaphorically), and help is needed right away.

Robert DeLeo of Stone Temple Pilots

Robert DeLeo of Stone Temple PilotsSongwriter Interviews

Stone Temple Pilots bass player Robert DeLeo names the songs that have most connected with fans and tells the stories behind tracks from their Tiny Music album.

Charles Fox

Charles FoxSongwriter Interviews

After studying in Paris with a famous composition teacher, Charles became the most successful writer of TV theme songs.

Elton John

Elton JohnFact or Fiction

Does he have beef with Gaga? Is he Sean Lennon's godfather? See if you can tell fact from fiction in the Elton John edition.