A$AP Rocky Makes Long-Awaited ‘SNL’ Debut, Brings Thundercat & Danny Elfman to performance
Written by b87fm on 01/19/2026
A$AP Rocky finally made his long-awaited Saturday Night Live debut this weekend, pulling double duty as musical guest just one day after releasing his first studio album in eight years.
On Saturday, Jan. 17, the Harlem rapper appeared on SNL during an episode hosted by actor Finn Wolfhard. For his opening performance, Rocky delivered “Punk Rocky,” a standout track from his newly released album, Don’t Be Dumb.
True to form, Rocky didn’t settle for a standard live set. Instead, he recreated the anarchic energy of the song’s music video onstage. Wielding a microphone disguised as a megaphone and wearing pink curlers arranged into a faux-hawk atop his signature braids, the rapper performed in front of a staged garage scene. A swarm of dancers surrounded him, kicking trash and turning the stage into controlled chaos. Sharp-eyed viewers also spotted Thundercat on bass and Danny Elfman on drums. The performance ended theatrically when a muscle-bound figure stormed the stage, knocking out the dancers before “throwing” Rocky against the backdrop with a staged blow.
Later in the night, Rocky returned for a second performance, delivering a medley of “Helicopter” and the album’s title track.
Born Rakim Mayers, Rocky also appeared in a sketch during the episode. He joined Wolfhard in a segment centered on a teen-run snack podcast called Snackhomiez. The sketch featured cast members Chloe Fineman, Jane Wickline, and Veronika Slowikowska, with a surprise cameo from Sabrina Carpenter. During the bit, Rocky declared his own Rap Snacks Fashion Killa Dill Pickle as the “goated” snack of 2026.
Following the show, Rocky was photographed in New York City alongside his longtime partner Rihanna, who was on hand to support his SNL moment.
Saturday marked Rocky’s first appearance on SNL as a musical guest. He previously made a brief cameo in a 2018 sketch titled “Friendos,” hosted by Donald Glover, where he appeared in a therapist’s waiting room as part of a Migos parody alongside Chris Redd and Kenan Thompson.
Don’t Be Dumb arrived Friday, Jan. 16, via A$AP Worldwide and RCA Records, marking Rocky’s first full-length project since 2018. The album includes previously released singles “Punk Rocky” and “Helicopter,” both performed on SNL, and boasts an eclectic lineup of collaborators including Doechii, Gorillaz, Jon Batiste, Will.i.am, and Tyler, The Creator.
The project also makes a strong visual statement. Its cover art was designed by filmmaker Tim Burton, featuring six of Rocky’s signature personas illustrated in Burton’s unmistakable style.
Saturday Night Live airs Saturdays at 11:30 p.m. EST on NBC. Don’t Be Dumb is available now on all major streaming platforms and for purchase.
