A$AP Rocky Creative Director Owns “Shroom Clouds” Credit Failure

A$AP Rocky‘s creative director acknowledged that “Shroom Clouds” used work connected to Cache Bunny without credit, while the video’s original production team released a separate cut to show what it had delivered.

Gallardo took responsibility for failing to review AI assets, according to IndiaTimes, which reproduced his Instagram Story. He said protecting creators and their work fell within his job as creative director at AWGE.

“I want to address the concerns with the SHROOM CLOUDS music video directly. During production, a breakdown in our review process of AI-generated assets resulted in the unattributed use of work associated with @cache_bunny. As a Creative Director, my responsibility is to protect creators, respect their work, and safeguard the integrity of AEW. When shit like this happens, as the creative lead, I have to take accountability,” Gallardo said.

“I have reached out directly to @cache_bunny to start a conversation and resolve this matter appropriately. We are fully open to discussing proper attribution and potential collaboration whenever they are ready to connect,” he added.

He also said the team was willing to discuss credit and a possible collaboration. Director Aisultan Seitov and production company ProdCo addressed another part of the dispute: how the released video differed from their work.

ProdCo said it had finished its original version and handed it to the client in January 2024. The company said that cut did not contain the later AI shots, AI processing or the imagery at the center of the complaint.

The company said later editing and AI changes happened without its knowledge or Seitov’s consent. It also objected to the way its production role was credited.

Seitov and ProdCo released their director’s cut on October 27. ProdCo said the release showed the original collaboration between Seitov and Rocky and marked the end of its involvement with the project.

The original cut listed Rocky and Seitov as directors, with production from ProdCo and North of Now Films. Its effects credits included Mathematic and Silent Studios.

The footage dispute began with a 2019 piece by Cache Bunny and Ari Fararooy, featuring parkour athlete Jason Paul. Paul was filmed on a football field with a 360-degree camera, then Cache Bunny used visual effects to turn the setting into a tunnel.

Cache Bunny accused Rocky’s production of using that work without permission and replacing Paul with the rapper through AI. The artist pointed to matching grass and shadows in the two clips.

AllHipHop previously covered Paul’s response. He questioned how the footage made it into the finished video but said he didn’t blame Rocky personally.

Cache Bunny also asked why the team had not sought a license for the clip or made a new version based on the idea.