After an eight-year wait, A$AP Rocky has returned with his fourth studio album, Don’t Be Dumb. While the rapper has stayed in the public eye for his relationship with Rihanna, his fashion ventures, and high-profile court cases, fans have eagerly anticipated new music from the New York-born artist.
The 17-track album showcases A$AP Rocky experimenting with multiple genres, including punk, trap, and indie. He also features collaborations with notable artists like Tyler, The Creator and Doechii. Adding a unique touch, filmmaker Tim Burton brings six of A$AP’s .
The lead single, Punk Rocky, comes with a psychedelic music video featuring Burton regulars Winona Ryder as a friendly neighbor and composer Danny Elfman on drums, creating a visually striking experience.
Critics have responded positively. NME’s Kyann-Sian Williams described the album as “mature, current, and reflective of A$AP Rocky as the man he is today.” Robin Murray from Clash gave it eight out of ten, praising its ambitious range, while The Guardian’s Shaad D’Souza rated it three out of five stars, calling it Rocky’s strongest release since his 2013 debut, Long. Live. ASAP, though he noted some lyrics feel lazy at times.
Fans have mixed reactions. Some wanted a completely new direction, finding parts of the album safe, but most agree the energy. The album also marks a departure from the experimental tone of 2018’s Testing.
A$AP Rocky’s personal life has seen significant changes since his last release. He and Rihanna, who began dating in 2021 after years of friendship, are now parents to three children: RZA (born May 2022), Riot (born August 2023), and Rocki (born September 2023). Rihanna does not feature on the album, and A$AP has not commented on future parenting arrangements related to her music.
Despite these setbacks, he has pursued acting roles, appearing in Spike Lee’s Highest 2 Lowest alongside Denzel Washington and the dark comedy If I Had Legs I’d Kick You.
Don’t Be Dumb reflects A$AP Rocky’s personal growth and artistic evolution. With over a million Spotify pre-saves, the album is already generating buzz as one of the year’s major hip-hop releases.
