After keeping fans waiting eight years for a new album, the New York-born hip-hop star has returned with his fourth studio project, Don’t Be Dumb.
The 17-track record explores a variety of genres, from punk and trap to indie, showcasing Rocky’s versatility.
Fans had been eagerly awaiting the album after years of delays and scattered single releases.
Don’t Be Dumb delivers 15 main tracks, two bonus songs, and features appearances from Brent Faiyaz, Doechii, and Westside Gunn, among others.
The album’s cover art is a collaboration with award-winning filmmaker Tim Burton and features six of Rocky’s signature personas brought to life in Burton’s distinctive style.
Rocky opens the album on “Order of Protection,” addressing last year’s civil assault trial and the leaks of songs ahead of Don’t Be Dumb. He also reflects on his relationship with pop superstar Rihanna, his fashion ventures, and the high-profile court case.
Rumours suggest the couple are expecting their fourth child.
NME’s Kyann-Sian Williams told BBC Newsbeat that the album “feels very grown, very mature, and very much what you would expect from A$AP Rocky as the man he is today. Nobody wants to wait eight years, but I feel like it’s really stood the test of time through all the changes. It still feels very current, very modern.”
The Guardian’s Shaad D’Souza gave the album three out of five stars, describing it as Rocky’s strongest work since his 2013 debut.
Rocky has been a central figure in blending the worlds of high fashion and street-level hip-hop.
However, his musical output slowed significantly following 2018’s Testing, as he pivoted toward fatherhood and high-level creative directing.
During this hiatus, Rocky’s persona shifted from a “pretty flacko” trendsetter to a global fashion icon and a devoted partner to Rihanna, creating a sense of mystery around whether he would ever return to the studio in a full-time capacity.
While his musical career was on pause, his legal battles frequently made international headlines.
Most notably, Rocky faced a high-stakes trial in Los Angeles involving allegations that he fired a semi-automatic handgun at a former friend and associate.
These legal entanglements, combined with the complexities of raising a young family in the public eye, created the heavy backdrop against which Don’t Be Dumb was written.
Rocky now seeks to reclaim his narrative after years of being defined more by the courtroom and the red carpet than by his music.