A$AP Rocky – “Don’t Be Dumb”

That extended wait wasn’t without reason. Rocky’s life shifted dramatically during the album’s development, from becoming a father of two to his highly publicised incarceration in Sweden, to continuing work with his A$AP Mob collective and becoming Ray-Ban’s Creative Director. Don’t Be Dumb is the product of a turbulent and transformative era in the US American rapper’s career. The question, then, is simple: after eight years of anticipation, did he deliver? In part, yes.

For longtime fans, there’s plenty here to love. Tracks like Helicopter, Stole Ya Flow, and Stop Snitching prove that Rocky hasn’t lost his ability to dominate a beat. His flows remain vicious and animated, packed with nonstop energy and sharp delivery. These moments feel like a return to form, reminders of why he became one of the most influential figures of his generation. Songs like Whiskey and Don’t Be Dumb lean into a surreal, atmospheric soundscape that remind us how influential his late 2010s run was. The hazy production and detached emotional tone highlight just how deeply the artist’s earlier work shaped the rise of cloud rap and the rage-inspired artists that followed. His influence in the current landscape of rap and hip-hop is undeniable.

But Don’t Be Dumb isn’t an overly nostalgic album. Rocky makes several attempts to push beyond his comfort zone. STFU embraces an industrial edge, with abrasive production and an aggressive delivery that goes further than any of his past high intensity tracks. Meanwhile, Punk Rocky attempts a psychedellic rock crossover, signaling his continued interest in pushing genres. It’s in the album’s second half, however, where the project begins to lose momentum. While many of the experimental ideas are intriguing, the execution often falls short. Concepts are introduced but not fully developed, leaving several tracks feeling more like demos than fully realised statements. That disconnect becomes the album’s central issue.

Rocky excels at what he’s always been good at: style, presence, flow, and atmosphere. But considering the massive rollout surrounding Don’t Be Dumb, including Amazon exclusive shows, elaborate visuals, and promotional material illustrated by Tim Burton, the end result doesn’t quite match the scale of its ambition. After nearly eight years of buildup, the riskier moments should feel more than just tentative ideas. We already know Rocky can demolish a beat; his scrapped singles showed us as much. What feels missing here is refinement. The experimental tracks hint at exciting directions, but they don’t yet feel fully lived in. With such long gaps between releases, it’s hard not to wish these ideas had been pushed further before reaching the final tracklist.

That said, Don’t Be Dumb isn’t a misstep; it’s a transitional album. That’s not to say that I think Rocky should abandon this style; the possibilities are there, and the ambition is evident. What’s needed now isn’t reinvention, but momentum, more releases, more chances to explore and evolve these sounds, more chances to dial in the sound he’s looking for.

Ultimately, Don’t Be Dumb is a must listen for A$AP Rocky fans. Most listeners will walk away with at least one or two standout tracks they return to repeatedly. The album hints at fascinating places the artist could go to next, and now, the hope is that we get to hear that version of him sooner rather than later.