Album Review // A$AP Rocky // Don't Be Dumb
3/5 stars
While a solid project overall, Don't Be Dumb leaves listeners wondering if its ends justify its means. Calling the lead-up to A$AP Rocky's fourth studio album tumultuous would be an understatement: teasers for this project dating back to 2019 have kept fans in excruciating anticipation for new music. All of this nonsense came to a head in August 2024 when Rocky's label AWGE notified music retailers to start taking pre-orders for the album; however, as the anticipated date came and went, the release never materialized, leading to refunds and canceled orders. With sour tastes in their mouths, music listeners felt little when Rocky announced that Don't Be Dumb would be released in January 2026. On this occasion, though, the rapper who cried wolf was right. Marketed as a medley of Rocky's different personas, Don't Be Dumb is an eclectic mix of hip-hop experimentation. While it has its fair share of in-line bangers like "Helicopter," the project is at its best when it pushes boundaries. Take "STFU" for example: a pulse-pounding melding of electronic production and abrasive punk-laden vocal delivery. "Robbery" is another standout as Rocky and collaborator Doechii detail a bank heist led by cafe jazz-backed instrumentation. That being said, the album's delays have blunted some of its lyrical impact. In particular, "Stole Ya Flow," a hard-hitting diss against fellow rapper Drake – was first performed live in 2022. However, in a post-Kendrick Lamar world, this song feels tame in comparison to what came before. Despite its highs, Don't Be Dumb did not require seven years of development.
