The wait is finally over. After 602 merch drops, 83 brand deals, countless singles, starring in his very own movie, and becoming the newest face of Chanel, the heavily anticipated fifth studio album from A$AP Rocky titled Don’t Be Dumb has finally hit the shelves. Initially scheduled to drop August 2024, the long-awaited and steadily teased addition to Rocky’s discography is full of unique features and rhythmic switch-ups that hook the listener from the very first listen.
The 15 song album, with an additional four songs on a second disc, is full of both experimental tracks and the classic A$AP rap that we know and love. Rocky kicks off Disc 1 with a hypnotic melody that sounds similar to the feeling that you get when you watch an old 1970s TV show. The first few songs feature a more modern take on Rocky’s deep rap game with songs like “HELICOPTER,” “STOLE YA FLOW,” “NO TRESSPASSING,” and “STOP SNITCHING.” “HELICOPTER” brings the heat with an electric beat that immediately places you in an intense helicopter battle scene. Rocky maintains the energy in “STOLE YA FLOW,” one of the catchiest songs on the album—which also features an intense beat, and a not-so-subtle diss at Drizzy Drake. The latter two songs accentuate the album’s modern rap vibe and bring a noticeable pivot in the cadence.
“STAY HERE 4 LIFE” is loaded with R&B high hats, making it feel more like a Brent Faiyaz song with an A$AP Rocky feature. Nonetheless, it has a catchy flow that encapsulates that sunny-day feeling we’re all searching for this winter.
Rocky claimed the album would feature five different genres, and while they weren’t as prevalent as we would’ve liked, he did deliver, specifically on tracks like “PUNK ROCKY,” “ROBBERY,” and “DONT BE DUMB/TRIP BABY.” “ROBBERY” featuring Doechii especially stood out for its lascivious lyrics and jazz-rap tempo. The first lead single for the album, “PUNK ROCKY,” is reminiscent of Rocky’s famous “Sundress,” and suitingly features elements of mellow rock with strong drums and heavy bass. The first half of “DON’T BE DUMB/TRIP BABY” is one of our favorites, bringing back the genre that Rocky himself created: cloud rap. With astounding production, this song immerses you in its deep and emotional lyrics. However, the second half is slightly disappointing: the bland melody plays in stark contrast to the first half’s dreamy tone. “STFU,” “THE END,” and “WHISKEY (RELEASE ME)” all gave us heavy “Utopia” vibes, bringing new sounds to Rocky’s discography with a variety of voices from will.i.am to Gorillaz and Westside Gunn.
While at times very experimental, the album is still full of that old A$AP vibe from some of his earlier projects. “STOP SNITCHING” and “AIR FORCE (BLACK DEMARCO)” are reminiscent of 2016 A$AP Mob, and so are the first two songs on Disc 2: “SWAT TEAM” and “FISH ‘N STEAK (WHAT IT IS)” which features a classic-feeling Tyler The Creator verse.
This album is full of hits that only get better the more we listen to them. So we have determined that yes, Don’t Be Dumb was worth the eight-year wait.
