By Mick Dillon / The Jambar
Rakim Mayers, known professionally as A$AP Rocky, released his fourth studio album Jan. 21. Coming in at 19 tracks with a runtime of 65 minutes, “Don’t Be Dumb” is Rocky’s longest album to date.
Hailing from Harlem, New York, Rocky was entrenched in the music and fashion scene from a young age. In 2007, Rocky joined hip-hop collective “A$AP Mob,” the acronym standing for “Always Strive and Prosper.”
After four years of releasing singles on YouTube, Rocky broke out with the 2011 hit, “Peso,” which debuted on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart and went on to achieve Recording Industry Association of America Platinum Certification in the U.S.
Since then, Rocky has released multiple albums with RIAA Double Platinum Certification, as well as receiving several Grammy Award nominations and multiple acting credits on films including “Dope” and “Highest 2 Lowest.”
Being teased online since 2023, “Don’t Be Dumb” was a highly anticipated album and the first full-length project Rocky has released since 2018.
The album moved 123,000 equivalent album units in its first week, securing the No. 1 spot on the Billboard 200.
Rocky keeps up his boundary-pushing style of bending genres and providing listeners with production heavy, psychedelic hip-hop on the new project.
The album kicks off with, “ORDER OF PROTECTION,” which uses a similar sample to the one used in 2016’s “Telephone Calls” with A$AP Mob and Tyler Okonma, known professionally as Tyler, The Creator.
With visuals historically being a large part of Rocky’s creative process, it was no surprise that the album rollout included two music videos before the project’s official release.
“PUNK ROCKY” was the first single released from the album and featured a music video with actress Winona Ryder, known personally as Winona Horowitz. The video depicts Rocky in classic punk-rock garb, teasing fans with one of the many genres listeners were slated to hear on “Don’t Be Dumb.”
“HELICOPTER” was the second single released before the album and was paired with a creatively pungent music video featuring Rocky’s signature style of hazy visuals that fans have grown accustomed to.
Songs such as “HELICOPTER” and “ROBBERY” featuring Jaylah Hickman, known professionally as Doechii, showcase Rocky’s signature touch of highly creative production paired with his gritty cadence and unique punchlines.
Doechii and Rocky tag teamed “ROBBERY” and provided listeners with a sonic waltz, as both artists glided over the jazzy piano beat.
The remainder of the album provides everything from hard-hitting, New York beats to dreamy, psychedelic flows over avant-garde production.
Earning over 35 million daily streams since its release, “Don’t Be Dumb” is sure to keep fans fed for the next decade, or however long it takes Rocky to release his next project this time around.