“Don’t Be Dumb” was released Jan 16. The last time A$AP Rocky released an album was in 2018. A$AP Rocky is popular for how his projects sound. For how long it took for this album to release, as it was announced to be 2025 music, it built hype to see if this project was worth the wait.
“Don’t Be Dumb” is an experimental hip-hop album that blends multiple genres including jazz, hip-hop, metal and R&B, something not seen often. The cover includes a highly expressive artwork created by filmmaker Tim Burton.
The first track, “ORDER OF PROTECTION,” gives you a unique look into how the album will sound. It is a pumped-up hip-hop song, but throughout the song is instrumental. You hear a drum, adding depth to how it sounds.
“STOLE YA FLOW” showcases a beat impossible to predict or recreate, something A$AP Rocky perfects on this album. The high tempo, metal inspired instrumentals on this record mesh perfect with A$AP Rocky’s rapping. Listening to the album in order you will go through it and experience going from high tempo to an R&B inspired song, and it works.
From “STOLE YA FLOW” you go to “STAY HERE 4 LIFE,” featuring Brent Faiyez. Brent Faiyez’s music performance heavily relies on his vocals and flow, and it works perfectly. “NO TRESPASSING” is the best work on this album when it comes to the instrumentals. It embodies how unexpected this album can sound.
There are no rules to music. “PUNK ROCKY” shows it. You can tell how much his voice is mixed and processed to match the beat, it works beautifully. The track sounds like a psychedelic, surreal and mind-altering experience when it comes to music.
The experimental aspect of music is all over this album. “WHISKEY (RELEASE ME)” has one of the best beat switches in a while. The Gritty East Coast rapper Westside Gunn as well added a lot to the track.
“ROBBERY” does not match the album at all, as it’s the only track with a slow tempo on the album. Doechii, who was featured, has the worst verse on this entire album. She raps using a kissing sound, whichis not unique; it’s annoying and ruins the piano on the track, which is one of the most unique pieces of music on this project. Don’t skip this track through. The instrumental is still worth the listen.
“Don’t Be Dumb” consistently tries to sound unique. Jumping through sounds, you will hear things you have never heard before. It wasn’t perfect, because you cannot perfect it, which is why nobody has tried what A$AP Rocky has done with this project. It’s worth giving a listen, especially if you like hip-hop or want to hear something new.
