A$AP rocky releases new album “don’t be dumb”
Harlem native A$AP Rocky, a staple and pioneer of cloud rap in the early 2010s, has broken a long-lasting silence that included an 8-year hiatus from his last album.
Following years of rumors, delays, and isolation from his fanbase. Rocky shocked the world as he officially released his fourth studio album, “Don’t Be Dumb,” on Jan. 16, a 59-minute listen consisting of 14 songs, a skit and two bonus tracks.
Known consistently for his unique style of southern trap and psychedelic sounds mixed with traditional East Coast lyricism, fans wondered how he would branch off from this with his new project.
Not only was “Don’t Be Dumb” a journey away from his traditional sound, but it was a testament not only to Rocky’s abilities as a rapper but as an artist in general.
The tracklist bounced between genres, with Rocky seemingly adapting to every feature and beat he encountered.
Tracks such as “Stole Ya Flow” and “Stop Snitching” introduced a rage sound that is rather unfamiliar with Rocky, lead single “Punk Rocky” left a blend of indie rock with Rocky’s traditional styles, and tracks such as “No Trespassing” and “Swat Team” were a fusion of distinct experimental sounds and flows.
The crown jewel in the album came in the form of “Stay Here for Life”. An atmospheric and introspective cut that featured hypnotic Brent Faiyaz vocals.
Other features on the album were short but sweet, with highlights including a verse from Tyler, The Creator, background vocals from The Gorillaz and will.i.am, and narration from Thundercat.
The inconsistency and lack of a sonic theme within the production and tracklist may be a point to criticize, but Rocky makes it very clear where his intentions lie in this project. Throughout the album, Rocky references his life as a husband and father notioning himself as someone who wants to diverge from strictly being a rapper.
The album is not meant as a perfectly-constructed conceptual masterpiece, but more so as a blend of experiments that Rocky believes he can tackle to expand himself as an artist.
While the project contains a good portion of misses and a relative lack of consistent rapping performances compared to his other work, it still proves to be a standout album.
“Don’t Be Dumb” was a perfect way to kick off a year in music, earning an 8/10 rating and is definitely worth the listen.
