What Was ‘Right’ And ‘Wrong’ About ASAP Rocky’s ‘Don’t Be Dumb’

Fans and critics review Don’t Be Dumb with some praising ASAP Rocky while others critique his creative choices

ASAP Rocky has finally released his long-awaited fourth studio album, Don’t Be Dumb, eight years after his last project.

Since his last album release in 2018, Rocky has remained a constant cultural presence with partner Rihanna and their three children, all while expanding beyond music into fashion and film. Rocky became Ray-Ban’s first-ever Creative Director and appeared in movies like If I Had Legs I’d Kick You and Spike Lee’s film Highest 2 Lowest.

“This album is what 2011 Rocky would be making in 2026,” Rocky told The New York Times.

Inspired by filmmaker Tim Burton, Rocky enlisted Burton to illustrate the album’s artwork and bring at least five of the six alter egos of Rocky to life, with “Rocky himself portraying GR1M, Tommy Revenge as RUGAHAND, Thoto as BABUSHKA BOI, the Williams twins as SHIRTHEAD and DUMMY,” according to a press release. 

Don’t Be Dumb is a shot at rivals like former friend Drake, experimentation across genres, and a lean into a playful charisma reminiscent of why Rocky became a breakout star, is the current king of New York rap, and will be the future king of New York rap.

The album featured some real standouts, with versatile soundscapes, genre-spanning hip-hop, indie, R&B, jazz, and metal, and standout production choices. Additionally, it is a fun listen featuring many artists, including Brent Faiyaz, Tyler, the Creator, Damon Albert of Gorillaz, Doechii, and Will. I. Am, Jessica Pratt, and many others. Rocky drew good, bad, and ugly reactions to his new album.

While some listeners praised the Harlem creative, others felt the album fell short, calling it hardly a slam-dunk. 

Critics argued that some songs had weak or rushed lyrics, were weighed down by too many production elements, sharper moments were followed by lyrics that felt lazy, or that his laid-back energy was so strong it threatens to sink the whole record. 

The album’s energy can dip at times, with songs like “Punk Rocky” that felt unoriginal. On “On Air Force (Black Demarco),” the track raps over a harsh, glitchy-heavy beat that feels more at home on a Playboi Carti album than his own, before the song switches into a stoned, psychedelic rock sound. While the contrast shows the artist’s experimental side, some fans don’t feel it best suits his style. 

With eight years to produce an album, many fans expected more from the artist, but overall, the album was enjoyed by many fans.

Don’t Be Dumb is projected to debut at No.1 on the Billboard 200 with over 34 million Spotify streams on day one and $200 thousand in first week sales.

Among the album’s highlights, Rocky delivers some of his best songs, including “Robbery” featuring Doechii, a playful heist narrated over smooth jazz-backed rapping despite some critics finding Doechii’s performance overly theatrical; “Stay Here 4 Life” featuring Brent Faiyaz, a reflective track capturing the romantic tone of Rocky’s relationship with Rihanna; and “Playa” featuring Thundercat, one of his strongest songs experimenting with sounds while delivering a flow fans know and love.

Overall, fans loved ASAP Rocky’s long-awaited album, finding it both enjoyable and fun. Rocky’s creativity and confidence in experimenting with different sounds and genres, from smooth jazz-infused raps to psychedelic rock, indie, R&B, and beyond, showcases his versatility while maintaining the playful charisma that originally made him a standout in hip-hop.