Rakim Mayers, better known as A$AP Rocky, has had three kids, avoided 24 years in prison, debuted as an actor, co-chaired the 2025 Met Gala and collaborated with PUMA — all before dropping his fourth studio album “DON’T BE DUMB” on Jan. 16. With 17 tracks, the New York rapper gave his fans not just the album he promised, but also a deep dive into his punky and witty music style. Full of references to his personal life and features of other artists, “DON’T BE DUMB” delivers everything fans have missed about A$AP Rocky since his last album from 2018.
“It’s been a lil’ while since I’ve been in the league” is the first line Mayers raps in his opening track, “ORDER OF PROTECTION,” referring to his lengthy break from music. Another line, “A couple lil’ trials, couple of leaks,” references his recent personal obstacles, including two felony assault charges that he was found not guilty of. The album is a collaboration with award-winning filmmaker Tim Burton, who helped design the cover art and direct the music videos. Mayers drew inspiration from Burton’s eerie and haunting style in many of his tracks. The cover art depicts stylized cartoon alter egos of Mayers, alluding to the assortment of genres every song could fall under.
Through bold switches between voices and melody, “DON’T BE DUMB” reveals a new side of A$AP Rocky. Variations in beats and instrumentals build up each song and make them startlingly memorable — from police sirens and uncanny voiceovers in “ROBBERY” to thunder in “ORDER OF PROTECTION.” Mayers also incorporates his own experiences of the past eight years, making the album personal and raw. The line “When are you and Rihanna? (Shut the f— up)” in the track “STFU” conveys his frustration toward the press and overbearing fans who pressure the rapper about his potential marriage and new music.
Energy is a vital factor in “DON’T BE DUMB.” It’s fiery and strong in songs like “STOLE YA FLOW” and “STFU,” carrying heavy beats and passionate lyrics that blend together into a catchy thrill. On the other hand, Mayer’s instrumentation and singing in “PUNK ROCKY” and “STAY HERE 4 LIFE” are extraordinarily gentle. Yet even in these tracks, which lean toward smooth R&B, the music still feels constantly alive, whether through jarringly blunt lyrics or a captivating melody.
What sets this album significantly apart from others are these extreme changes of genre. It happens not only in between tracks but also within them: the star point of “AIR FORCE (BLACK DEMARCO)” is a vibrant drop and the entrance of singer Spencer Sutherland, who initiates a flowy chorus. “DON’T BE DUMB / TRIP BABY” is also exactly what the slash in the title represents: two parts, one alluring and the other lively. Even the lyrics oppose each other: the first line — “I can see the sky cryin’ when your rain fall tears / Gotta close the windows when the wind blows, dear” — is heartfelt, while the switch leads to a fast-paced flow as Mayers raps, “Trips, roll the four, five, six, baby / Hundred G’s on the lick, baby, bet on me for the win.” These two contrasting tunes are sandwiched around an interlude of a monotone robot voice reciting, “Dumb, temporarily unable or unwilling to speak,” and hinting at the mood switch. But in other cases, the genre flips have no warning. At times, they can even feel like whiplash, with changes so abrupt they provide an unsettling discomfort.
Mayers made the album a bit all over the place. It’s a vast shelter for all types of tastes and generally braids them together seamlessly. Only a few weak points stand out — the songs can get lost in overwhelming jumbles of overlapping beats and lyrics. “ROBBERY” with Doechii tries to achieve a jazz sound with sultry lyrics and a role-played robbery interlude. Instead, it feels jarring and scrambled because there is too much going on. However, it’s important to note that no matter how unfamiliar a track is, there isn’t any part of the album that feels intolerable. Each track feels full of drive, whether through clean vocals or controversial lyrics or even just an interesting instrumental.
“Don’t Be Dumb” is ultimately A$AP Rocky’s passionate return to the music industry. The fast-paced style and constant switch in energy is what keeps the album remarkable and easy to listen to. At its core, it’s unpredictable — a compulsion to stay on the edge of one’s seat and skip absolutely nothing.
