Rapper, producer and fashion icon A$AP Rocky released his first full-length album in seven years, Don’t Be Dumb, on Friday, Jan. 16. The album features 19 new tracks rooted in hip-hop with aspects of jazz, indie rock and alternative genres. 

Never shying away from stardom, he continued performing at various music festivals like Camp Flog Gnaw and Lollapalooza in 2025, and released smaller projects, including his singles “HIGHJACK,” featuring Jessica Pratt, and “Tailor Swif.” Rocky even made a dent in the film world, acting alongside stars like Spike Lee in “Highest 2 Lowest” and Rose Byrne in “ If I Had Legs I’d Kick You,” both released in 2025. 

Likewise, he co-chaired the 2025 “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style” themed Met Gala next to Louis Hamilton, Colman Domingo, LeBron James, Pharrell Williams and Vogue Editor-In-Chief Anna Wintour, where he designed his own outfit for the event. 

His fourth studio album came strung with alluring features. It includes visuals designed by the critically acclaimed filmmaker and animator Tim Burton, and visualizer music videos for each song featuring Rocky with different animated graphics to engage listeners in each song’s narrative.

Starting strong, his lead single “Punk Rocky” was released on Monday, Jan. 5. With its hypnotizing vocals and optimistic drumbeat redolent of a more alternative genre, the track’s overall vibe is reminiscent of his single “Sundress,” a fan favorite. Along with the song’s debut, Rocky simultaneously released a music video featuring actress Winona Ryder, where viewers see Rocky disputing with police through multiple storylines, feeding into the song’s “punk” aspects.

So far, 10 songs off the album have reached the Billboard Hot 100 chart, with the whole album currently No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart.

Throughout the album’s tracks, Rocky is not scared to stir the pot, openly calling out rappers he’s collaborated with. On track four titled “STOLE YA FLOW,” he takes some not-so-subtle shots at Drake, singing, “Stole my flow, so I stole ya b—,” referencing Rocky’s relationship with singer Rihana, who previously had a relationship with Drake. 

Playing into the project’s use of various genres, including hip-hop, jazz and alternative, the standout song “ROBBERY” features Doechii, a breakout star who was awarded Rap Album of the Year at last year’s Grammy Awards. With smooth jazz beats layered beneath Rocky and Doechii’s flow, the song masterfully intertwines the two genres through its production that includes classic jazz elements: soulful piano and warm bass. 

Despite having 19 tracks, Rocky ceased to sacrifice quality for quantity, with each song contributing to the album in some shape or form. Without redundancy, songs varied in composition, ranging from the interlude “INTERROGATION (SKIT),” which provides a captivating transition between tracks, to “STAY HERE 4 LIFE,” featuring Brent Faiyaz, adding an R&B aspect with Faiyaz’s alluring vocals and a lively, atmospheric rhythm.  

Track 11, “AIR FORCE (BLACKDEMARCO),” felt somewhat misplaced due to its bass-heavy beat and muffled lyrics. Although it settles into a slow-paced dark vibe about a minute in, it eventually speeds back up. This track will appeal to listeners who are nostalgic for the popular 2016 rap sound, which shares many of these characteristics. 

Overall, the new project undoubtedly serves as an excellent experimental addition to Rocky’s discography and to the hip-hop and rap genres as a whole. The seven-year wait between this project and his last album, TESTING, proved well worth the wait. So “don’t be dumb,” and give A$AP’s newest album a listen.