After an eight-year hiatus that feels like a lifetime in the fast-paced world of hip-hop, A$AP Rocky has finally returned with his fourth studio album, 'Don't Be Dumb'. The record marks the rapper's most significant musical statement since his acclaimed 2013 debut, presenting a charismatic and playful artist who has navigated fatherhood, acting, and legal battles in the interim.
A Lifetime Between Albums
The gap since Rocky's last album, 2018's 'Testing', is stark. In that time, the landscape of rap has shifted dramatically, with peers like Kanye West releasing multiple projects. Rocky, however, has remained in the public eye for other reasons. His high-profile relationship with pop icon Rihanna, with whom he now has three children, has kept him a press mainstay. He also faced a serious legal challenge, being acquitted last year of charges related to firing a gun at a former friend, an ordeal that could have resulted in up to 24 years in prison. Concurrently, he built a credible acting career, starring in projects like the dark comedy 'If I Had Legs I'd Kick You' and Spike Lee's 'Highest 2 Lowest' alongside Denzel Washington.
Navigating a Musical Crossroads
'Testing' left Rocky at a creative junction. While it yielded the hit 'Praise the Lord (Da Shine)' featuring Skepta, its experimental leanings received a mixed reception, leaving fans and critics wondering about his next move. 'Don't Be Dumb' attempts to bridge the divide, excising the more ponderous avant-garde elements of its predecessor while reigniting the fiery, provocative attitude that made his early work so compelling.
The album, which runs for an hour, feels brash and energetic. It boasts an eclectic guest list, from cinematic composer Hans Zimmer and fellow rapper Tyler, the Creator to indie folk artist Jessica Pratt. Yet, throughout, Rocky remains the undeniable star, his signature charisma serving as the project's driving force.
Highs, Lows, and Fatherhood
The album's strengths lie in its playful confidence. Tracks like 'Stole Ya Flow', a pointed diss aimed at Drake, succeed because Rocky sounds like he's thoroughly enjoying himself. On 'Playa', he adopts an almost avuncular tone, offering specific, if callous, romantic advice. 'Air Force (Black Demarco)' showcases a bold beat-switch from glitchy rap to stoned psych-rock, feeling like a sly retort to critics of his previous experimental phase.
However, the album is not a complete slam dunk. Some lyrical moments feel lazy, such as a tired observation about people seeking 'blue checks' on social media—a line that starkly reminds listeners Rocky is now a father in his mid-thirties. On the Gorillaz collaboration 'Whiskey', his delivery occasionally slips into lethargic free association, threatening to derail the track's momentum. The album's hour-long runtime also means it carries some flab, where a tighter edit could have amplified its impact.
Despite these inconsistencies, 'Don't Be Dumb' stands as Rocky's most coherent and enjoyable album in over a decade. It captures an artist who has matured through life's trials but hasn't lost his essential, mischievous spark. For fans left bewildered by 'Testing', this record offers a welcome return to form, proving that after eight years, A$AP Rocky's musical instincts remain potent, if occasionally unfocused.
