ASAP Rocky closed his Don't Be Dumb tour with a theatrical, high-octane performance at Manchester's Co-op Live arena on Saturday night (September 5), a show that one critic has hailed as one of the best rap concerts of the year.
The 37-year-old rapper, real name Rakim Mayers, used spectacle and maximalism to refocus attention on his discography, which has often been overshadowed by his fashion ventures, legal troubles and relationship with Rihanna.
A dramatic opening and a masked entrance
With no opening act, the show began abruptly with an impromptu mosh pit sparked by a masked Rocky, flanked by dozens of rabble-rousers wearing makeshift balaclavas made from t-shirts. These figures, endearingly referred to as 'shirtheads' by Rocky, served as a barrier between him and overzealous fans.
At one point, Rocky had to warn an eager fan who tried to embrace him: “Don’t that again young man, don’t you ever do that again.”
The sight of a masked Rocky, dressed like a Call of Duty character orchestrating a sea of arms in the middle of a mosh pit, was striking. Even without knowing the newer songs, the energy was infectious. It was one of the strongest openings of any show this year.
Swat team motif and a helicopter set piece
Throughout the show, Rocky was followed by a 'swat team' that crept around the stage, pointing flashlights at the rapper. Their inclusion appeared to comment on the increased legal scrutiny Rocky has faced, including a 30-day jail sentence in Sweden in 2019 and an acquittal in 2025 on charges of allegedly shooting and assaulting a former friend, which could have carried a 24-year prison sentence.
A major set piece was a dazzling prop helicopter that Rocky mounted and rapped from, high above the crowd. It was a sight to behold, though anxiety-inducing given the Co-op Live's early difficulties, when an air conditioning unit fell from the gantry inside the venue. Fortunately, everything held up, and the rapper left fans with an iconic moment for the venue's history.
A career-spanning setlist
Close to 40 songs were played, with Rocky packing new material at the beginning before eliciting cheers with old favourites like Sundress, Fashion Killa, LSD, Everyday, F***ing Problem, Goldie and Lord Pretty Flacko Jodye 2. Deep cuts like Jukebox Joint and LvL also rang out in the arena, the latter released some 13 years ago.
There was even a nod to the infamous moment Liam Gallagher mistakenly referred to Rakim as 'Whatsapp Ricky' in a 2017 GQ interview. When a fan invoked the same name, Rocky responded: “WhatsApp Ricky, that’s funny.”
Not everything went smoothly. Momentum occasionally dissipated due to long intermissions; at one point, the music video for Swat Team was played in its entirety instead of Rocky performing it. Some songs were hard to hear, whether due to enunciation or the backing track being louder than the rapper. The song STFU, described as the worst on the album Don't Be Dumb, was also a low point.
But those moments were few. The show reflected 15 years of experience, with Rocky cutting the figure of a refined showman. “Manchester you don’t know how much I f***ing love you. I’ve been here for a decade and a half and it’s all because of you m*****f***ers,” he proclaimed.
You’ll be hard pressed to find a better rap show than ASAP Rocky’s this year.
