StonesJournal

A$AP ROCKY is BACK. What did he bring with him? Frankincense and Myrrh? Or another letdown from a big-time artist?

Written By: AJ Stone (1/18/26)

A$AP ROCKY has finally reappeared with his fourth studio album. We’ve heard mumblings for some time, and finally, some new music has surfaced. Rocky had fans on the edge of their seats with leak after leak, teasing DON’T BE DUMB for well over a year.

Unfortunately, DON’T BE DUMB continues the trend of big-time artists letting down their fans in the music industry. The SoundCloud era of hip-hop has long since passed, and its artists have faded into infamy alongside it. Formerly headlining names like Trippie Redd, Lil Uzi Vert, Ski Mask The Slump God, and many more have fallen into the backdrop. A$AP ROCKY might be on his way with DON’T BE DUMB.

This album didn’t feel like Rocky in his element. The soulful, cloudy production that we’ve come to know him by was nowhere to be found. Team that with the fact that some of these songs sounded completely thrown together, and you’ve got yourself a letdown of a project.

STFU headlined a grouping of songs that have no place in Rocky’s catalogue. A jumbled and clanky song that sounds like a reach. NO TRESPASSING and SWAT TEAM are both ‘middle school rap songs’ that 8th graders will swear are great tracks. Outside of those three, the rest of the album was quietly mediocre and didn’t have many high highs or low lows.

There were still a few songs that would hold their own within the totality of Rocky’s discography. STAY HERE 4 LIFE features a beautiful track from Brent Faiyaz, boasting a catchy hook and well-executed production, making it a rare standout on a track list that’s otherwise unengaging. DON’T BE DUMB / TRIP BABY also held its own, but slightly confused me. The first half of the song, DON’T BE DUMB, sounded like the A$AP ROCKY of old. The artist we’ve all been waiting for. Instead of splitting these songs up, he merged them. TRIP BABY was a solid excerpt, but could’ve fit better on disk two if Rocky disliked how it functioned on its own.

ROBBERY was the only song on this album that really intrigued me. The flow and the piano were very experimental and gave off a really unique vibe. Doechii continues her ascension to stardom with a great feature, and Rocky holds his own. I wish this album had more tracks like ROBBERY. Even if they don’t work quite right, I can respect experimentation in art.

Overall, this was a major letdown. Rocky had fans waiting for what felt like a millennium and didn’t live up to my expectations. He’s an unbelievable talent and has all the opportunities in the world to bounce back with another project. At this point in his career, he needs it.

TRACKLIST RATINGS:

1.  STAY HERE 4 LIFE (8.5/10)
2.  DON’T BE DUMB / TRIP BABY (8.5/10)
3.  ROBBERY (8/10)
4.  PLAYA (8/10)
5.  STOLE YA FLOW (7.5/10)
6.  PUNKY ROCKY (7/10)
7.  WHISKEY (RELEASE ME) (7/10)
8.  THE END (7/10)
9.  HELICOPTER (7/10)
10.  FISH N STEAK (WHAT IT IS) (6.5/10)
11.  ORDER OF PROTECTION (6/10)
12.  INTERROGATION (SKIT) (6/10)
13.  AIR FORCE (BLACK DEMARCO) (5.5/10)
14.  STOP SNITCHING (5/10)
15.  NO TRESPASSING (5/10)
16.  SWAT TEAM (4.5/10)
17.  STFU (4/10)

ALBUM RATING: 6/10