A$AP Rocky's Highly Anticipated Return, Don't Be Dumb, Is a Mixed Bag of Charm and Disappointment
Eight years is an eternity in the world of hip-hop, where A-listers such as Rocky's collaborator Tyler, the Creator are constantly pushing out new music. It's been that long since Rocky released his third album, Testing, which was met with lukewarm reception from critics and fans alike. In contrast to West's prolific output, Rocky has taken a more laid-back approach, leveraging his high-profile relationship with Rihanna and acting career to stay in the public eye.
Rocky's latest effort, Don't Be Dumb, attempts to bridge the gap between his experimental Testing and the straightforward sound that made him famous. While it succeeds in rekindling some of Rocky's signature charisma, it ultimately falls short of being a slam-dunk. The album is brash and fleet-footed, eschewing the avant-garde samples and singing from Testing in favor of a more energetic and playful vibe.
The guest list on Don't Be Dumb is impressive, featuring artists such as Hans Zimmer, Tyler, the Creator, and Jessica Pratt. However, Rocky remains the star of the show, and his presence alone makes the album worth listening to. Tracks like Stole Ya Flow, which doubles as a cheeky Drake diss, and Playa, which finds Rocky rapping with an avuncular tone, showcase the rapper's ability to craft catchy hooks and infectious beats.
Despite these high points, some sections of the album feel phoned-in lyrically, while others are overstuffed with production elements. The record's runtime feels a bit too long, suggesting that a more judicious edit would have improved the overall listening experience.
However, Don't Be Dumb is undoubtedly Rocky's strongest album since his debut, Long.Live.A$AP. He seems to have regained his sense of playfulness and swagger, which was noticeably absent from Testing. The album's moments of lethargy on tracks like Whiskey are mitigated by the overall sense of fun and energy that permeates the record.
Ultimately, fans who were underwhelmed by Testing can breathe a sigh of relief, as Don't Be Dumb represents a welcome return to form for A$AP Rocky. While it may not be a masterclass in hip-hop production or lyrical depth, it's an enjoyable listen that showcases Rocky's continued relevance and charisma.
Eight years is an eternity in the world of hip-hop, where A-listers such as Rocky's collaborator Tyler, the Creator are constantly pushing out new music. It's been that long since Rocky released his third album, Testing, which was met with lukewarm reception from critics and fans alike. In contrast to West's prolific output, Rocky has taken a more laid-back approach, leveraging his high-profile relationship with Rihanna and acting career to stay in the public eye.
Rocky's latest effort, Don't Be Dumb, attempts to bridge the gap between his experimental Testing and the straightforward sound that made him famous. While it succeeds in rekindling some of Rocky's signature charisma, it ultimately falls short of being a slam-dunk. The album is brash and fleet-footed, eschewing the avant-garde samples and singing from Testing in favor of a more energetic and playful vibe.
The guest list on Don't Be Dumb is impressive, featuring artists such as Hans Zimmer, Tyler, the Creator, and Jessica Pratt. However, Rocky remains the star of the show, and his presence alone makes the album worth listening to. Tracks like Stole Ya Flow, which doubles as a cheeky Drake diss, and Playa, which finds Rocky rapping with an avuncular tone, showcase the rapper's ability to craft catchy hooks and infectious beats.
Despite these high points, some sections of the album feel phoned-in lyrically, while others are overstuffed with production elements. The record's runtime feels a bit too long, suggesting that a more judicious edit would have improved the overall listening experience.
However, Don't Be Dumb is undoubtedly Rocky's strongest album since his debut, Long.Live.A$AP. He seems to have regained his sense of playfulness and swagger, which was noticeably absent from Testing. The album's moments of lethargy on tracks like Whiskey are mitigated by the overall sense of fun and energy that permeates the record.
Ultimately, fans who were underwhelmed by Testing can breathe a sigh of relief, as Don't Be Dumb represents a welcome return to form for A$AP Rocky. While it may not be a masterclass in hip-hop production or lyrical depth, it's an enjoyable listen that showcases Rocky's continued relevance and charisma.
! Don't Be Dumb is a mixed bag, but you can't deny the guy's energy 
. He's been out of the game for too long, so it's refreshing to hear him return with an album that's not entirely experimental (although some tracks are still weirdly cool 
). The guest list is insane, and I love how Rocky holds his own on most tracks 
. My only gripe is that the runtime feels a bit long - maybe he could've chopped off 20 minutes to make it shine even brighter 
. Still, fans of A$AP can rejoice; Don't Be Dumb is a welcome return to form 
.
! 8 years is a long time in the hip-hop game, but Rocky comes correct with this one 
. He's got that charm again, but also tries to experiment and push boundaries, which isn't always successful 
. The guest list is fire, btw 
. Don't get me wrong, Testing wasn't the best, but this one feels like a return to form for A$AP - more playfulness, less phoned-in lyrics 
. I'm loving the energy and fun vibes throughout! 
. Don't Be Dumb is definitely more energetic than Testing, but it's like he's trying to recapture that same magic without fully committing 
. The guest list is fire tho 
! The production is fire 
. The collabs with Hans Zimmer and Tyler, the Creator are genius moves 
. Sure, some tracks feel a bit meh lyrically, but overall, this album is a return to form for Rocky. It's like he's finally found his groove again 
. Don't be dumb and sleep on this one, trust me 
the guest list is fire tho but lets be real rocky's the main event and when hes on, hes ON 
what do u guys think of Don't Be Dumb?
Still, it's def a welcome return to form for Rocky, and fans who were meh on Testing can rejoice 
, but don't be dumb is still def a step in the right direction, i mean it's not like he went back to his old self or anything, he found this happy medium where he's still experimenting but also making music that's fun and catchy 
. gotta give props to tyler the creator and hans zimmer tho, they brought some fire tracks to the table 
.
. Still, it's an enjoyable listen that shows Rocky's still got it 
!
. I love how he's still got that swag and playfulness, especially on tracks like Stole Ya Flow 
. The album is like a masterclass in reinvention - it gets the experimental vibes from Testing but strips them down to their most playful and catchy bits. I mean, who doesn't love a good Drake diss on Stole Ya Flow?