In early 2025, A$AP Rocky, rapper, fashion icon and longtime partner of music and beauty icon, Rihanna, was returned to his throne after nearly four years of bad publicity.
Last winter, Rocky stood trial for two felony assault charges and was acquitted of all charges. Now no longer daunted by the modern moral concern of whether we can separate music from the alleged awful actions of its creator, fans are free to enjoy his newest album. The ironically titled Don’t Be Dumb released this January.
But why were we scrutinizing him in the first place?
On trial
The incident in question took place outside of a Hollywood hotel in November 2021, where Rocky met up with A$AP Relli, another rapper and the alleged victim of the incident. The two men, united by their membership in New York hip-hop group A$AP Mob, are said to have argued before Rocky fired a gun. However, whether or not the gun was real or a prop from the set of a music video seemed to be the crux of the case.
The trial, beginning in January 2025, followed Rocky’s rejection of a plea deal — adamant to prove his innocence. Rocky was found not guilty, but had the jury sided with Relli, the people’s favourite Fashion Killa could’ve landed in jail for 24 years.
Don’t Be Dumb, A$AP
Rocky’s newest album has attracted attention on multiple accounts. His biggest offering to the music industry post assault trial, Don’t Be Dumb, includes features from Doechii, Gorillaz and Tyler the Creator, as well as a cover art from American filmmaker and animator Tim Burton, famous for his whimsical gothic films like Corpse Bride and Edward Scissorhands.
The Burton collaboration and dedication to visual aesthetics comes as a shock, until you dig further into Rocky’s other creative pursuits. Since 2021, Rocky has served as creative director for Puma’s Formula 1 collaboration, and was appointed as creative director for Ray-Ban in 2025. Possibly inspired by his partner, Rihanna, Rocky certainly has his hand in the fashion industry.
But what about the music?
The album itself features two discs and 19 songs total. Stylistically, it definitely follows in Rocky’s artistic stride, or perhaps the freedom that comes with the level of stardom his power couple affords him.
For me, the best track of the album, drawn largely from the most frequent Instagram story song snippet, is certainly STAY HERE 4 LIFE, featuring Brent Faiyez, the R&B giant. The track fades into a steady beat, feeds you the hook almost immediately and oscillates between that Goldilocks balance of rap and melody. It feels like the kind of song some influencer would’ve made a viral dance for in the days of Musical.ly. A formulaic hit that manages to stay cool is never something to complain about.
Another popular track from the album is ROBBERY, featuring Doechii, winner of four awards at the 2025 Grammys. But this one tickles a very different part of your brain. Not only does it sample iconic jazz track Caravan by Thelonius Monk, but it features quite the theatrical bridge, where Doechii and Rocky facilitate the seductive robbery. This song is playful, cheeky and it flexes Rocky’s class and versatility.
Don’t Be Dumb summed up in an artist statement looks a little something like this: freedom and experimentation fueled by adoration … and a whole lot to lose.
