“Don’t Be Dumb” is a UCLA dorm room anthem in the making.
It has been a whopping eight years since “that pretty MFER” released a studio album. With his 2018 release, “Testing,” being an experimental album as the title promised, fans consequently brought high hopes for what he could bring to the table next. Yet it appears A$AP Rocky diverged from the 2018 drop and rather returned to honor the roots that made him famous in his debut album when it comes to the 17-track party that is “Don’t Be Dumb.”
Listeners are immediately thrown headfirst into Rocky’s world, littered with controversy and scrutiny on “ORDER OF PROTECTION.” Rocky classically boldly mentions “a couple lil’ trials, couple of leaks” but reminds everyone that despite his controversy, he still stayed prominent in the public eye and unaffected by cancel culture. Satisfyingly ending with a building chorus of marching drums symbolizing the army needed for anyone who dares mess with the hip hop icon.
With that excitement built from the entrance track, other pieces like “HELICOPTER” fall flat with the repetition of lazy lyrics relaying “Take my white tee off/spin it like a helicopter,” which disappoints, especially to the bar that Rocky has consistently set for himself over the decade and a half he has been performing his solo art.
As this rollercoaster ride of subtle highs and lows continues, Rocky builds the substance of his album with an interlude in “INTERROGATION(SKIT),” cleverly utilizing a powerful monologue that promises that with the old-timey microphone used to deliver the blows, he “put out staticky good shit”.
Rocky follows through on his promise to create some “good shit” with some clear fan favorites rising to the top amongst the comeback. A prime example includes “NO TRESPASSING,” soaked in Rocky’s original suave style that drew fans in from the beginning. And “STAY HERE 4 LIFE” is an immediate standout with simple yet composed lyrics, honoring his range and allowing for a window into the obvious amounts of joy found while making this track. You can almost hear a smirk in Rocky’s voice as he finds himself in his niche of a sleek and sexy flow.
The clearly divisive love-hate track between album enjoyers resides in “STFU.” Overall, it is something never before heard from the street-style icon, and fans cannot deny that his ability to consistently push the boundaries of his sound is what makes him particularly admirable. I hold a special appreciation for “STFU” as the track I would blast in my headphones in replacement for a lot of caffeine to satisfy many Bruin’s addictions.
An especially exquisite aspect of this album is its surplus of iconic collabs ranging from popular artists adjacent to Rocky like Tyler the Creator (“FISH N STEAK [WHAT IT IS]) and Doechii (“ROBBERY”). Yet it’s that experimental Rocky style that really shines through with Danny Elfman, Tim Burton’s composer, on the highlighted track “PUNK ROCKY” reminiscent of his past Tame Impala collaboration, “Sundress.”
Overall, this album is an objectively fun listen for anyone. I can already picture the adverse sounds bumping through the iconic brown dorm doors of the UCLA halls as students get ready for a night, or whilst whizzing around in a WAYMO on the streets of the city. Despite some cracks in his lyricism and a subtle falter in his initial “stick it” attitude with age, the notorious Fashion Killa still packed a punch on “Don’t Be Dumb” and excites fans with the stamina and future of his rapping career.
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Featured Image Courtesy of RCA Records
