It has been a long, long eight years for A$AP Rocky fans. The Harlem-born rap and hip-hop superstar has grown significantly since his last album, “Testing,” released all the way back in 2018. Now 37 years old, in a long-standing relationship with Rihanna, the father of three kids, and acquitted from not one, but two criminal trials, one can certainly say Rocky has a lot to talk about.
And talk about it he has: The rapper recently released “Don’t Be Dumb,” his fourth studio album, on Jan. 16, and it is undeniable that he did not waste such copious life experience in the 17 tracks. Perhaps his most emotionally sincere and internally thorough album yet, Rocky reflects on all the aspects of his life that make him, him. He’s no longer the person he was eight years ago, and he’d like everyone to know it.
First and foremost, the album boasts an incredible lineup of features, a success most certainly due to the project’s extended production. Staple artists like Brent Faiyaz and Tyler, the Creator appear alongside newly-minted legend Doechii and an unusual but rewarding choice in folk singer Jessica Pratt. They make for a roster as dynamic and unpredictable as Rocky’s last eight years.
“Stop Snitching” with Sauce Walka very much emphasizes the tumult of this period. Rocky divulges the broken friendships and tenuous moral codes within rap circles, alluding to certain individuals over the years who have lost his trust, as well as to the up-and-coming, often reckless new faces of rap. The title of the track is very relevant in this manner, as Rocky warns such members of the community to speak with poise and intention, and to “stay the f— up off the interviews.”
“Stay Here 4 Life” with Brent Faiyaz is a much more relaxed piece. Very simplistic in theme and lyricism, the track explores the rapper’s romance with partner Rihanna, and much like the music of Miguel, Jhené Aiko or any R&B artist of the early 2000s, the song is soft, smooth and endlessly replayable. Though the track’s genre is not new or significantly innovative in any meaningful way, it is still well done and worthy in its own right.
But one cannot say that Rocky isn’t that innovative in other ways. “The End,” featuring Jessica Pratt and will.i.am, is conclusive evidence of this. Tackling some of the most polarizing issues of modern-day society — climate change, reliance on technology and police brutality — Rocky takes a stand in a very messy political climate. Repeating the refrain of “This is the way the world ends” over and over again, Rocky tells his audience that even as a person with fame and fortune, he feels and understands the effects that our modern politics have on the world, and he sees no end in sight. His track reflects much of Childish Gambino’s words in “This is America.” The haunting part is that Gambino released this single eight years ago — a very telling sign of the progression, or lack thereof, of American society.
However, not every track rang as deep as “The End,” and for good measure, too. “Punk Rocky,” one of the only solo efforts on the album, offers a sliver of lightheartedness amid a sea of despair and anguish. Though the track’s lyrical depth is not particularly positive, as it explores heartbreak and love, the song’s backing instrumentation evokes the summer nostalgia of Rocky’s 2018 hit, “Sundress.” And especially in an era of societal turmoil, a hint of nostalgia might be just what the heart needs.
A$AP Rocky’s newest album has demonstrated that he still, in fact, has got it. Though one could argue that the album may not justify the eight-year wait, I still maintain that it is highly significant, relevant and definitely worth the time. Rocky has grown. He is ever-evolving, and he is finally in a place not just of monetary success but of personal satisfaction, and it shows.
Personally — and not to greatly upset any reader — I believe that he just might be exactly who The Weeknd wishes he was. His dynamism and nuance in genre, as well as his cultural contributions to the fashion and film industries, are robust and intentional. He does not build a brand simply for the sake of building a brand. He truly is who he sets out to be; he is honest and authentic, and I certainly look forward to seeing what is next for him.
