A$AP Rocky has finally confirmed that his highly awaited album, DON’T BE DUMB, is in its final stages of production. In a recent interview with GQ, the multi-faceted artist revealed that the follow-up to 2018’s ‘Testing’ is officially complete and currently undergoing mixing and mastering.
“I’m in the mixing and mastering realm of it, but I think quite frankly, people are tired of hearing about updates about the album,” Rocky admitted during the interview. “The album’s done. I just want to drop it. I don’t want to keep saying what I’m going to do and I want to give people what I’ve been promising them for a long-ass f*cking time.”
This candid statement reflects Rocky’s awareness of the growing impatience among his fanbase, who have been teased with snippets and updates about the project for years. However, the rapper assured fans that the wait will be worth it, promising a body of work that pushes creative boundaries and showcases his growth as an artist.
“They’re just ready to get this sht, you know what I’m saying? I don’t think anybody wants to hear where I’m at with it, how far it’s along and all that. They just want to hear some sht just to see where I’m at, and I promise I got some new sh*t in store. I’m challenging myself,” he added.
Rocky’s commitment to experimentation and innovation has been a recurring theme in his discussions about the album. In a 2023 interview with DAZED, he hinted that DON’T BE DUMB could be his “best work yet,” emphasizing his desire to leave expectations open-ended.
“I’ve been really experimenting as usual, and what I like about this is it feels like my best work yet,” Rocky shared. “I want to leave expectations wide and open. I don’t want to tell you what to expect. I just want people to experience it how they do naturally.”
The announcement of the album’s completion comes at a pivotal moment in Rocky’s life. The rapper, who is now a father of two with partner Rihanna, has been in a celebratory mood following his recent legal victory. In 2021, Rocky was involved in a highly publicized shooting incident involving former friend and A$AP Mob associate, A$AP Relli. After a lengthy legal battle, Rocky was found not guilty, allowing him to focus on his music and family without the shadow of the case looming over him.
While a specific release date has yet to be announced, one thing is certain: A$AP Rocky is poised to deliver an album that not only meets but exceeds the high expectations set by his previous projects, such as LONG.LIVE.A$AP and TESTING.
