After nearly eight years of waiting, A$AP Rocky is finally giving fans something real to get excited about. The Harlem rapper has officially kicked off the rollout for his long-delayed fourth studio album, Don’t Be Dumb – and he’s doing it in a big way.
Here's what we know so far...
What's been announced?
In an Instagram post earlier today, Rocky shared the news on social media, announcing that Don’t Be Dumb is “finally here” and thanking Burton for helping him make the movie.
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So is it a film or an album?
At this point, it's confirmed to be Rocky's fourth studio album. But given the nature of the cinematic talent he's collaborating with for it – Elfman and Burton – we think there's likely to be some pretty epic visuals attached. But, we wait for confirmation on that front.
When will it be released?
While there’s still no confirmed release date, the message makes it clear that the album rollout is officially underway: "Coming Soon".
Fans have been busy speculating, especially after Rocky was spotted wearing a hoodie with the numbers “01162026,” hinting at a possible 16 January 2026 release.
At the same time, Rocky has continued to say the album is expected to drop sometime in 2025 – so for now, the exact timing remains a mystery.
Why was it delayed?
Originally set to drop in August 2024, Don’t Be Dumb has gone through several delays. Tracks that have already been announced include Highjack, Tailor Swif, Ruby Rosary, and Pray4DaGang.
Rocky has been open about why the album keeps getting pushed back, saying he doesn’t want to rush the process. In recent interviews, he’s described the project as a reflection of personal growth – less focused on excess, but still rooted in fashion, creativity, and self-expression.
Outside of music, Rocky has hardly slowed down. He’s stayed busy with acting roles, creative director gigs with Ray-Ban and an ambassadorship with CHANEL, and family life alongside Rihanna and their children.
Who is involved?
Rocky recently revealed the album artwork was by none other than legendary filmmaker Tim Burton, bringing together hip-hop and Burton’s signature gothic, cinematic style.
Burton’s involvement isn’t just surface-level, either. The director behind cult classics like Edward Scissorhands, Nightmare Before Christmas, and Beetlejuice reportedly created the official album artwork and may be part of a larger visual world tied to the project.
Rocky has previously shared that he played the album for Burton, who was blown away by what he heard and surprised by how wide-ranging Rocky’s sound had become.
Adding even more cinematic energy to the album is Danny Elfman, Burton’s longtime collaborator. Elfman – known for scoring films like Beetlejuice and Men in Black – contributed to multiple tracks on Don’t Be Dumb, reportedly handling portions of the album’s scoring.
One of the songs he worked on was produced by The Alchemist, further emphasising just how eclectic and ambitious the project is shaping up to be.
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