For those minding the calendar, it’s been nearly seven years since the arrival of Testing, ASAP Rocky’s third studio album. In subsequent years, Rocky has provided no shortage of updates on the status of a follow-up, at one point telling Complex that “leaks and clearance stuff” had contributed to its delay. Along the way, potential features have also been cited by Rocky, including former Smiths frontman Morrissey.
With his assault with a firearm trial now behind him after an acquittal celebrated by Spike Lee and 50 Cent, it seems like the album in question, tentatively titled Don’t Be Dumb, is (finally) actually imminent. At least, that’s the takeaway from a recent conversation Rocky had with Samuel Hine for GQ, available in full here.
According to Rocky, the album is “done,” despite it still not having a confirmed release date. Rocky also acknowledged that he’s been talking about the album “for a long-ass fucking time,” theorizing that fans are likely “tired of hearing” updates. Still, he did point out that “mixing and mastering” is underway, ultimately including himself among an elite group of artists (Rihanna, for one) who follow a timeline that’s often at odds with the industry.
“The truth of the matter is fans, they’re starving,” Rocky said. “And I don’t think that any of us—it’s numerous artists, Frank Ocean, Lauryn Hill, D’Angelo, Rihanna, whoever. I think those people who really take their time to put out timeless pieces, projects and bodies of work, that’s all that matters. I don’t think they’re putting out music to stay relevant, to stay culturally relevant, to stay with the times, or just to have a dick swinging contest.”
Rocky went on to emphasize the “starving” nature of these fanbases, then doubled down even further by likening Don’t Be Dumb to a “gourmet meal” that should soon be served.
“It’s hot y’all!” he said of the metaphorical plate holding the meal. “It’s hot! The chef is cooking. But here we are. I just want to bring it out. A whole gourmet meal. The whole course.”
The occasion for Rocky’s GQ chat in Milan was his new role at Ray-Ban. As previously reported, Rocky has been named the brand’s first-ever creative director, a title which will see him contributing everything from product design to brand campaign direction.
All signs point to 2025 indeed being the year we’ll get to hear a new full-length from Rocky, if not the same from Rihanna. As no one reading this needs reminding, Rihanna’s most recent album, Anti, marked its ninth anniversary in January.
