A$AP Rocky Cleared of Charges, Teases Long-Awaited Album ‘DON’T BE DUMB’
A$AP Rocky is celebrating a major legal victory—and he’s wasting no time getting back to music. The Harlem rapper was recently acquitted of felony assault charges that had loomed over him for four years, a case that could have resulted in a 24-year prison sentence. Upon hearing the not-guilty verdict, Rocky celebrated in the courtroom and outside the courthouse alongside his lawyer, Joe Tacopina, whom he affectionately nicknamed “A$AP Joe.”
A$AP Rocky Wastes No Time, Teases ‘DON’T BE DUMB’
Rather than taking a break to focus on his family—including his superstar partner, Rihanna, and their two children—Rocky took to Twitter shortly after the verdict to tease his long-awaited album. He posted a simple but powerful message: “DON’T BE DUMB.”
No context. No release date. Just the title.
It was enough to send fans into a frenzy. The album has been one of the most anticipated rap releases of the decade, as Rocky first revealed the title back in 2018 following the release of his last album, TESTING. Despite numerous delays, it appears DON’T BE DUMB is finally on the horizon.
A Rocky Road to Release
Rocky has been slowly rolling out the album over the years with a handful of singles. Tracks like HIGHJACK featuring Jessica Pratt and Ruby Rosary with J. Cole showcased his evolving sound, but neither became massive hits. Even Tailor Swif, an experimental loosie, failed to gain mainstream traction.
The album was initially set for an August 30, 2024 release, but Rocky delayed it to the spring. Then spring came and went with no album. His ongoing legal case undoubtedly took priority, leaving fans wondering whether the project would ever drop.
A Fresh Start
Now, with his legal troubles behind him, A$AP Rocky seems recharged and ready to return to the spotlight. Speaking outside the courthouse, he expressed gratitude for the verdict and the people who stood by him.
“Gotta thank God first… I really wanna thank the jury for making the right decision,” he told reporters. “This whole experience has been crazy for the past four years, but I’m thankful…”
With his newfound freedom, the question remains: Will 2025 finally be the year DON’T BE DUMB sees the light of day? Fans certainly hope so, and after years of waiting, it looks like Rocky is finally ready to deliver.
