A$AP rocky has walked back previous statements regarding the release of his highly anticipated album, Don’t Be Dumb, admitting he was “a bit foolish” for initially providing a target date. The Harlem rapper revealed his reluctance to discuss release timelines during a recent interview with Numéro magazine, signaling a shift in strategy for the project.
Rocky initially announced Don’t Be Dumb would arrive in “AWGEST” – August 2024 - and even launched pre-orders that June.However,the album faced delays,partially attributed to his legal battles stemming from a 2023 gun assault case and the arrival of his second child with Rihanna. Fans who pre-ordered merchandise received refund notifications in December 2024, with the album rescheduled for “early 2025.” This latest proclamation marks a departure from providing concrete dates, as Rocky now intends to let “the music speak for itself.”
“To be honest, I don’t want to talk about release dates anymore,” A$AP Rocky told Numéro.”I’d rather let the music speak for itself… One day, you’ll wake up and see what’s coming up.” He reiterated this sentiment in a separate interview with ELLE in September, stating, “Today, I want to make it clear. You’ll just have to wait and enjoy the record when [it comes] out.”
The album’s delays have fueled speculation among fans, with a hint from Rolling Loud co-founder Tariq Cherif suggesting a release before the festival in March 2025. Though, Rocky’s recent comments indicate a desire to avoid further anticipation and potential disappointment. He acknowledged the impact of personal life changes, stating, “I don’t want to primarily blame it on my case, but life was life-ing… I gotta be present for my family, as that’s first.”
