“I just want to drop it” - A$AP Rocky on his latest album Don’t Be Dumb

A$AP Rocky has been busy in the aftermath of his trial. Since the not-guilty verdict was announced on February 18, the Harlem rapper seems to have returned to his normal family life and career.

Shortly after the proceedings came to an official end, A$AP was announced as the new creative director for Ray-Ban eyewear, as per The Hollywood Reporter, and even hosted a star-studded dinner at Milan Fashion Week on February 27 to celebrate his new role.

When discussing his newly cemented working relationship with Ray-Ban in an interview with GQ, A$AP also shared some promising news about Don’t Be Dumb, his long-awaited fourth studio album.

“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-a** f**king time.”

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Don’t Be Dumb Expected A$AP

The rapper elaborated about the album being near-completion and squarely on the way in the same conversation with GQ, even hinting at what audiences could expect creatively.

“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. They’re just ready to get this sh**, you know what I’m saying? I don’t think anybody wants to hear where I’m at with it, how far is it along and all that. They just want to hear some sh** just to see where I’m at, and I promise I got some new sh** in store. I’m challenging myself. It’s like anything, I approach it with a different tactic, degree, or finesse.”

This might come across as great news for Rocky, who probably looks to shift his focus from the legal battle. Don’t Be Dumb was initially intended to drop in 2024 but was derailed due to sample clearance issues and other unspecified reasons.

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A$AP’s Outlook Post-Trial, Future Projects

In the same GQ interview, A$AP gave a thoughtful response when asked about the relief of beating the charges levied against him in court.

“I feel blessed,” he said. “I feel so lucky to even be here talking to you in Milan at a launch for my Ray-Ban creative directorship. Honestly I do, man. You know, feeling like there was a chance that your freedom would be taken away from you, and then like a week later to be launching your creative direction announcement in Milan, Italy.”

Beyond the news of his collaboration with the eyewear brand, the rapper is also joining Denzel Washington on the cast of Spike Lee’s new film, as per a report in Deadline. Lee’s Highest 2 Lowest is a remake of Kurosawa’s 1963 High and Low, slated for a 2025 release.