Rocky claims the No. 1 spot

## Rocky's Back. And He's Hungry. A$AP Rocky is back atop the Billboard 200 for the first time in over a decade, with the new album "DON'T BE DUMB" launching to Number One with 123,000 equivalent album units. Let that sink in. Eight years. Eight years since Testing dropped in 2018. Eight years of watching Rocky become a fashion icon, a father, a Met Gala co-chair, a boyfriend to Rihanna. Eight years of wondering if he'd ever actually make music again. He did. And it matters. The album was released on January 16, 2026, through AWGE / ASAP Worldwide and RCA Records. This is Rocky's third No.1 but first No.1 debut for him since 'At.Long.Last.A$AP' opened at No.1 way back in 2015. The gap between those two number ones isn't just time. It's the entire evolution of hip-hop. It's a decade of Rocky existing as a cultural figure while everyone waited to see if he still had it as an artist. The opening week was boosted by on-demand streaming of 78.02 million units plus pure album sales of 47,000 units. That's not just numbers. That's proof the people never stopped paying attention. ## The Album That Almost Didn't Happen It is Rocky's first album in almost eight years, since Testing (2018). Those years weren't empty. The album's cover art was designed by American filmmaker Tim Burton. That's the level of curation we're talking about. Not just getting a designer. Getting Tim Burton. The album features a wide range of contributors, including guest appearances from BossMan Dlow, Brent Faiyaz, Gorillaz, Doechii, Jessica Pratt, Sauce Walka, Slay Squad, Westside Gunn, and will.i.am; digital editions additionally feature Jozzy, Tokischa, and Tyler, the Creator. This isn't a comeback album. It's a statement. A$AP Rocky's 'DON'T BE DUMB' earned 35.43 million streams in its first full day of release on Spotify. Biggest album debut of 2026 so far. The streaming numbers aren't just big. They're the biggest this year. In a landscape where albums drop constantly and algorithms decide everything, Rocky still commands attention like an event. His releases don't trickle. They land. ## Why This Matters Now The Guardian's Shaad D'Souza wrote that Don't Be Dumb is Rocky's "strongest album since his debut", while further stating that "fans dumbfounded by Testing can breathe easy". That's the real story. Not that he's back. That he's back and he's better. One of the highlights is the sharp and punchy Stole Ya Flow, a diss track that clearly targets Drake. At 37 years old, Rocky isn't trying to be young again. He's trying to be great again. There's a difference. A$AP Rocky decided that the proceeds would go toward paying the rent for the building in Harlem where he grew up and where his grandmother still lives today. That's not a PR move. That's Harlem remembering where it came from. The kid who came up in the early 2010s making cloud rap with Houston influences is now a father using his platform to keep his community rooted. The album's success isn't just about chart positions. It's about an artist proving he can evolve without losing himself. --- ## FAQ **Q: What is A$AP Rocky's Don't Be Dumb album?** A: Don't Be Dumb is A$AP Rocky's fourth studio album released on January 16, 2026, and his first album in almost eight years since Testing (2018). **Q: Did Don't Be Dumb debut at number one?** A: Yes. The album launched to Number One with 123,000 equivalent album units, marking Rocky's third No.1 and first No.1 debut since 'At.Long.Last.A$AP' in 2015. **Q: Who produced Don't Be Dumb?** A: The album's cover art was designed by American filmmaker Tim Burton. The album features production from multiple collaborators and guest features across its tracks. **Q: What are the biggest songs on Don't Be Dumb?** A: "Punk Rocky" was released as the album's first single on January 5, and "Helicopter" was released as the second single on January 12. **Q: How many streams did Don't Be Dumb get in its first day?** A: A$AP Rocky's 'DON'T BE DUMB' earned 35.43 million streams in its first full day of release on Spotify, marking the biggest album debut of 2026 so far. **Q: Is A$AP Rocky touring for this album?** A: Rocky is scheduled to embark on the Don't Be Dumb Tour in support of the album, with legs in North America and Europe, beginning in Chicago on May 27, 2026 and concluding in Paris on September 30, 2026.