Courtesy of ASAPROCKYUPTOWN (YouTube)
ASAPROCKYUPTOWN
(YouTube)
ASAP Rocky has finally returned to music after an eight-year absence that saw the rapper navigate two criminal trials, welcome three children with Rihanna and question whether he would ever release another album.
The 37-year-old artist released his fourth studio album, Don’t Be Dumb, on Friday, marking his first full-length project since 2018’s Testing. In a recent interview with The New York Times, Rocky opened up about the chaotic period that kept him away from music and how becoming a family man transformed his entire perspective on life.
The time between albums brought significant upheaval for the Harlem-born rapper. He faced two criminal prosecutions, including an alleged shooting of a former close friend for which he was acquitted in Los Angeles last year, and an assault conviction for a street fight in Sweden in 2019 that resulted in no additional jail time. Dozens of his unfinished songs also leaked onto the internet during this period.
Legal troubles delayed creative process
Rocky acknowledged that multiple factors contributed to the extended gap between releases, though he resisted using his children as an excuse for the delay. He explained that he refused to rush the creative process despite mounting pressure from fans and the industry.
The rapper thought he was ready to release music in 2024, but his court case kept getting pushed back, making it difficult to focus on his artistry. His legal entanglements forced him to confront difficult truths about the people in his inner circle and the loyalty he had extended to individuals who did not deserve it.
Rocky described how his trials served as a humbling experience, even when he felt he was not in the wrong. The situations forced him to reevaluate relationships and cut ties with people who were pulling him in negative directions.
Rihanna opened his eyes to toxic relationships
The rapper credited his relationship with Rihanna as a transformative force that helped him see his life with new clarity. He described how being with a companion changed his entire perspective, particularly regarding which people in his life were genuine friends versus those taking advantage of his generosity.
Rocky revealed that he got together with a very special woman at exactly the right time in his life. He believes any earlier in their lives, neither of them would have been ready for such a serious commitment.
The couple, who were born the same year and share numerous similarities including working in the same industry, had been friends for years before their romance developed. Rocky shared that his late mother used to encourage him to pursue Rihanna even when he insisted they were just friends.
Fatherhood became the priority
Becoming a parent played a significant role in Rocky’s extended absence from releasing music. He emphasized his desire to be present and supportive for his three children rather than constantly working.
The rapper acknowledged that while fatherhood kept him occupied, the experiences also provided fresh material for his music. All the different instances in his life gave him new topics to address in his songs.
His new album reflects this evolution, featuring family-focused content alongside expressions of anger about his recent trial. The project includes a song called Stop Snitching that directly addresses his legal troubles.
Missing his mentor through major milestones
Rocky spoke about the continued absence of his friend and musical mentor ASAP Yams, who passed away and cannot witness this chapter of Rocky’s life. He described feeling an empty void even to this day, though he noted that Yams and Rihanna were extremely close when he was alive.
Without Yams to provide musical guidance, Rocky has learned to trust his own instincts and taste across various creative fields including music, fashion and film. He expressed confidence in his artistic vision, comparing his work to luxury brands that cater to specific audiences rather than chasing mainstream appeal.
The rapper maintained that he does not need to exploit his celebrity status to create hit songs, preferring instead to focus on being a creative genius without compromising his artistic integrity.
Information for this article was gathered from The New York Times.
About the Author
