"A$AP ROCKY 'DON'T BE DUMB' EXPECTED TO SELL 119K FIRST WEEK AND DEBUT AT #2 ON BILLBOARD"
"A$AP ROCKY 'DON'T BE DUMB' EXPECTED TO SELL 119K FIRST WEEK AND DEBUT AT #2 ON BILLBOARD"  
Podcast: Analytic Dreamz: Notorious Mass Effect
Published On: Thu Jan 22 2026
Description: Linktree: ⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/Analytic⁠⁠Join The Normandy For Additional Bonus Audio And Visual Content For All Things Nme+! Join Here: ⁠⁠https://ow.ly/msoH50WCu0K⁠⁠ Dive into the bold return of A$AP Rocky with Analytic Dreamz on Notorious Mass Effect. In this segment, Analytic Dreamz delivers a full review and commercial roundup of Don't Be Dumb, the rapper's fourth studio album released January 16, 2026, via AWGE, A$AP Worldwide, and RCA.After an eight-year gap since Testing, Rakim Athelaston Mayers—born in Harlem and a key figure in A$AP Mob—drops a 17-track project featuring guests like Tyler, The Creator, Doechii, Gorillaz, Thundercat, Danny Elfman, Playboi Carti, will.i.am, and Westside Gunn. The Tim Burton-designed cover art sets the tone for themes of braggadocio, restlessness, artistic independence, and multi-genre experimentation.Critics give it a Metacritic score of 71/100 for generally favorable reviews, praising sharp lyricism, charisma, inventive energy, and renewed confidence, though some note uneven sequencing and lack of cohesion. Rolling Stone called it "overstuffed but a lot of fun," while others highlight its curatorial vision.Commercially, Don't Be Dumb exploded with 35.43 million global Spotify streams on day one—Rocky's biggest album debut ever on the platform and the largest of 2026 so far. Vinyl pre-sales topped 130,000 units, fueling strong physical demand. First-week projections initially eyed 200K+ units and a No. 1 Billboard 200 debut, though updated estimates suggest around 119K units amid massive streaming and sales splits. It positions as potentially his biggest opening, surpassing prior #1s from Long.Live.A$AP and At.Long.Last.A$AP.The rollout includes standout visuals like "Punk Rocky" starring Winona Ryder and "Helicopter," plus a high-energy SNL performance on January 18 with Danny Elfman on drums. The upcoming Don’t Be Dumb World Tour, with UK/Ireland dates in August/September 2026, promises to extend momentum.Join Analytic Dreamz for unfiltered breakdowns of the tracks, cultural impact, and why Don't Be Dumb solidifies A$AP Rocky's status as a dominant force in 2026 hip-hop.Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/analytic-dreamz-notorious-mass-effect/donationsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy