A$AP Rocky‘s new album is delayed due to “leaks and sample clearances.”
Don’t Be Dumb was due to be released on Aug. 30, but there have been a few setbacks, forcing the record to be pushed back until autumn.
“LEAKS AND SAMPLE CLEARANCES ARE DISRUPTING THE ALBUM. IT’S BEEN [SIX] YEARS, AND I WANNA MAKE THE BEST ALBUM EVER. I’M SORRY FOR THE WAIT,” Rocky wrote on X after Billboard reported the release date change.
In his interview with the magazine, the rapper — whose real name is Rakim Mayers — revealed the legendary filmmaker Tim Burton had heard the record and was a huge fan.
“I sat and … played the album for Tim Burton, and he was f—— with it heavy. He was rocking his head and he’s like, ‘Wow! I didn’t know you made that kind of music!’” Rocky spilled.
The two were in contact as the “Praise The Lord” hitmaker wanted the Edward Scissorhands director to design the artwork for the LP. Unfortunately, they couldn’t make it happen.
However, Danny Elfman — the famed composer who collaborated regularly with Burton — worked on some of the music.
It’s a highly collaborative effort, with guests expected to include Tyler, The Creator, Metro Boomin, Madlib, Pharrell Williams, Swedish House Mafia and Mike Dean.
Rocky‘s last studio album was 2018’s Testing.
The music star — who has sons RZA and Riot with Rihanna — recently shared how his music has become more “meaningful” since he became a father.
“I think sonically, yes, a lot of s— changed. My taste preference for music and just different artists and just different genres … has changed, especially the way it influenced the way that I make music and I put out music now and whatnot,” Rocky told Apple Music’s Zane Lowe when asked if fatherhood has changed his approach to music.
“I think it’s more meaningful,” Rocky continued. “I got more to say. I got more personal vulnerable things to talk about and whatnot, and it’s just, I think the trick is having that fine balance of just entertaining and telling a story or giving something, telling somebody listening and view something informative about you and whatnot.
“And that’s kind of where I’m at now, with just being a pop of two and whatnot and just being at the top of my game with just, design and everything, and film — and you name it, man, we’ve been doing it all,” he added.
