After a considerable wait, A$AP Rocky, the acclaimed Harlem native, officially announced on Friday, December 19, the release date for his highly anticipated album, "Don’t Be Dumb." Fans can mark their calendars for January 16, 2026, when the album will be available across various formats, including vinyls, CDs, cassettes, and digital streaming platforms.

Rocky, whose real name is Rakim Mayers, shared the news via Instagram, revealing the album's cover art, which he proudly described as a "masterpiece." The striking artwork is reportedly assisted by the renowned film maestro Tim Burton. Expressing gratitude, Rocky's post read, "JANUARY 16 2026 , DON’T BE DUMB VINYLS , CDs , CASSETTES , AND DIGITAL DSPs AVAILABLE , THANKS TO EVERY CREATIVE AND MUSICIAN WHO HELPED ME WITH THIS MASTERPIECE.”

This upcoming release marks more than seven years since A$AP Rocky’s last offering, 2018’s "TESTING." Despite the lengthy hiatus, fans have remained eagerly awaiting new music from the 37-year-old artist. The announcement was met with widespread excitement, with social media comments reflecting the anticipation: "BACK LIKE YOU NEVER LEFT" and "Let’s go! It’s that time!" were among the many enthusiastic reactions.

The exact nature of Tim Burton's collaboration on "Don’t Be Dumb" remains somewhat ambiguous. However, A$AP Rocky previously disclosed in a Billboard cover story that he had played his music for the esteemed director. Rocky recounted Burton's positive reception, stating, "I sat and I played the album for Tim Burton, and he was f–king with it heavy. He was rocking his head and he’s like, ‘Wow! I didn’t know you made that kind of music!’” This anecdote suggests a significant endorsement from the iconic filmmaker.

Speculation about a January 16 release date had gained momentum even before the official announcement. During his performance at Camp Flog Gnaw in November, A$AP Rocky was seen wearing a hoodie emblazoned with the numbers "01162026" on its sleeve, subtly hinting at the forthcoming release date to his observant fanbase.