After years of anticipation, A$AP Rocky’s fourth studio album Don’t Be Dumb finally feels within reach. On Tuesday (December 16), the Harlem rapper unveiled the official cover art for the project, revealing that it was designed by legendary filmmaker Tim Burton — a collaboration that instantly adds a surreal, cinematic edge to the album’s identity.
Rocky took to social media to share the news with his signature flair, writing:
“SORRY 4 THE WAIT DON’T BE DUMB FINALLY HERE! THANKS TIM BURTON FOR HELPING ME MAKE THIS MOVIE! COMING SOON.”
A Dark, Dreamlike Cover With Burton’s Signature Touch
The Don’t Be Dumb cover art features multiple illustrated versions of Pretty Flacko rendered in Burton’s unmistakable gothic-meets-whimsical style. A bold “no” symbol dominates the artwork, framing the album title at its center, while Burton’s name is prominently credited on the cover itself — signaling that this is far more than a casual design contribution.
Burton, best known for classics like Beetlejuice, Edward Scissorhands, and his late ’80s and early ’90s Batman films, brings a sense of eerie storytelling that aligns naturally with Rocky’s experimental vision.
Is a ‘Don’t Be Dumb’ Film on the Way?
While Rocky’s post hinted at “making this movie,” it’s still unclear whether an actual Don’t Be Dumb film is in development or if Burton is simply overseeing a series of visually connected music videos. Either way, the language surrounding the project suggests a full-blown visual era rather than a standard album release.
Rocky has openly discussed Burton’s involvement over the past year. In a 2024 interview with Billboard, he recalled playing the album for the director:
“I sat and I played the album for Tim Burton, and he was f—ing with it heavy… He was rocking his head like, ‘Wow! I didn’t know you made that kind of music!’”
A Childhood Inspiration Turned Creative Partnership
The rapper’s admiration for Burton runs deep. Speaking earlier this year with Vanity Fair, Rocky reflected on how the director influenced him from a young age. He praised Burton’s mastery of claymation, live-action filmmaking, matte painting, and German Expressionism, calling him “a genius” whose work shaped his creative imagination.
That influence extends beyond visuals. Rocky revealed that longtime Burton collaborator Danny Elfman also played a key role in the album’s creation.
“Danny Elfman did my album with me — he scored a bunch of the songs,” Rocky shared. “We had the TV on mute and were just making music to old films, Pee-wee’s Playhouse and The Simpsons, all that.”
A Star-Studded Lineup and Release Rumors
In addition to Elfman, Don’t Be Dumb is expected to feature contributions from heavyweights like Metro Boomin, Tyler, The Creator, Busta Rhymes, The Alchemist, and Morrissey — further raising expectations for one of Rocky’s most ambitious projects yet.
While no official release date has been confirmed, rumors point to a January 16 drop. Fans began speculating after Rocky appeared onstage at Tyler, The Creator’s Camp Flog Gnaw festival wearing a shirt emblazoned with the numbers “01162026.”
Whether Don’t Be Dumb arrives as an album, a visual film, or a hybrid of both, one thing is clear: A$AP Rocky Shares First Look at ‘Don’t Be Dumb’ Cover Art by Tim Burton, and it marks the beginning of a bold, cinematic chapter in his career.
