A$AP Rocky Chases First Grammy With “Don’t Be Dumb”
Originally published by AllHipHop Read the original
A$AP Rocky revealed he made Don’t Be Dumb with a first Grammy win in mind, setting a clear goal for the album and ending his eight-year gap between projects.
The Harlem rapper discussed that push in a new Billboard interview as the first round of voting began.
“I think it would solidify everything that I worked hard for,” Rocky said. “I worked so hard on this, and I intentionally wanted to win one.”
He described a year in which music took the lead over his other work in fashion, film and directing. The album reached No. 1 after its January release. He also pointed to his arena shows as part of his case.
His submissions crossed genres. “Punk Rocky” went forward for Record of the Year, Best Music Video and Best Alternative Music Performance. The album also earned nominations for Album of the Year and Best Rap Album.
His Grammy record showed why a win would mark a new step. The Recording Academy listed three nominations and no wins. His first came in 2014 for Best Rap Song with “F***in’ Problems,” followed by Best Music Video nods for “L$D” in 2016 and “Tailor Swif” in 2025.
Two of those three chances came through his videos. “Punk Rocky” added to that body of work with a Winona Ryder-led visual. Rocky co-directed the clip with Folkert Verdoorn and Simon Becks, bringing his behind-the-camera work into the current awards push.
The latest campaign also extended beyond the screen. Rocky had added five December arena shows in Australia and New Zealand, with the promoter billing the run as his first return to the region in eight years.
The awards process still had several steps left. The first round opened on October 12 and was set to close on October 22. Eligible submissions went before voters to earn a place on the nominees list.
Music creators, including artists, songwriters, producers and engineers, cast the ballots. Final voting was scheduled for December 10 through January 7, ahead of the February 7, 2027 ceremony. The next test for Rocky’s Grammy bid was the nominations announcement on November 16.
