Today, A$AP Rocky released his new single “RUBY ROSARY” featuring J. Cole, produced by The Alchemist, via A$AP Worldwide/RCA Records. The track marks another collaboration between the two artists, blending Rocky’s dynamic style with Cole’s sharp lyricism. “RUBY ROSARY” will be featured on Rocky’s upcoming fourth studio album, Don’t Be Dumb, which is set to be released later this fall. The album is highly anticipated, with fans eager to see how Rocky continues to push boundaries as a multi-hyphenated artist, entrepreneur, actor, and fashion icon.
The great rap beef of 2024 continues, as two MCs previously from opposing sides have now complicated the situation for Drake fans. Moreover, A$AP Rocky tapped J Cole for “Ruby Rosary,” a new Alchemist-produced single from his upcoming album Don’t Be Dumb. Thanks to the Harlem creative’s possible shots at the 6ix God, a lot of OVO Stans are not happy with the Dreamville boss clearing a collaboration with one of Drizzy’s many opponents this year. Earlier this year, just days after bowing out of the battle, Cole also appeared on Future and Metro Boomin’s WE STILL DON’T TRUST YOU.
As such, a lot of people are looking at J. Cole sideways, wondering why he would work with these people and whether or not he feels differently about Drake now. After all, it was probably their “First Person Shooter” collaboration that set a lot of this beef in motion, at least on Kendrick Lamar’s end. But the most likely scenario is that despite Rocky’s disses towards The Boy, Cole probably has the same love for everyone involved. He’s never been one to be overtly confrontational beyond being competitive, and we can’t imagine that he would let loyalties determine who he will make art with.
Sure, this doesn’t explain everything about these lyricists’ roles in all this, but we doubt that J. Cole is really “picking a side” here. Also, we have to consider that Drake recently reminisced on this friendship with Cole via his “100 GIGS” content drop, sharing a classic video of them buying Born Sinner CDs upon its release at a Best Buy. However, we don’t know if this nostalgia is for a broken friendship or just for simpler times, so maybe it doesn’t affirm their bond in the way we might assume. Regardless, check out more reactions to “Ruby Rosary” and this perceived betrayal down below.
OVO Fans And Other Listeners React To “Ruby Rosary”
i mean the beef ended up devolving into high school gossip bullshit and having drake fail to contend against one of the biggest hit songs calling him a pedophile
The media for WEEKS gave J. Cole so much hate and Drake praise, but once Meet The Grahams was released, it was a complete 180. Don’t try to make Drake the media victim after the battle is over https://t.co/shbRaEISbC
Mannnnn I used to have SO MUCH respect for J Cole, and in my opinion I always felt he was the most lyrical out of the big three (Drake, Cole, Kendrick). But this year showed the BITCH in @JColeNC I’ve lost all respect for that BOZO https://t.co/T4HCGxO2ve
Meanwhile, as Drake seeks a “Game 2,” perhaps he will more directly attack A$AP Rocky, J Cole, Future, and his other opps. We might even see him to at Kendrick Lamar again, but that’s still a mystery and an unlikely scenario until proven otherwise. “No Face” suggests that the Toronto superstar will pick the former approach against his former colleagues. Maybe then Cole will fully commit to battling his other “Big Three” partner or walk away from another chance to play in the mud.
ASAP Rocky and J Cole just gave rap fans a truly special collaboration on “Ruby Rosary,” the Alchemist-produced latest single from the former’s upcoming album Don’t Be Dumb. It’s one of the most ethereal beats you’ll hear all week, bolstered by a gorgeous bed of pianos, eerie chime embellishments, and a laidback and watery drum pattern. In addition, both MCs spit some very impressive verses, with the Harlem creative flexing despondently through his material possessions. While Cole makes this desperation and struggle even more explicit with his bars, most people are looking at Rocky’s rhymes first and foremost. But it’s for a very different reason.
As you might have already guessed, fans immediately combed through “Ruby Rosary” to see if A$AP Rocky had any words for Drake. Here’s what most people are talking about the most when it comes to their beef: “You a dead man walking, like you barely alive / Cut everything but the family ties / Cut the s**t, cut the lies, word to the wise / Who in your top five? Haha (F**k your top five) / I don’t get fresh to death, b***h, I’m buried alive / I heard dawg talkin’ funny, like it’s Family Guy.” Also, there are possible references to “Push Ups” in addition to these potential allusions to the “Buried Alive” interlude off of Take Care, a Kendrick Lamar and Baby Keem collaboration, Drizzy’s “Family Matters” diss, and much more.
Of course, this is all very speculative, especially since A$AP Rocky dismissed the Drake beef in a recent Billboard interview. “You got to realize, certain n***as was throwing shots for years,” he shared. “I ain’t in the middle of that s**t. That’s not how I retaliate right now. I got bigger fish to fry than some p***y boys. It is real beef outside. It is real. N***as getting really clipped and blitzed every day. N***as sniping n***as every day. That little kitty s**t ain’t about nothing.”
Meanwhile, Drake is itching for a “Game 2,” and it’s unclear what this looks like in his mind. Maybe he’ll go straight at Kendrick Lamar, or maybe he will focus on all his other opponents. That definitely seemed to be the case with “No Face,” so perhaps the Toronto superstar and ASAP Rocky will actually have more shots to trade. But hopefully fans realize that there’s much more to “Ruby Rosary” than just some petty lines, and that the same will be true for Don’t Be Dumb.
J. Cole has been lying low for the past few months, but thanks to ASAP Rocky, he’s back with a vengeance. The two blog era vets team up on “Ruby Rosary,” a mournful dirge for their foes produced by The Alchemist. There’s a lot of wordplay on this record, which features a murky beat just subtle enough to give them a lot of room to work. The Alchemist had previously hinted that he might have produced for J. Cole, and while this pays off a bit of that promise, it’s still not quite The Fall-Off… which means there may be more on the way.
“Ruby Rosary” is the second song Rocky dropped after delaying his album Don’t Be Dumb. Before this, Rocky dropped “Tailor Swif” despite the record previously leaking and his promise to keep any leaked tracks off the album.
While Rocky didn’t give a reason for delaying the album, he did say it had a surprising co-sign; “I sat, and I played the album for Tim Burton, and he was f*cking with it heavy,” he told Billboard. “He was rocking his head and he’s like, ‘Wow! I didn’t know you made that kind of music!’”
ASAP Rocky is in the zone right now. He may have delayed his upcoming album, Don’t Be Dumb, but the singles have been absolutely electric. “HIGHJACK” was a trippy anthem aided by an even better video. “Tailor Swif” was a banger that had been teased months earlier. Rocky keeps his winning streak alive with “Ruby Rosary.” He links up with J Cole and The Alchemist, two artists who rarely miss, and delivered an absolutely hypnotic single. It manages to sound in line with what came before, while at the same time carving out a distinct lane within the Don’t Be Dumb tracklist.
Let’s talk production first. The Alchemist is one of the most consistently dazzling producers in hip hop. He knows how to mold his signature sound to whomever he’s working with, and he nails the off-kilter, spooky ASAP vibe. ASAP Rocky gets more melodic with his flow than he did on previous singles, and it results in a fascinating groove. J Cole reminds us that when he’s on, he’s one of the best feature artists in the game. He makes a meal out of this beat. His rhyme scheme is do dense yet catchy that it sounds borderline stream of consciousness. ASAP Rocky and Cole haven’t been on a song together since the “TKO” remix in 2013. It should go without saying, but “Ruby Rosary” absolutely wipes the floor with its dated, JT predecessor.
Let us know what you think of this brand-new track, in the comments section down below. Additionally, stay tuned to HNHH for the latest news and updates from around the music world. We will continue to keep you informed on all of your favorite artists and their upcoming projects.
I been chasin’ my piece of the p**sy, I just got the cookie, it’s crumblin’ now I’m startin’ to think that judgement day they talkin’ ’bout’s comin’ around Show money they throw up is startin’ to slow up, I bet they humblin’ now
ASAP Rocky was supposed to come out with his new album Don’t Be Dumb today (August 30), but alas, life isn’t always fair. Still, at least he clapped back at the leaks by officially releasing his song “Tailor Swif” and its accompanying music video, as this is one of many songs that emerged online unofficially. Moreover, it’s quite the wild visual set in Kyiv, Ukraine, showing off a whole host of odd characters and very bizarre situations. Overall, it’s exactly the kind of creativity that we would expect from the Harlem multi-hyphenate, and an exciting indication of the creativity this album will surely embody.
Furthermore, A$AP Rocky’s last music video was for “HIGHJACK,” and it was a similarly trippy and awe-inspiring affair. “In this very moment, it’s very grim. That’s an abbreviation,” he recently told Billboard concerning his mentality for this rollout. “It’s infusing German expressionism with ghetto futurism.” It’s probably this type of stylistic melding that prompted the rapper to link up with Tim Burton. “I sat and I played the album for Tim Burton, and he was f***ing with it heavy,” he shared. “He was rocking his head and he’s like, ‘Wow! I didn’t know you made that kind of music!’”
Elsewhere during that interview, A$AP Rocky also spoke on his love for his partner, Rihanna. “It’s crazy how we find balance with our chaotic schedules,” he remarked. “[The relationship] is going great. I don’t think there’s a more perfect person because when the schedules are hectic, she’s very understanding of that. And when the schedule’s freed up, that’s when you get to spend [the] most time together. It’s all understanding and compatibility.”
Meanwhile, other folks are making a big deal out of ASAP Rocky’s comments on his Drake beef, either dismissing them outright or itching for another go. “You got to realize, certain n***as was throwing shots for years,” he expressed to Billboard. “I ain’t in the middle of that s**t. That’s not how I retaliate right now. I got bigger fish to fry than some p***y boys. It is real beef outside. It is real. N***as getting really clipped and blitzed every day. N***as sniping n***as every day. That little kitty s**t ain’t about nothing.”
One of those songs is “Tailor Swif,” a hypnotic single that finds Rocky reminiscing about his days as a stick-up kid, running the streets of his hometown, Harlem, and contrasting that with his modern, high-fashion lifestyle. By the way, that misspelling is intentional — it’s a reference to his penchant for putting that sh*t on, not a just an off-kilter shout-out to the pop idol.
Rocky’s still revealed very little about the album to date; while it was initially scheduled to be released today (August 30), he unceremoniously pushed the album back again, although he did tell Billboard that no less a luminary than Tim Burton “was f*cking with it heavy.” This surprised Rocky, but I mean… he does kinda dress like Beetlejuice, doesn’t he? They have similar vibes.
As far as when the album is coming out… who knows? Maybe he and his wife/girlfriend/children’s mother Rihanna have a bet going to see who can terrorize their fans the most before people give up on waiting for new music from either. Maybe they’re plotting a joint release, just for the lulz. In any event, you can check out “Tailor Swif” above.
ASAP Rocky is letting fans know that Don’t Be Dumb is still coming, but it won’t be until the Fall. He made the reveal in his Billboard cover story. The reason? Sample clearances.
“LEAKS & SAMPLE CLEARANCES ARE DISRUPTING THE ALBUM. ITS BEEN 6 YEARS & I WANNA MAKE THE BEST ALBUM EVER. IM SORRY FOR THE WAIT,” Rocky wrote.
LEAKS & SAMPLE CLEARANCES ARE DISRUPTING THE ALBUM. ITS BEEN 6 YEARS & I WANNA MAKE THE BEST ALBUM EVER. IM SORRY FOR THE WAIT. https://t.co/rA0Z9u66Sy
Just when you thought the 2024 iHeartRadio Music Festival couldn’t grow any more today (August 23) organizers proved otherwise. Back in June, the multiday event set to be held at Las Vegas’ T-Mobile Arena on September 20 and 21.
The summer has been filled with dozens of tours, festivals, and showcases tailored to specific genres. But the 2024 iHeartRadio Music Festival’s list of confirmed acts run the gamut of sonic influences including rock, rap, pop, and country. Tickets for 2024 iHeartRadio Music Festival are on sale now. Find more information here.
If you aren’t able to catch the multi-day event in-person, you are in luck. The performances will be accessible in other ways. Hulu will livestream the sets, while and iHeartRadio station nationwide will broadcast the event.
Continue below to view the full 2024 iHeartRadio Music Festival lineup.
2024 iHeartRadio Music Festival Lineup
ASAP Rocky
Big Sean
Camila Cabello
Chris Martin
Doja Cat
Dua Lipa
Gwen Stefani
Halsey
Hozier
Keith Urban
New Kids On The Block
Paramore
Shaboozey
The Black Crowes
The Weeknd
Thomas Rhett
Victoria Monét
ASAP Rocky and Drake exchanged a lot of shots this year, and they will probably send more each other’s way in the near future. This is especially true these days, as folks think that Drizzy dissed Rocky on the recent “It’s Up” and considering that the New York rapper will drop an album very soon. In fact, he already allegedly dissed his Toronto enemy on the single “HIGHJACK.” Regardless, what people are really talking about these days are comments from the A$AP Mob member about this feud, which basically dismissed this whole thing. This didn’t sit well with some folks, especially the OVO camp.
“You got to realize, certain n***as was throwing shots for years,” A$AP Rocky remarked about the Drake beef. “I ain’t in the middle of that s**t. That’s not how I retaliate right now. I got bigger fish to fry than some p***y boys. It is real beef outside. It is real. N***as getting really clipped and blitzed every day. N***as sniping n***as every day. That little kitty s**t ain’t about nothing.” Some detractors thought that Rocky tried too hard to sidestep actually engaging with this feud, whereas others took shots at his supposedly false street ties.
But the biggest likelihood is that A$AP Rocky simply chose to focus on his album Don’t Be Dumb rather than the Drake beef. The 6ix God seems to be taking a similar approach these days, so we can probably expect some subliminal shots back and forth either way. After all, they love to shade subtly and not overtly, and they have plenty of reason to do so engagement-wise now that everyone is combing through tracks for potential disses. But DBD faced yet another delay, so we will have to wait a little more for this. Find critical reactions to this development down below.
Meanwhile, another bizarre Drake comment as of late came from none other than Kanye West. He dedicated “I Wonder” to him and Ian Connor at the VULTURES listening event in Korea, which confused many fans. Did Ye mean this shoutout as a diss or is he once again walking back his previous negative comments about his “Glow” collaborator? I mean, it’s too many options…
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