A$AP Rocky made a triumphant return to Los Angeles Saturday for the rap superstar’s Don’t Be Dumb Tour, with cinematic production and surprise appearances from the likes of Tyler, The Creator and Danny Elfman.
Following the release of his fourth studio album, Don’t Be Dumb, Rocky announced the 42-stop world tour in January. Taking to the Kia Forum June 27, Saturday’s show marked Rocky’s first LA tour stop since 2019. (He played Rolling Loud California in Inglewood’s nearby Hollywood Park last year). The trek officially kicked off in May and will continue across the United States through July before heading to Europe for its second leg, wrapping in late September.
Thousands of fans packed the Kia Forum on June 27, lining up hours before doors opened. Upon entry, concertgoers were handed white-and-red Don’t Be Dumb towels before taking their seats for opening performances from artists under Rocky’s creative agency, AWGE.
The show commenced at around 9:45 p.m. when the lights shut off and whirring sounds of helicopter blades echoed within the arena. Red and blue strobe lights illuminated the space as dancers dressed in all-white infiltrated audience seating areas. Actors in black SWAT team suits swarmed the upper decks, flashing hand held lights at audience members. Rocky made his entrance from the middle of the floor, completely surrounded by fans waving their towels as “Grim Freestyle” blasted through the speakers.
From there, Rocky launched into “Trunks” and “HIGHJACK,” opening the night with selections from Don’t Be Dumb while mixing in fan favorites from throughout his catalog, including songs from TESTING. Backed by flashing lights, smoke machines, dancers, pyrotechnics and even fireworks the performance balanced his newest material with the hits that established his career.
The night’s first major surprise came when Grammy-winning film composer Danny Elfman joined Rocky onstage for performances of “PUNK ROCKY” and “Sundress,” adding live instrumentation to both songs. Rocky paused to recognize Elfman’s decades-long career composing scores for films including Beetlejuice and The Nightmare Before Christmas.
One of the biggest surprises of the night was undoubtedly hometown hero Tyler, The Creator. As the opening notes of their 2017 collaboration “Who Dat Boy” rang through the arena, Tyler emerged to deafening cheers from the crowd. Tyler then treated fans to a performance of “EARFQUAKE,” with thousands singing every lyric in unison to his 2019 hit.
For the final act, Rocky shifted into classics from LONG.LIVE.A$AP and LIVE.LOVE.A$AP, inviting fans to shout out song requests throughout the arena. Chants for favorites including “L$D” and “Excuse Me” echoed through the Forum before Rocky closed the night with “Fashion Killa,” “Stay Here for Life” and “Lord Pretty Flacko Jodye 2.”
Rocky continues the North American leg of the Don’t Be Dumb Tour this evening, playing the first of three Canadian shows in Vancouver’s Rogers Arena Wednesday before shows in Edmonton and Calgary later this week. Rocky will conclude the U.S. run on July 11 in Newark, New Jersey. The tour resumes in Europe in late August.