Harlem’s own kicked off his 43-city international tour at Chicago’s United Center, celebrating his career with an apocalyptic rave for the ages
Steph Photos
In the days since A$AP Rocky’s Don’t Be Dumb seemingly became another rap urban legend, Chicago has been a part of the album’s journey. I remember when he premiered songs from it at the 2021 Lyrical Lemonade Summer Smash. You might even remember when he closed out 2025’s Lollapalooza when he famously rappelled from a helicopter on the stage. At Rocky’s Don’t Be Dumb World Tour kickoff show at Chicago’s United Center (May 27), all the love came full circle as he delivered a hot show (seven years in the making) strictly for the fans.
Beside the Bulls and Blackhawks championship ceiling-high banners towered a similar black and white police helicopter. Fans couldn’t help but gawk and question whether A$AP Rocky was going to jump out of the chopper again like he did last year. Turns out, he wanted to surprise the fans and make his grand entrance to “Grim Freestyle” from the nosebleeds. That was the first of many moments throughout the night where Rocky wanted to make sure that everyone in the building got to see him and experience him up close, regardless of where they were. After he hit us over the head with the explosive “Trunks” and “Highjack,” he arrived in the middle of the stage in that same helicopter.
A$AP Rocky performs from a helicopter at the Don’t Be Dumb Tour kickoff show in Chicago.
Steph Photos
A few songs after Rocky descended from the helicopter and started performing on the rustic structure, he scolded his production crew over behind-the-scenes technical issues. He complained about not hearing through his headphones and about silhouettes from the lights not being placed correctly.
“First off, to my crew, get this shit together,” he proclaimed. “I can’t hear shit in my headphones, and I don’t want to keep stopping the show like this, so let’s get this mothafucka right because these people paid good money to see my Black ass tonight.”
He added, “We ain’t gon stop. I don’t give a fuck if I can’t hear shit. We ain’t stoppin’ shit, fuck that. No fucking excuses, I’ve been waiting all day to see ya’ll mothafuckas.”
From there, A$AP Rocky and his dancers donned intimidating riot gear and rocked out down an industrialized, rebel-meets-militarized themed runway, making it feel like a rave at the end of the world. As the helicopter shone a spotlight on a formed mosh pit, which was shown on the stage’s large screens, he charmingly said, “Get that baby out the mosh pit, he’s only 6 years old. I love the kids.”
A$AP Rocky towers over fans at kickoff show for Don’t Be Dumb Tour.
Steph Photos
Later in the show, Rocky called for a moment of silence for the late, great ASAP Yams. Unfortunately, rude attendees couldn’t keep it together. Instead of paying respect, they kept chanting song requests. That left a sour taste for an otherwise energizing performance of “Yamborgini High” with a few of the remaining members of the A$AP Mob.
Beyond the album cuts, the Fashion Killa’s best moments were all the B-sides, soundtrack cuts, and nostalgic hits from 2012-2017. I was pleasantly surprised when “R. Cali,” a deep cut from the Grand Theft Auto V soundtrack, was performed, which was quite rare. Other musical treats included the unreleased “Middle Fingers” and the monumental collaboration with former Chi-Town protégé, Famous Dex. Unfortunately, he wasn’t in the building for what would’ve made for a historic moment in Chicago.
The closing hour of the show was dedicated to the hits from his historic Live, Love, A$AP mixtape and his debut album Long Love A$AP, which turned people like me into believers. Hearing “Peso” live brought me back to my days at Jackson State University, when the song’s visuals frequently aired on MTVU. His performance of “Purple Swag” brought relaxing, cerebral yet intoxicating vibes, with purple lights flashing.
Rocky finally brought it home with his Brent Faiyaz smash hit “Stay Here 4 Life,” performing it atop a long, narrow structure with a circle of dancers around him. Looking like the crown prince atop his own float, he went in a full circle, enthusiastically waving to every single person in the crowd in every section. It felt like a moment where he took in all the love around him and savored having such a victorious night. And just when fans thought he was done, he closed out to “Lord Pretty Flacko Jodye 2.”
A$AP Rocky’s Don’t Be Dumb tour is a well-deserved victory lap to celebrate not just one of his strongest albums, but his extensive and unique catalog that endeared him to millions of fans around the world (despite what Drake thinks). Technical hiccups aside, the Chicago show was an exceptional kickoff to what looks to be a monumental tour of the year.
