Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jul 8, 2026

Ruby Rosary

"Ruby Rosary" is a song by American rapper ASAP Rocky featuring fellow American rapper J. Cole. Produced by the Alchemist, it was released on September 6, 2024, as the intended third single from Rocky's upcoming fourth studio album Don't Be Dumb; however, the song was not included on the album.

Last revised
Jul 8, 2026
Read time
≈ 4 min
Length
810 w
Citations
25
Source
"Ruby Rosary"
Single by ASAP Rocky featuring J. Cole
from the album Don't Be Dumb (intended)
ReleasedSeptember 6, 2024
GenreHip-hop
Length4:16
Label
Songwriters
ProducerThe Alchemist
ASAP Rocky singles chronology
"Tailor Swif"
(2024)
"Ruby Rosary"
(2024)
"Big Dawgs" (Remix)
(2024)
J. Cole singles chronology
"Summer Drop"
(2024)
"Ruby Rosary"
(2024)
"A Plate Of Collard Greens"
(2024)

"Ruby Rosary" is a song by American rapper ASAP Rocky featuring fellow American rapper J. Cole. Produced by the Alchemist, it was released on September 6, 2024, as the intended third single from Rocky's upcoming fourth studio album Don't Be Dumb; however, the song was not included on the album.

Composition and lyrics

The song contains downtempo piano-led beat.123 ASAP Rocky performs the first two verses, in which he brags about his fashion style and position in the rap industry,4 In the second verse, he directs subliminal shots toward fellow rapper Drake in response to his diss tracks "Push Ups" and "Family Matters",245 rapping "Who dared me to die? / You a dead man walkin', like you barely alive / Cut everything but the family ties / Cut the shit, cut the lies, word to the wise / Who in your top five? (Fuck your top five) / I don't get fresh to death, bitch, I'm buried alive / I heard dawg talkin' funny, like it's Family Guy / Carin' for niggas like I'm Mary or Bob / Made a promise to God / You gotta strive when you marry the mob".2346 The lyrics reference "Buried Alive", the interlude on Drake's album Take Care which Kendrick Lamar (whom Drake is feuding with) raps on, as well as the disses that Drake and Lamar aimed at each other about their families in "Family Matters" and "Meet the Grahams".26 J. Cole performs the third and final verse,34 in which he raps about continuing to be a successful rapper5 and ignoring his past.3

Critical reception

The song was well received by music critics. Elias Andrews of HotNewHipHop wrote, "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."7 Shawn Grant of The Source described the song as "blending Rocky's dynamic style with Cole's sharp lyricism."8 Tom Breihan of Stereogum commented "it's got Rocky flexing an understated swagger, rhyming 'Rosalía' with 'Jodeci' and 'ovaries.' J. Cole, meanwhile, absolutely spazzes out, spacewalking on the beat as if he's convinced himself that he can make everyone forget the Kendrick debacle if he raps hard enough."9 Aaron Williams of Uproxx called it a "mournful dirge for their foes".10

Charts

Chart performance for "Ruby Rosary"
Chart (2024) Peak
position
Canada Hot 100 (Billboard)11 92
New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ)12 5
US Billboard Hot 10013 85
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)14 22
References

References

  1. Kreps, Daniel (September 6, 2024). "A$AP Rocky Teams With J. Cole for New Song 'Ruby Rosary'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 20 September 2024.
  2. Cho, Regina (September 6, 2024). "Fans Speculate A$AP Rocky Dissed Drake On New "Ruby Rosary" Track Feat. J. Cole". Vibe. Retrieved 20 September 2024.
  3. Gilbert, Natalee (September 6, 2024). "Some Fans Think ASAP Rocky Dissed Drake on New Song 'Ruby Rosary' Featuring J. Cole, Do You?". XXL. Retrieved 20 September 2024.
  4. Saponara, Michael (September 6, 2024). "Here's Why Fans Think A$AP Rocky Is Dissing Drake on J. Cole Collab 'Ruby Rosary': Listen". Billboard. Retrieved 20 September 2024.
  5. Caraan, Sophie (September 6, 2024). "A$AP Rocky Enlists J. Cole For Ominous New Single "Ruby Rosary"". Hypebeast. Retrieved 20 September 2024.
  6. Williams, Aaron (September 6, 2024). "Did ASAP Rocky Diss Drake On 'Ruby Rosary'?". Uproxx. Retrieved 20 September 2024.
  7. Andrews, Elias (September 6, 2024). "ASAP Rocky And J Cole Get In Their Bag On New Single "Ruby Rosary"". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved 20 September 2024.
  8. Grant, Shawn (September 6, 2024). "A$AP Rocky Drops New Single "RUBY ROSARY" Featuring J. Cole". The Source. Retrieved 20 September 2024.
  9. Breihan, Tom (September 6, 2024). "A$AP Rocky – "Ruby Rosary" (Feat. J. Cole)". Stereogum. Retrieved 20 September 2024.
  10. Williams, Aaron (September 6, 2024). "ASAP Rocky And J. Cole's Murky, Alchemist-Produced 'Ruby Rosary' Is A Dirge For Their Enemies". Uproxx. Retrieved 20 September 2024.
  11. "ASAP Rocky Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved September 20, 2024.
  12. "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. September 16, 2024. Retrieved September 20, 2024.
  13. "ASAP Rocky Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved September 20, 2024.
  14. "ASAP Rocky Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved September 20, 2024.