This week, Compton rapper ScHoolboy Q released his much anticipated debut album Oxymoron. Q rose to the rap scene with the rap group Black Hippie, which included Jay Rock, Ab-Soul, and the extremely well known Kendrick Lamar. I had the fortune of seeing him at the House of Blues in Dallas in November 2012 when he toured with Danny Brown and A$AP Rocky. He has released numerous mixtapes and has been featured on countless songs, but this is Q's first studio album. From what I have heard, critics have had mixed reviews, and I understand why. While I personally think it's great, I can see how it's not for everyone. Compton has definitely had a large influence on Q's music. This can be heard in his instrumentals, which are reminiscent of classic L.A. rap (largely due to the fact that Dr. Dre, who is from Compton, produced many of the beats for the artists with Death Row).
Like those classic rappers, Q tells cautionary street tales, most likely derived from his life of drug dealing and his association with gang members (though Q himself is not known to be in a gang), as well as remorseful woes. The album earns its name when Q turns from these cautions and woes to a celebration of partying, with songs like "Collard Greens."
It is songs like these (his "radio songs," if you will) that allow Q to gain popularity and make a name that is known by mainstream hip-hop fans. These are the catchy songs that everyone enjoys listening to, however, his other songs are much more honest and genuine, and show where he is from. Overall, I greatly enjoy Schoolboy Q's album, but I don't think mainstream music listeners would enjoy every song on the album.
Preview and buy album here.
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