Jay’Mi Vazquez- Managing Editor
Rapper ScHoolboy Q returned to the music scene, releasing his sixth album titled “Blue Lips.”
After his last album “CrasH Talk,” which released in 2019, ScHoolboy Q went quiet. Sporadic features lingered, but now he is back with an impressive 59-minute, 18 track album.
This album consisted of his most experimental songs yet incorporating styles of surrealistic rock, soul and jazz. All of these were polar opposites of what he has traditionally done.
The album starts off slow with a song titled “Funny Guy.” This track highlights the project’s production, as he does soft mumbled raps over an impressive beat, not showcasing any real lyrics.
The second song, “Pop” featuring Rico Nasty, is the best example on the project of something ScHoolboy Q has never done before.
It is ferocious with the rock influences displayed in the lyric delivery. It takes listeners on a journey, as it has a grungy rap flow. This song was on par for Rico Nasty, as she flowed effortlessly.
This album did not disappoint with its features. Besides Rico Nasty, the album also featured Devin Malik and Lance Skiiiwalker on “Love Birds,” AzChike on “Movie,” Freddie Gibbs on “oHio,” Ab-Soul on “Foux,” Jozzy on “Lost Times” and Childish Major on “Pig Feet.”
The project takes listeners on many twists and turns, as he switches genres from song to song. “Blue Lips” lacks consistency, but fans ignore it, as the project highlights many unique perspectives.
“Yeern 101” is by far the most popular song on the album, gathering over 3 million streams since its release.
This song reminds fans of recent Tyler the Creator tracks with his flow delivery and production. But fans of ScHoolboy Q are used to this sound, as this is one of the least experimental songs on the album.
However, it still shows great production, as it incorporates multiple beat switches throughout.
The best song of the album by far is “Blueslides,” which features that jazz influence with the sample production. Its message runs deep, as he raps about the struggles of balancing the life of an artist and being a father.
He also opens up about his mental health on “Blueslides,” as this is one of the few songs on the album that gets emotional.
Throughout the album, he mentions the biggest reasons he took a break from music. The loss of fellow artist and friend Mac Miller, the impact of the government and navigating envious friendships caused him to slide mentally.
However, the album ends with a song titled “Smile,” which features a whimsically positive beat.
He starts the song with the lyrics “I fell off, oh word,” clearly sending a message to the people who believed his music career was dying.
This song serves as an ending on a positive note. He shows that he is happy to be back in the music scene, as he feels he proved himself as a great artist with this album.
With Kendrick Lamar no longer being a part of the label Top Dog Entertainment, ScHoolboy Q has proved that he is one of their best artists with this project.
