ScHoolboy Q – Oxymoron
6/7
Oxymoron is ScHoolboy Q’s third studio album, but his first major album release under Top Dawg Entertainment and Interscope Records.
The album consists of 15 tracks and includes several crucial features that add an extra “oomph” to the album, making it that much more monumental. Kendrick Lamar, being Q’s big brother and mentor and head of TDE, is featured on one of the album’s hit singles, “Collard Greens.” The track’s hook and beat is undeniably catchy, and every listener cannot help but bob their head to this song. The track gives off an overall fun vibe; a song you want to party to. Since the album dropped on Feb. 25, “Collard Greens” has been blasted at the house parties and fraternities at IU.
The entire album was highly anticipated by not only ScHoolboy Q fans, but fans of TDE and Kendrick Lamar. As for myself, I was excited for the album, but not as excited as I was for Kid Cudi’s (whose album Satellite Flight surprise released the same day). Cudi ended up holding the number one spot on iTunes for the entire week, however I would have to say that Oxymoron is the better album. The features and singles are not only crazy talented lyrically speaking, but they are hits among the hip-hop world and college party scene; this is something Oxymoron was able to achieve that Satellite Flight could not.
ScHoolboy Q also features two other huge rap artists on two later tracks in the album, 2 Chainz on “What They Want” and Tyler, the Creator on “the Purge.” These tracks were not singles, but are favorites among listeners because of the slower, contagious beat, and obviously the amazing feature artists.
The second party anthem of this season would be “Man Of The Year.” This track picks the later half of the album back up with a wilder vibe. The middle of the album is a bit slower and darker, but a great listen nonetheless. “Man Of The Year” is another one of Q’s singles on Oxymoron, and it is easy to hear why. This song is popular among the male fan base with its chorus, “Shake it for the man of the year,” but a girl can definitely jam to it as well.
Oxymoron is filled with hits and lyrically fantastic from start to finish. Highly recommended for Kendrick, Danny Brown, or A$AP Mob fans – a very similar style, but unique in its own way as well. It's worth a listen, especially now that Q has been announced as this year's Little 500 concert by Union Board.
