In light of its fifth anniversary, we owe a deep look at one of Top Dawg Entertainment’s finest products, Blank Face LP (2016) by ScHoolboy Q. While Oxymoron remains his most famous album, its not controversial to say that Blank Face LP is where Q truly evolves as a top MC of the new school.
Q masters a variety of different styles throughout the 17-song track list, making for an exploration of himself as a rapper, ex-con, Black man, father, and simply just as a person. It’s one of the most honest self-portraits of recent Hip-Hop, thrusting us into his life. After a good and detailed listen to Blank Face LP, you will be fully acquainted with ScHoolboy Q.
As the ticket shape of the album cover indicates, this project plays out like a movie. Fittingly, TorcH, featuring Anderson Paak, is a perfect translation of an opening title sequence into song form. At five minutes, it’s a proportionally long introduction into the world of Blank Face LP. It feels dangerous, yet addictingly atmospheric; much like the entire album.
After the following two tracks, Lord Have Mercy and THat Part (featuring Kanye West), the entire vibe of the album is established. TorcH speaks for the hard-edged coke and gangsta rap, Lord Have Mercy for the atmospheric vibe, and THat Part for the party bangers. These three styles are interspersed perfectly throughout the album with consistent balance.
“Told me put the gun down, I’m probably gon’ die”
The former two styles come together in exquisite marriage in the two-parter fourth track, Groovy Tony/Eddie Kane. If there’s any song that could speak for this entire album it would be this, which is fitting seeing that the Groovy Tony half is the lead single. In a style similar to Griselda, Q and Jadakiss spit hard crack selling and gangbanging bars over a sharp hazy beat. Unhappy with the possibility that Jadakiss ran him on his own song, Q adds the Eddie Kane half to the song. In a heartfelt confession over a beautiful instrumental, this is one of the most artistic and thoughtful cuts of his career.
Beyond Groovy Tony, there’s plenty more hard cutting and forward thinking gangsta rap tracks on here. Ride Out, featuring Vince Staples, is explosive and messy in the best ways possible, the two Cali MC’s complementing each other with ease. Dope Dealer fuses the coke rap style with a party banger style, featuring an…interesting E-40 verse. And of course, the final song on the album, Tookie Knows II, might be the hardest cut on the album.
“We might die for this shit…”
While track 17, Blank Face, thematically wraps up the album, stylistically and thematically (and with another .Paak feature), Tookie Knows II was an intentionally chosen ending. Q and his childhood friends, Traffic and TF, rip the trunk knocking piano beat to shreds. All three verses are among the strongest on the entire album, with both of Q’s lesser known friends matching his skill with ease. While it would normally fit better in the middle of the track list, it’s at the end because you’ll instantly rewind the entire LP after hearing it.
Of course, these hard cuts would pale without softness in between. These are just as important as they build the cinematic environment of the album. For example, the placement of Know Ya Wrong as the fifth track gives space to breathe in between Groovy Tony and Ride Out, while following the Eddie Kane half seamlessly.
If you aren’t a fan of Overtime, neither is ScHoolboy Q, who said that the label forced him to make it. Luckily, songs like By Any Means, Black THoughts, Neva CHange (featuring SZA), more than make up for it. These are essential parts of building the album’s ambience, but the strongest effort here comes in the form of the set piece, Str8 Ballin’.
“Hidin’ from the reaper tryna dodge the cage, the shit I’ve done to rhyme on this stage”
Str8 Ballin’ is fairly overlooked as one of the most important tracks on the album. Over a gigantic string-induced beat, Q sums up the story of his career. Its another hustlin’ to rappin’ type story but Q’s ability to ride the beat and perform with such openness sets it apart. You can almost see tears forming in his eyes at the end of each verse before Jesse Rankins ties the song together with his gorgeous hook.
Beyond these two styles, Q’s advanced thinking translates wonderfully to the party tracks. The aforementioned Dope Dealer doubles as a coke rap banger. Big Body‘s quality is debatable but with Tha Dogg Pound featured, it’s a very fun homage to old California rap. WHateva U Want is an intoxicating euro-style club anthem, though outside of Q’s assumed comfort zone, he absolutely owns it. Nevertheless, there is no track from Blank Face LP more famous than THat Part.
Q and Kanye do their thing, innovating a new style while speaking to fans of artists like Migos. The flow is simple yet gritty while the beat is infectiously bangin’. Q upped the ante by including the Black Hippy members in on a remix single of the song. Arguably better than the original version, Q brings an even stronger verse here while Jay Rock and Kendrick Lamar bring two of their greatest feature verses.
“Bellin’ through the motherfuckin’ street y’all!”
Lastly, there’s JoHn Muir, an anomaly to the other styles yet remains perfectly fitting in the middle of the album. Over a somewhat playful beat mixed with a lovely hook, Q freestyles both of his verses, and they’re fantastic! Just another perfect exhibition of his skill and talent laden in Blank Face LP.
It’s rare for an album of this length to have each song be worth a mention but ScHoolboy Q truly earns it with Blank Face LP. Q exhibits brilliant personal growth, talent, and absolute artistry. If you want a small taste of the album, check out the short film consisting of music videos for By Any Means, Tookie Knows II, and Black THoughts. These will testify to the engagingly cinematic ambience of the album.
Blank Face LP Rating: Platinum
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Jason Heilbronner | Twitter: @JasonHeilbronn1