THe Oxymoron rapper ScHoolboy Q released a classic five years ago today
Blank Face LP is criminally underrated.
5 years ago today, TDE rapper ScHoolboy Q released one of the best rap albums of 2016, Blank Face LP.
This was after a long list of promotional teasers, singles and performances.
On June 14, 2016, ScHoolboy Q revealed that his next album would be titled Blank Face LP.
In addition, he unveiled what was thought to be the album’s cover art. The artwork makes use of the infamous Crying Jordan meme, with his face blurred out.
On June 16, ScHoolboy Q released the “cover art” for the deluxe edition of the album, which features US presidential candidate Donald Trump with his face blurred.
However, a few days later, ScHoolboy revealed that he was trolling his fans and later unveiled the official album cover
On June 24, ScHoolboy Q released the short film, titled By Any Means.
Later that month, ScHoolboy Q released Tookie Knows II, the continuation of his short film By Any Means.
Finally, on July 11, Schoolboy Q released the third installment to his mini-film series, titled Black THougHts (Pt. 3).
The album was supported by two singles, Groovy Tony and THat Part ( ft. Kanye West). The single version of Groovy Tony is different from the album version as there is an outstanding Jadakiss verse, along with another verse from Q on the album version.
The album was released on July 8, 2016.
From beginning to end, the album is a whirlwind of hard west coast gangsta rap. Blaring guitars and heavy bass starts the project out with “TorcH”. An almost bone-chilling performance from Q and Vince Staples on “Ride Out”. A smooth and introspective cut from ScHoolboy and SZA on “Neva CHange”. The dark and gritty ending to the album with “Tookie Knows II”.
Everything about the album is well-placed and produced. Q is the star of his own world, floating over tracks with his signature off-the-wall cadences and flows. Above all, his story of pain, struggle and survival is sprinkled throughout the entire project.
Blank Face LP Is ScHoolboy Q’s magnum opus and a modern day classic, not just for rap but for west coast music. Moreover, Blank Face LP was critically acclaimed when it hit the scene back in 2016. However, commercial success did not come until much later.
Following release, “THaT Part” went on to dominate radio as a song of the summer, going double platinum and being nominated for Best Rap Performance at the 2017 Grammys. In addition, Blank Face LP was nominated for the Best Rap Album category, but lost to Chance the Rapper’s “Coloring Book”.
Blank Face LP will go down in history as a project that should have gotten more praise when released. Hopefully, the birthday of this classic album will have people go back and listen to how great Blank Face is.
Happy 5th Birthday Blank Face LP!
For more on Blank Face, check out a full-length album review here.
Written by Demetrius Sadler | Twitter: @thademigod7