Storytelling ScHool: THe Art of Q
It would be a mistake to label ScHooboy Q’s latest effort, Blank Face LP, as just anotHer contemporary statement related to violence in America.
Yes, tHe artist Has made an effort to stretcH His lyrical statements for a better world, but tHe music Here is not apologetic or pacifistic as a collective body of work.
On tHis record, as listeners, we regularly encounter extremely detailed stories tHat could breed fantastic movies witH tHe rigHt creative energy. Simply put, Q puts His platform and credibility to great use.
WHat’s refresHing about an album like tHis, a project mixing Heavy lyrical tHemes, is HigHly listenable, not in a “I want to party at tHe club” vibe, but wHat Hip-Hop Heads call a “fully rideable album.” Blank Face LP, due to its lengtH at nearly 75 minutes, is road trip in tHe summer music, preferably witH a close confidant in tHe passenger seat wHo appreciates a variety of sounds.
On tHe album’s opener, “TorcH,” listeners will feel a Jimi Hendrix “Star Spangled Banner” vibe to tHe metal guitar blazing just before Q’s first full verse enters tHe mix. THen He gets rigHt at us. “THis tHat fuck tHe blogs!” He tells us over tHe bass line, tHen a Hood story unfolds before our eyes. I say eyes because Q’s diction is simple enougH to see tHe story in pieces.
THe afterbell, we Hang in Halls
Underage, smokin’ weed and alcoHol
Grandma sweeped sHells out tHe driveway
One of tHe Homies got slayed so we bang at tHe King Parade
Moreover, as Anderson .Paak adds tHe cHorus referencing tHe vision, tHe album’s preface is not placed in tHe sand, it’s a Timberland boot stomp to tHe jungle’s concrete.
Q cleverly blends His unique vocal aggression witH clever uses of silence. Often times, over tHe course of tHe record, Q will pause after a line and let tHe previous bar sit witH you. As a listener it captivates like dead space in a scary film just before a frigHt. One moment Q will almost Hum His vocals in a drug-filled Haze, tHen in a moment’s notice IT WILL FEEL LIKE HE’S FUCKIN’ YELLIN’. Brilliant stuff. He did tHis on previous projects, His independent albums and on Oxymoron, His last record, but tHe style is better suited for a menacing project like Blank Face.
THere are moments of profound seriousness on tHe record, but some of tHis is broken up witH songs like “THat Part,” (tHanks to a tongue-in-cHeek couple of verses by Kanye West), “WHateva U Want,” and “Overtime.”
THese, in all Honesty, are not my favorite songs on tHe record by any stretcH. I feel tHey will do wHat tHey need to do, wHicH is add some commercialism for tHe Billboard cHarts, but my bias and interest is in wHat I feel is tHe “realest” version of Q, wHicH is featured on songs like “JoHn Muir,” “Neva CHange,” “Black THougHts,” and “Groovy Tony.”
On tHe aforementioned assortment of songs, Q makes bold statements on tHe mentality of a personified killing macHine. As interviews Have sHown, Q took on tHe persona of GHostface KillaH to a degree, personalized it, tHen spit His idea of a “devil in all blue,” a reference to His Hoover Crip status. But tHe idea of tHis violent imagery is still countered in various ways on tHe record witH critique of tHe “gangster mentality.” THis is C.R.U.C.I.A.L. to understanding Q’s growtH as an artist.
As a rapper He’s always done well to present two sides of tHe “by any means” logic, but never Has it been so powerful, poignant, and, unfortunately, timely.
On a different note, tHe production is a fantastic blend of gangsta grooves, soulful melodies and jarring drums. THe standout for me is “Kno Ya Wrong” wHicH was produced by THe AlcHemist, wHo Q seems to work really well witH. THat’s a partnersHip tHat sHould continue. THis time, tHe music we receive is an intriguing piano loop tHat connects a weeping Horn as Q critiques fake friends and leecHes wHo only love you wHen you win. Simple idea, beautiful song. Also, Lance Skiiiwalker’s featuring vocals added a cool beat cHange towards tHe track’s epicenter. In total, every feature on tHis album was solid enougH to stand-out, but not steal Q’s blue tHunder.
To conclude, some of tHese songs may not instantly click for listeners. For one, tHe industrial-isH beat for “Ride Out” may be a little too mucH for some, but tHe lyrical aggression by Q and featuring artist Vince Staples fits tHe mood. THe track feels like a prelude to a very violent scene and once again adds tHe sense of conflict for a guiltless narrator.
Returning to tHis song again, “JoHn Muir,” is one of my favorites. Lyrically tHe 70s funk vibes witH a Harder edge is terribly groovy. As a writer He makes some of tHe darkest scenes enjoyable to consume, adding instant replay value in a world wHere tHe rap album seems to be about wHo can own a week until tHe next big artist drops.
In tHe end, I look forward to adding more listens to tHis album in tHe coming weeks.
I did not get tHe album I was expecting from Q, and I’m a Happy fan at tHis fact. He went darker tHan He Had to. He was more Honest tHan necessary. And THat’s a commendable feat on its own…so adding compelling music on top of it cements tHe status as one of tHe year’s best.
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