School Boy Q King of T.D.E.? : Album Review

As a fan of T.D.E. as a whole and School Boy Q and not just riding the wave of recent success but listening to their music for a few years at least, that I couldn’t wait to see what they come with next and that’s School Boy Q’s debut release. Oxymoron. Congrats to School boy and T.D.E.  for debuting on NUMBER 1 on the Billboard Charts. They’re first artist to do so. And School Boy and T.D.E. you “Got Tha Juice”.  Although he is not K-dot, I at least expected a level of artistry above most. The title itself made me curious to know what his album is going sound like and be about.  Oxymoron, for those who doesn’t know what it means, is “a figure of speech in which apparently contradictory terms appear in conjunction.”

So lets get to it… this is what I think about the album and every track on it.

I think the first track (few tracks) or intro of any album sets a the tone of the world you are about to enter… so the song “Gangster” kicks it off and if you are a gang banger from East LA or just might like the most ignorant shit you can find then this song is perfect, but for other like me you might just skip to the next one. I did skip it but I went back to give a thorough listen through to see what tip he was on and its cool for what it is the verse flowed well with the beat, but the hook is annoying. Track 2. Los Awesome featuring Jay Rock is on some gangster shit too, but with a fun playful tone to it… if you heard in the club people can groove to it, but I am not a fan of this track either and was eager to jump to the next one. Track numero Tres “Collard Greens” featuring Kendrick, was his first released single for obvious reasons. Its a cool tolerable song with everyones new favorite lyricist Kdot. this was the first track I heard before the album dropped and felt Q was on the right track.

 

Track four “What They Want” featuring 2 Chainz, I thought this song was dope with a cool beat and when Tity Boi put his stank all on it, I forgot who’s song it really was and felt like I wanted to here 2 Chainz go in more not saying Q did’t do it justice, he just was just out shined by the “swag” of the veteran club hit maker. Track 5 I started to have more hope with “Hoover Street” it sounded like a classic School Boy Q type record he actually told a story reminiscing about his childhood and where he came from and the gang culture that mad him who he is today.  Track 6 “Studio” featuring BJ the Chicago kid, really dope… something you can chill and listen to smoke a jay wit ya girl and rub on her booty while she show off how she will twerk to it in the club…. so yea I can dig that. “Prescription/Oxymoron” title track… I feel like this track should’ve been the first two songs on the album. Prescription drugs would’ve been a dope intro the turn it up with Oxymoron, which is to me one of his best performances on the album. Really the second half of the album starting from P/O should’ve been the first half and should’ve move that Gangsta and Los awesome to the back. The Purge is a dope  and unique Cali collaboration with Tyler the Creator and the OG Kurupt. “Blind Threats” was one of my favorite tracks when it comes to actually lyrical verses and the vet Raekwon which always slay anything he gets on with the classic Wu story telling. “Hell Of A Night”, I like how it’s a club track that can be played in all most any type of club (hip-hop,  EDM, etc.). “Break The Bank his most recently released single (see video in post)… at first I couldn’t get with it because of the annoying hook, but then it grew on me feel like it’s a solid track and   the line “Tell Kendrick move from the throne, I came for it” I felt was him just saying its his time to shine and represent.

“Man of the Year” is a fun turn-up track that is all him and just listening to it will make any man especially non-sober man will feel like they’re the King for the night in a place full of beautiful women. Plus every guy that watch that video will really appreciate the concept and will wish they were School Boy Kill for that day with all the eye candy in the video, s/o to Somar (see here in an Twenty7 Magazine editorial issue). “His & Her Friend” is a cool interlude type track, and was a good intro of SZA given it a very sexy vibe with her pleasant vocals. And follows up with  “Grooveline Pt. 2” just let people know he’s a not only a Gangster but he display his talent for knockin a hoe on some real pimp shit  with Sugar Free putting his funk all on it. “Fuck LA” is one of those tracks that just make you wanna throw ya middle fingers up and bounce to the beat with no care in the world, Craig… bump it with the windows down on the freeway in 5o’clock traffic. Yeah.

After “Fuck LA” this is where “Gangsta” will fit perfect followed by the next few tracks and “Studio” maybe before the “His & Her”. Overall I feel its a solid album (if listened to in the order I suggestion), at first I didn’t like as much, but after really listening to it straight through again I feel a lil better about it.

On a scale of 1-27 (with 27 being “a Classic”  and 1 being “a Weed tray”) I give this album a “22”

This is really a matter of opion and nonjudgmental criticism. If you disagree or agree with me on some points, feel free to leave a comment and tell us what you think.

Peace

J.Ru