The hip-hop realm has been eagerly anticipating the resurgence of a true lyrical luminary, and ScHoolboy Q has answered the call with the unveiling of his sixth studio album, ‘BLUE LIPS.’ This 18-track masterpiece is a testament to the artist’s unwavering commitment to authenticity and his ability to weave intricate narratives that resonate with listeners on a profound level.
A Tapestry of Collaborations
One of the hallmarks of ‘BLUE LIPS’ is its eclectic array of collaborations, each one adding a unique flavor to the overall sonic landscape. ScHoolboy Q has joined forces with a diverse roster of artists, including the fiery Rico Nasty, the introspective Ab-Soul, the enigmatic Jozzy, the dynamic Childish Major, and the captivating Lance Skiiiwalker, among others. These collaborations not only showcase Q’s versatility but also his ability to seamlessly blend his distinctive style with that of his collaborators, creating a harmonious fusion of sounds and perspectives.
The Singles that Paved the Way
Before the release of ‘BLUE LIPS,’ ScHoolboy Q whetted the appetites of his fans with a series of tantalizing singles. The infectious “Blueslides,” the heartfelt “Back n Love,” the introspective “Yeern 101,” the playful “Cooties,” and the soulful “Love Birds” served as appetizers, whetting the palate for the main course that was to come.
A Captivating Performance on ‘The Tonight Show’
In a momentous occasion, ScHoolboy Q graced the stage of “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon” to perform the album’s standout track, “oHio.” With his handwritten album title emblazoned in the background, the Top Dawg Entertainment talent delivered a captivating performance, showcasing his lyrical prowess and infectious energy. Rapping over a production masterfully crafted by Cardo, Devin Malik, J.LBS, Jason Wool, Johnny Juliano, Mario Luciano, Tae Beast, and YeX, Q’s uplifting bars resonated with the audience, offering a glimpse into his journey of self-discovery and perseverance.
The Lyrical Odyssey
“Gotta catch up to my levels/ Try to stay Black, young fella/ Almost died twice, but let’s get it/ Got a AmEx with no limits/ Gettin’ hand-dressed, that’s different/ I done hit the world with my Crippin’,” Q rapped on the late-night telecast, encapsulating the essence of his lyrical odyssey. His words are a testament to his resilience, his unwavering determination to rise above adversity, and his commitment to staying true to his roots while embracing the trappings of success.
The Artistic Evolution
‘BLUE LIPS’ arrives five years after ScHoolboy Q’s critically acclaimed ‘CrasH Talk,’ which featured an impressive roster of collaborators, including Travis Scott, 21 Savage, 6LACK, Ty Dolla Sign, YG, Kid Cudi, and Lil Baby. The album not only earned a respectable No. 3 placement on the Billboard 200 but also debuted at No. 1 on Billboard’s Top R&B/Hip Hop Albums chart and earned a gold certification, solidifying Q’s status as a force to be reckoned with in the hip-hop realm.
The Art of Vulnerability
In an interview with “BACKONFIGG,” the “Collard Greens” rapper shed light on the rationale behind the considerable gaps between his projects. “As an artist, if I don’t bring nothing to the table that comes from my life, I don’t feel I should put it out,” he explained. “I try my best to keep it in my art. It has to be in my art because God gave me this gift to express myself. It’s almost like a therapist. You have to be truthful. You have to be vulnerable for people who are scared to do that.”
This commitment to vulnerability and authenticity is woven into the fabric of ‘BLUE LIPS,’ as ScHoolboy Q bares his soul, sharing his triumphs, struggles, and introspections with his listeners, inviting them to embark on a journey of self-discovery alongside him.
‘BLUE LIPS’ is more than just an album; it is a sonic odyssey that invites listeners to embark on a transformative journey alongside ScHoolboy Q. With its authentic narratives, eclectic collaborations, and unwavering commitment to artistic expression, this body of work resonates with a profound sense of honesty and vulnerability, solidifying Q’s status as a true lyrical luminary in the hip-hop realm.
Schoolboy Q, a renowned rapper and an emblem of modern hip-hop, has unveiled the exciting news of his upcoming ‘Blue Lips’ Summer Tour. This tour is set to be a musical journey to promote his latest album, Blue Lips – a record that is already making waves in the music industry.
A Summer of Music with Schoolboy Q
The rapper, in collaboration with Top Dawg Entertainment, made the big announcement on Wednesday via a series of social media posts. These posts not only highlighted the tour but also the numerous cities that Q is scheduled to visit.
“This summer, join me on the road for the ‘Blue Lips’ Weekend tour – it’s going to be a trip!” – Schoolboy Q
The Journey Begins in Toronto
The ‘Blue Lips’ Weekend tour is scheduled to commence in Toronto on July 18. From there, it will journey through various North American cities including Chicago, Washington, D.C., Atlanta, and Brooklyn. The tour is set to culminate in Seattle on August 11. The anticipation for the tour is already palpable, with tickets set to go on sale Friday, April 26.
More Weekends on the Cards?
Interestingly, Schoolboy Q initially hinted that he was planning only a limited number of shows. However, in a subsequent tweet, he teased the possibility of extending the tour.
“Only a handful of shows for now… Might add more weekends. Stay tuned!” – Schoolboy Q
A New Chapter in Schoolboy Q’s Musical Journey
The upcoming tour is in promotion of Schoolboy Q’s sixth studio album, Blue Lips, which was released on March 1. The album made an impressive debut at No. 13 on the Billboard 200 chart and features guest appearances by notable artists such as Ab-Soul, Freddie Gibbs, Rico Nasty, and more. Two days after the album’s release, Q declared it his favorite work to date.
An Album for the Artists
In a series of tweets, Schoolboy Q shared his motivation behind creating Blue Lips. He expressed his desire not to waste his talent over a viral moment and emphasized his dedication to his craft.
“I’m 2 good to let my talent go to waste over a viral moment.. I’m 37 and still Hungry I Honestly don’t tHink nobody can fuck wit me to be real,” – Schoolboy Q
He also explained his absence from interviews prior to the album release, stating he wanted to keep the focus solely on the music.
The Countdown Begins
As the countdown to the ‘Blue Lips’ Summer Tour begins, fans of Schoolboy Q are excitedly preparing for what promises to be an unforgettable series of performances. With Schoolboy Q at the helm, the summer of 2024 is gearing up to be one for the books.
As part of his new album The Great Escape, Larry June and The Alchemist have released a new track listing that includes 15 soulful tracks, as well as guest appearances from Big Sean, Action Bronson, Ty Dolla $ign, Curren$y, Wiz Khalifa, Joey BADA$$, and more. One of the most well-known tracks from the album is “Palisades, CA,” “89 Earthquake,” “60 Days,” and “Porsches In Spanish,” during which Larry June delivers vivid rhymes about the past and present lives he has lived as well as those who have not.
Miggs and Marcela Recio were behind the accompanying video for the single, “Porsches In Spanish” which paints a very colorful picture of Larry June and Al catching vibes somewhere in Mexico, along with a couple of classic Porsches that quickly steal the show from them. In addition to enjoying fine dining together, the duo can be seen taking a stroll over the water, chatting, and enjoying some time together.
As a preview to The Great Escape, as a follow-up to his 2022 solo debut Spaceships on the Blade, the band offers a complete collection of 20 songs with guest appearances from Curren$y, Babyface Ray, Syd, DUCKWRTH, Herm Lewis, 2 Chainz, and Wallo267. A couple of years ago, he worked with Jay Worthy in a group called 2 P’z In A Pod. During the same year, The Alchemist was responsible for the release of three full-length projects, which included The Elephant Man’s Bones with Roc Marciano, Continuance with Curren$y, and The Alchemist Sandwich, an album that was enhanced by contributions from ScHoolboy Q, Earl Sweatshirt, and more.
It has been confirmed that Ab-Soul will be unveiling his highly anticipated Herbert album on Friday, December 16, which will be his first album in six years. The album has already been given a few previews so far, including “Moonshooter,” “Hollandaise,” and “Do Better.” However, on top of these samples, Ab-Soul recently dropped off another sneak peek at the upcoming project, a mysterious visual for the track he calls “Bucket.” In the short video clip, Ab-Soul appears to be pulling into a liquor store and picking up someone while spitting his bars:
Aside from the cover artwork and track listing, the “Gang’Nem” rapper also revealed the official album artwork last week. A total of 18 songs will be featured by Herbert. This includes collaborations with Zacari, Big Sean, Fre$h, Jhené Aiko, SiR, Joey Bada$$, Punch, Ambré, Russ, ALEMEDA, and Lance Skiiiwalker for features. In the meantime, production will be handled by a number of prominent producers, including DJ Dahi, James Blake, Sounwave, Hit-Boy, DJ Premier, Boi-1da, and more.
The last album Ab-Soul released was Do What Thou Wilt, a 16-track collection featuring guest appearances by labelmates ScHoolboy Q and SZA, Rapsody, Da$H, Kokane, BR3, Zacari, and the late Mac Miller. Since then, he has provided features and assistance on various albums and compilations, including Black Panther the Album (Music from and Inspired By), Jhene Aiko’s Chilombo, among others.
In anticipation of the release of Joey Bada$$’s 2000 album on July 22, he has provided fans with a brief preview entitled “Zipcodes.” The accompanying video revolves around the track’s title by following Joey through different cities. The Waqas Ghani-directed visual embodies the lyrics by showing up by the Louvre Museum in Paris and shopping all over Europe:
There was a previously scheduled release for the album earlier this month, but it was postponed at the last minute as a result of a sample clearance issue. From the year 2000, fans were able to enjoy “Head High,” “Survivor’s Guilt,” and “Where I Belong,” which was dedicated to departed artists Junior B and Capital Steez.
Following the release of ALL-AMERIKKKAN BADA$$ in 2017, titled 2000, which featured a variety of artists, Chronixx, ScHoolboy Q, Nyck Caution, Meechy Darko, Kirk Knight, Styles P, and J. Cole. Five thousand album equivalent units were sold during its first week on the Billboard 200, making the project a top five success for Joey.
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