Archive for February 2014

Home Archive for February 2014

Listed as one the most anticipated albums of the year, the question weighs heavy on TDE fans on whether Schoolboy Q's Oxymoron will deliver to the hype it's brought in the Hip Hop game. Delayed a few times, and being TDE's first album release since M.A.A.D City in 2012, the hype really started after Mac Miller's statement that "It's better than Kendrick's album…it's just filled with so much." And on paper, it would seem that it is flowing with potential- the track list includes several dogs in the game like Jay Rock, Kendrick himself, Tyler the Creator & others of such kind and calibre. Not to mention the production team…

However, after the tease releases of 'Collard Greens and 'Man of the Year', it didn't deliver to the hype it created. These two 'banger' tracks definitely raised the expectations higher for Oxymoron.

Is the album a classic? It could have been.
Is it whack?
Not exactly, but it's not the best either. And coming from Habits & Contradictions' previous success, the album disappoints- maybe it's just too personal for some fans to relate to/with.

After a first listen, the golden tracks are obvious (excluding Collard Greens & Man of the Year)-

1. 'Studio'- a smooth track that adds a steady balance of a vibe-feel to the album.
2. 'Prescription-Oxymoron'- a harder joint, one of a few tracks that delivers lyrically & is the most personal piece of the entire album.
3. 'Blind Threats'- the flow goes in, with a very catchy bridge (La-la, la-la…)
4. 'Break the Bank'- this goes hard too, complimenting the 90's rap vibe of the album

5. 'Fuck LA'- hella catchy, the beat rocks hard with the flow & at a good length to end it

Then the disappointments… for a duo like Q & Jay, 'Los Awesome' should've banged- but the beat outdoes their verses. 'Hoover Street' drags, 'The Purge' drags even longer- the lazy beat prevented a promising collaboration from delivering. The rest of the tracks though, could grow on Q's listeners with time.

So what did Q do right?
From an artist's perspective, the creativity is commendable. It tells the story of his personal journey. Using his little daughter as voice overs to convey innocence in an explicit content album makes sense, as for having Tyler on a track fans wouldn't normally hear him on (that's where the idea of 'oxymoron' comes in). His studies of M.A.A.D City is also evident- so Q did put in work.

But Q built up too much hype, fell off, and remained in his comfort zone to produce a 'just okay' album…maybe the Deluxe Edition will compensate. Watch the road to Oxymoron below.