ScHoolboy Q Drops Thought-Provoking, Sixth Studio Album ‘BLUE LIPS’

ScHoolboy Q’s latest project has been five years in the making, with his previous album CrasH Talk coming out all the way back in 2019. He first teased BLUE LIPS at the start of the year and it already feels like the most exciting hip-hop release of 2024.

The 18-track album is probably his most ambitious project to-date as the South Central L.A. rapper shows a side of himself that we’ve never seen before. He isn’t afraid to take risks as evident on the punk-infused collab with Rico Nasty, “Pop.” Other tracks, like “Blueslides” and “Love Birds” showcase his penchant for jazz-centric instrumentation and psychedelia-tinged palettes.

As a lyricist, ScHoolboy Q’s themes span from the deeply personal to the broader societal issues. He speaks out against mass school shootings as a concerned parent in “Cooties,” while asserting his autonomy in the rap game on tracks like “Nunu.” Adding to the intensity, he incorporates a nod to the Saw soundtrack in “THank god 4 me,” enhancing the drama as he fearlessly tackles subjects like betrayal, animosity, and inauthenticity.

Other notable features throughout the project include Devin Malik, Lance Skiiiwalker, Az Chike, Freddie Gibbs, Ab-Soul, Jozzy, and Childish Major. All in all, ScHoolboy Q’s BLUE LIPS is an unadulterated, uncompromising body of work and an early candidate for hip-hop album of the year.