Blank Face LP
by ScHoolboy Q
User Score
8.4

Universal acclaim- based on 246 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 218 out of 246
  2. Mixed: 20 out of 246
  3. Negative: 8 out of 246
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  1. Erehsiomen
    Jul 11, 2016
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Blank face LP has an underline concept. Money and what people would do for money. On his second major label LP, schoolboy q recounts tales of poverty, desperation and gangbanging to survive. He maneuvers through gritty yet colorful production with ease and bars as hard as brick. They compel the listener to understand his POV at their own risk. The album has character development during its 70 something hours. ScHoolboy Q autobiographically raps about changing his life after a jail bid. Finding another way to support himself without going down the same road. This acts as a cautionary tale and a tale of redemption. Out of the TDE camp, this will go down as one of the more creatively ambitious projects and one that deserves acclaim and recognition… Expand
  2. Brian8781
    Jul 11, 2016
    10
    Great album from Q yet again, It's a massive improvement over Oxymoron. Lyrically he's better than ever and the production on this album is fantastic.
  3. ThatAlien
    Jul 11, 2016
    10
    No disappointments to be found here . ScHoolboy Q keeps to his style and executes it perfectly . The production is great . I have nothing negative to say about this .
  4. Beck7512
    Jul 11, 2016
    8
    This album certainly lived up to its hype, and ScHoolboy Q gives us yet another great project. From a lyrical perspective, he may not be as good as Kendrick Lamar but his raw energy, flow and ability to tell deep stories make up for it. Also great production and some killer guest appearances. I can't wait till Q releases some more projects in the future.
  5. fillitup
    Jul 11, 2016
    9
    Very solid album. Has a couple weak spots but overall is very strong lyrically and production-wise. There are many solid features as well, my favorites being Jadakiss and Vince Staples.
  6. Tom11
    Jul 13, 2016
    9
    A gritty trip through the bleak world of drug dealing, crime and gang violence. Schoolboy Q delivers an emotional yet quirky experience on his newest LP.
  7. bsherman
    Jul 11, 2016
    9
    After ScHoolboy Q contemplated retiring from the rap game, he returned to the road he was building on Habits & Contradictions. Lyrically Q is better than ever, and while hooks throughout the album still leave something to be desired, he has developed a good amount from hooks like on "Hands on the Wheel." The production throughout the album is cohesive for the most part aside fromAfter ScHoolboy Q contemplated retiring from the rap game, he returned to the road he was building on Habits & Contradictions. Lyrically Q is better than ever, and while hooks throughout the album still leave something to be desired, he has developed a good amount from hooks like on "Hands on the Wheel." The production throughout the album is cohesive for the most part aside from "Overtime," and is reminiscent of To Pimp A Butterfly, except... more gangster. He left behind the radio hits for the most part that plagued Oxymoron and went back to telling street stories, which is much better Q in my opinion. Features provide even more darkness to the album and aside from Kanye West (arguably) and Miguel, they fit the album very well. SZA provides an outstanding hook on "Neva CHange" and Vince Staples is crippin' to the fullest on "Ride Out," which has one of the hardest beats I've ever heard. My actual rating for this album is an 8.5, and I believe that this is ironically tied with YG's Still Brazy for album of the year. Take a listen, the album is fun, dark, deep, and a great listen.… Expand
  8. geedup
    Jul 12, 2016
    8
    At first listen, this is VERY west coast and very Q. A bit predictable and even rehashed from previous albums. But, with a 2nd listening, you can hear Q's growth from the same he is known for and moving in other directions including almost spoken word towards the end of the album and some politcal rantings as well. Of course, fans can expect the same topics of weed, women and whimsicalAt first listen, this is VERY west coast and very Q. A bit predictable and even rehashed from previous albums. But, with a 2nd listening, you can hear Q's growth from the same he is known for and moving in other directions including almost spoken word towards the end of the album and some politcal rantings as well. Of course, fans can expect the same topics of weed, women and whimsical violence - all common in hip hop these days. TDE did it right by giving him his own platform and release time to debut this disc. Although not a classic, much closer than his previous releases.… Expand
  9. thebassline
    Aug 19, 2016
    6
    For about 5-minutes of every year, ScHoolboy Q is everybody's favourite rapper. Listening to his singles (e.g. "Collard Greens") or his features (e.g. "Let it Bang"), he sounds a remarkably captivating rapper, tumbling between words with a bluster unmatched by your regular trap goon. His flow is urgent whilst lyrical, ensuring some meaning is attached to his threats while ensuring you'llFor about 5-minutes of every year, ScHoolboy Q is everybody's favourite rapper. Listening to his singles (e.g. "Collard Greens") or his features (e.g. "Let it Bang"), he sounds a remarkably captivating rapper, tumbling between words with a bluster unmatched by your regular trap goon. His flow is urgent whilst lyrical, ensuring some meaning is attached to his threats while ensuring you'll be 'leaving with a hole in [your] skull.' Outside of those 5-minutes, though, Q tends to a remarkably boring and frustrated spitter, preferring to cop a lackadaisical delivery over the menace that can put him well ahead of Kendrick and the Black Hippy crew. Q himself has complained about his waning critical and commercial fortunes, often insisting in vain that he is, '... better than [Kendrick]... It's a layup.' It's hard not to agree when he's at optimal performance; that's so rare though that it's laughable to think he might be serious. So Blank Face operates on the premise that those brief moments of excellence Q nonchalantly veers into can be sustained across a 75-minute long player.

    Without going into specifics, Blank Face is by far the most consistently captivating ScHoolboy Q has ever been. Part of that can be attributed to Q's latent direction towards album-oriented sounds and themes, aiming to relay a generally amped-up paranoia brought on by street-level shellshock. Credit where it's due, Q's snarling and onomatopoeic phrasing of 'knocks' and 'bangs' become the norm, often opting for a savageness he infrequently indulges. When matched by equally brutish beats- sounds that err closer to the Southern horrorcore of 808 Mafia than, say, radio-friendly trap or critically appeasing backpacker rap- Q's better than he's ever been. It all balances out to solidify Blank Face as something singular in expression. Most of that is to say nothing of when it all devolves into limply worded posturing, of which Blank Face is guilty of at least half of the time. Ordinarily, Q's deficiencies are most clearly at fault; here, it's a smattering of poorly chosen guests that hinder Q's worked over vision. As opposed to Vince Staples or Anderson .Paak, who bolster Blank Face's obsession with narcotics and braggadocio, misplaced spots from E-40 and Kanye West serve the record poorly outside of marketing purposes. It's hard to see that being an issue though had Blank Face not sprawled unnecessarily beyond an hour's length. It's a reminder that ScHoolboy Q hasn't really got a hang of quality control quite yet. But then again, he's always been prone to this sort of nonsense; Blank Face is still resolutely ScHoolboy Q in its misplaced bravado. In terms of pure thrills, though, it's difficult to argue against this being his best album yet.    … Expand
  10. Connorcox1997
    Feb 16, 2019
    10
    ScHoolboy Q has done it again. He once again made another classic album called Blank Face LP. I love the themes in the album, I love all the songs, the production on the album is dope, and the beats are on fire. If you love Oxymoron, then you're gonna love Blank Face LP by ScHoolboy Q. I highly recommend it.
  11. JesusMartinez
    Feb 12, 2020
    8
    Really solid album, sonically great, production is top notch. Album has a few skips but overall the songs resonate. Lyrically he’s at his peak with this one. Could make the argument that it’s his best tape too. Plus John Muir, THat Part, etc are bangers. Put some respect on Q name!!
  12. ojohn123
    Jul 11, 2016
    5
    I'm sure not many people are going to find this review helpful, but I have no drive to ever revisit this album. This is no dynamic contrast in the album that holds my interest. Part of what makes this genre so fantastic is its huge scale of dynamic and emotional ability, and Blank Face LP took little-to-no advantage of that. It wasn't bad by any means, but it was just incrediblyI'm sure not many people are going to find this review helpful, but I have no drive to ever revisit this album. This is no dynamic contrast in the album that holds my interest. Part of what makes this genre so fantastic is its huge scale of dynamic and emotional ability, and Blank Face LP took little-to-no advantage of that. It wasn't bad by any means, but it was just incredibly unremarkable. There doesn't seem to be a point to any of it, to the production, to the lyricism, nothing.… Expand
  13. Mesmerize
    Oct 28, 2016
    8
    8.5 / 10
    zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
  14. KripBop
    Aug 7, 2017
    10
    q wasnt trying to cop out the hits he did with oxy he did more so provide albeit with a true classic the tales and story expand on his life fame the gangs how his relations are wht he copped on the true definitive of his career moment the guest are fired from mr west talnets to the background of kdot miguel you got the best of his ****
  15. Uncle_Oinker
    Sep 26, 2016
    6
    Blank Face is a disappointing LP from one of the better Mc's of the past 5 years. Q brings nothing new to the table. It's got a few great tracks, but doesn't warrant more than 2 or 3 listens. By the 4th listen you're tired of the weak features and grating "dark" production.
  16. Cypher_ATL
    Sep 19, 2016
    8
    Just like how "Oxymoron" has stuck with me after listening to it, "Blank Face" does the same exact thing. Now, what I will say is that Blank Face is a much different sounding album, but it will still be memorable for years to come. Q comes through with amazing flows, hardcore lyrics, and clean beats from a plethora of producers on this project. It is a lot longer than "Oxymoron", and IJust like how "Oxymoron" has stuck with me after listening to it, "Blank Face" does the same exact thing. Now, what I will say is that Blank Face is a much different sounding album, but it will still be memorable for years to come. Q comes through with amazing flows, hardcore lyrics, and clean beats from a plethora of producers on this project. It is a lot longer than "Oxymoron", and I believe that it takes somewhat of a hit when it comes to not cutting the fat from this project, but it is still very enjoyable. There are some tracks that he could've left off and it would've been a lot better-sounding album from a cohesive standpoint, but I digress. The tracklist could've also been tinkered with a tad, but if Q thought it was best that way then we will just have to live with it. There are many amazing moments musically on this project, and I think the risks that he takes works out for him on a creativity standpoint. The Vince Staples feature was amazing on top of that Sounwave beat, and I'm really glad he brought him on for a feature. There aren't as many radio-friendly tracks on the album, but I think it's better for ScHoolboy when it comes to him becoming a more mature artist. I loved this album front to back, even with the few bumps during the journey, and I believe that Q and regular Hip-Hop fans will love this project. Some may not like this album as much as "Oxymoron", but it beats his latest release just barely. Very proud with what Quincy gave us, and I can see him evolving into an even better artist down the road.… Expand
  17. ChoBroooo
    Jul 12, 2016
    10
    Before I begin, I would like to say this is the very first album that I bought when it was new, as I only started to listen to music often about 1 or 2 months ago. Anyway, a complete masterpiece, with tons of stand out songs, where it is so easy to listen to the album when doing anything. For example, as I am writing this review, I am listening to the album! Just buy it.
  18. Urbanlistener
    Sep 21, 2016
    10
    My favorite album this year so far, Schoolboy gives us his greatest LP to date which is saying a lot since Oxymoron was exceptional. This album is filled with great bangers from start to finish like Tookie knows II, John Muir, Lord have mercy and many more.
  19. thebookofeli123
    Jul 15, 2016
    10
    Was truly surprised by this album. I was caught off guard with the grimy production and gripping lyrics. No disappointing songs. Delivery is on point also. Loved this album.
  20. SergioV
    Jul 13, 2016
    8
    84/100. This album seriously is chock full of amazing music. ScHoolboy Q does not disappoint. Best songs are "THat Part", "Ride Out", "WHateva U Want", "By Any Means", "JoHn Muir", "Neva CHange" and "Overtime".
  21. stoneyalex
    Jul 18, 2016
    9
    For the people complaining oxymoron was disappointing or Q isn't a lyricist shut up and listen to this album a lot of habits roots and no singles except for that part Q has done it again never disappoints
  22. MovieLover123
    Jul 17, 2016
    9
    Schoolboy Q music has definitely been improving since his Setback mixtape days. The album's is full of a variety of musical genres, but still remains a solid Hip/Hop album. If you think this album isn't cohesive, Kno Ya Wrong ooh
  23. kiralypayne
    Jul 13, 2016
    10
    Incredible album. Q has proved with this cohesive body of work that he should be in every conversation when you mention the best current rappers in the game right now. Not really sure what there isn't to like about this album. The production is flawless, the lyricism is uncanny and the energy is there as it always is with Q. What's so great about this is the fact that you can reallyIncredible album. Q has proved with this cohesive body of work that he should be in every conversation when you mention the best current rappers in the game right now. Not really sure what there isn't to like about this album. The production is flawless, the lyricism is uncanny and the energy is there as it always is with Q. What's so great about this is the fact that you can really see how much Q has progressed lyrically since he has entered the game. Amazing album!… Expand
  24. C_dot
    Feb 14, 2019
    9
    ScHoolboy Q remains ontop of the modern gangster rap field. Making banger after banger on tHis album, wHile still being able to turn introspective without missing a beat. Q's flow and rapping ability are top tier as always, and are on full display.
  25. Awsomeman889
    Dec 7, 2019
    10
    Blank Face LP is an amazing project from ScHoolboy Q that he continues to uses gangster themes from his last album and created something new and entertaining.

Awards & Rankings

46
#46 Most Discussed Album of 2016
79
#79 Most Shared Album of 2016

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
81

Universal acclaim - based on 18 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 16 out of 18
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 18
  3. Negative: 0 out of 18
  1. Austin Chronicle
    Sep 30, 2016
    78
    Blank Face stalls near its end with pedestrian raps and an awkward R&B crossover bid, but when Q locks into the streetwise grooves of "Dope Dealer" and the lush psychedelia of "That Part," he hints at the masterpiece he came tantalizingly close to making.
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  2. RapReviews.com
    Aug 16, 2016
    75
    Influenced by many but perhaps literally fathered by none, ScHoolboy Q remains an intriguing enigma whose ambitions presently know less limits than Percy Miller.
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  3. No Ripcord
    Aug 10, 2016
    80
    Blank Face is occasionally too indulgent for his own good, as he also follows trap and net-soul trends in awkward fashion, but the amount of genuine, larger-than-life parables continue to expose an artist who still wrestles with his hard-knock past.
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