Blank Face LP

Lore & Background

Schoolboy Q began work on Blank Face LP in July 2014, months after the release of his major-label debut Oxymoron. After touring for a year and a half, he considered retiring from rap music to spend more time with his family, particularly his daughter Joy. He set up a home studio in the summer of 2015 and resumed recording, completing the album in April 2016. Early sessions produced what he described as 'depressed rap,' none of which made the final album.

The album's production was primarily handled by TDE's in-house team Digi+Phonics, alongside collaborators including Swizz Beatz, Metro Boomin, Southside, Nez & Rio, DJ Dahi, The Alchemist, and Tyler, the Creator. Guest appearances include Kanye West, Jadakiss, E-40, Tha Dogg Pound, Miguel, and Anderson .Paak. The instrumental for 'By Any Means' was an unused Kendrick Lamar beat; Schoolboy Q found it on Lamar's computer. Lamar also contributed background vocals to several tracks.

The album was supported by three singles: 'Groovy Tony,' 'That Part,' and 'Overtime.' 'That Part' reached number 40 on the Billboard Hot 100 and was certified double-platinum. A trilogy of short films directed by Jack Begert and Dave Free accompanied the album, centered on tense interactions with police before and after a pawn shop robbery. Schoolboy Q toured North America, Oceania, and Europe with Joey Badass from August to December 2016.

Reader's Guide

Blank Face LP represents a pivotal moment in Schoolboy Q's career, following the commercial success of Oxymoron while showcasing a darker, more introspective sound. The album's title was originally Ghost Face, after Ghostface Killah, but Schoolboy Q changed it to Blank Face, finding the original 'too corny.' The album received a Grammy nomination for Best Rap Album at the 59th Annual Grammy Awards, and 'That Part' was nominated for Best Rap Performance. In 2022, Rolling Stone ranked Blank Face LP at number 164 on its list of 'The 200 Greatest Hip Hop Albums of All Time.' The album's production, blending contributions from both established and emerging producers, and its cohesive narrative about street life and personal struggle, have cemented its reputation as a standout release in 2010s hip hop. Its debut at number two on the Billboard 200 and gold certification reflect its commercial impact, while the critical acclaim and Grammy recognition underscore its artistic significance.