This is nothing new. Schoolboy Q is a member of one of rap's most respected collectives in TDE. They have consistently produced some of raps best new artists and music since the earlier part of the decade. As for Schoolboy specifically, he’s never had more momentum coming into an album. The Blank Face LP was one of the best rap albums of 2016 and was his most well-received project ever. “THat Part” was an absolute anthem, and it arguably was done even better when Black Hippie remixed it. Q solidified his status as a force to be reckoned with in rap because he could not only deliver hit singles but also impressive albums. This album also had some complications before it came out. Schoolboy was very close friends with Mac Miller making Q delay his album after his untimely passing because it didn't feel right. It was then delayed another week out of respect for Nipsey Hussle's passing. Schoolboy remains such a respected figure in the rap community because of moves like this. With all this build up CrasH Talk has the potential to one of his best albums to date.

Schoolboy has been gone for about three years now leading people to have no idea what to expect from this project before it’s release. The lead single CrasH Talk was “Numb Numb Juice”. The only way to describe this song accurately is an absolute banger. Q sounds cut throat and says every word with such focus and passion that he could inspire any listener to get out of their seat and go hit a lick just cause. This was also a sneak peek into just how hard-hitting and diverse the production on this project would be.The guitar loops and bells in the background are a great added touch. “CHopstix” was the other single released before the album, and it ended up being one of the lower points on the album. The idea of a Travis Scott Schoolboy Q song was very exciting for any fan of hip hop, but the song itself fell short of expectations. Both artists verses lack much depth, and the production doesn't live up to the standard of a typical song involving Trav. This left fans with a few questions before this album released.

CrasH Talk opens fast with “Gang Gang”. Schoolboy is coming back with a vengeance. The bass is booming and the energy stays high throughout the track. This leads into “Tales” where Q is more focused on, as the song title says, telling his tale. He starts to queue the listener in on the direction he's going with this project. The lyrics are brutally honest and describe the gangster lifestyle that he comes from, and what he has seen and lost from it. Schoolboy has a lot on his mind, even going as far as to say he thinks his own daughter might be a hoe because of this life. Realness. These raw thoughts and emotions are what makes this album so different from his other bodies of work. Q has been more open about his struggles with depression. His music has always reflected the harsh reality of gang life, but he has never really reflected on how it has affected him personally. Beyond that, he is also delving deeper into just how he sees himself as a man.

These thoughts come through strong on the second half of the album. While “5200” rivals “Numb Numb Juice” as the projects best banger, “Black Folk” is a turning point. The lyrics “Who knew failure would make you better?” echo in the track. Schoolboy is acknowledging some of his shortcomings in life and how they have forced him to grow. The words wasted are beautifully sung in the background throughout the song.

The rest of CrasH Talk alternates between more introspective and aggressive.”Floating” has one of Qs hardest flows on the whole project, and 21 Savage delivers a very solid verse. “Dangerous” and “CrasH” are two of the most unique beats on CrasH Talk. Schoolboy is able to really get adventurous with his flows on these tracks and it works greatly in his favor. Kid Cudi sounds absolutely incredible on “Dangerous”, which also features Schoolboy looking at just how dangerous his lifestyle is; except not because of gang violence or guns, but because of how many drugs he's taking, and he's wondering of the people around him really have his best interest in mind.

This sound is in complete contrast with “CrasH” which is another one of the more honest songs on the second half of the album. The music behind the track sounds very triumphant. It seems as if this is a song that would be used to lean back and celebrate your accomplishments. Instead, Q decides to discuss how the pressure to always be doing more with your life could eventually lead someone to crash. He is spitting some real actual knowledge on this song that anyone could relate to. We all know that there is something to be worrying about at all times, but if we did that then we would drive ourselves crazy, and eventually crash.

What makes this project so good? Why is CrasH Talk one of the best albums of the year so far? Simply put, because it sounds like Schoolboy Q really tried. He could have come off the Blank Face LP unmotivated and content with his standing in the rap game. He would have stayed the same and delivered another really good gangster rap album that would have reached the same audience. Instead, he made a gangster rap album about the actual gangster. Q gets out of his comfort zone and really talk about himself, and ironically he sounds more comfortable than he has on some of his previous work on Crash Talk. He delivers the same quality rapping and production expected from a TDE artist, and knowing that was a guarantee going in, really allows for the listener to focus in on what is actually being said. There are moments where he could get a little more below the surface level in his lyrics, but that can be attributed to the fact that this is his first time really making a point to do this type of opening up. He should be praised by the rap community because we are living in a day and age where creativity is lacking. Everyone is trying to make the sound that is most popular, and once artists find something that works for them they are often time too scared to move past that. Schoolboy Q isn’t afraid. He embraces who he is, faults and all, and that is what makes CrasH Talk one of the best albums of this year.

Best Songs:

Tales

Black Folk

CrasH

Rating: 8

Listen to CrasH Talk here:

CrasH Talk, an album by ScHoolboy Q on Spotify

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