L.A. rapper ScHoolboy Q has gone through a transformation. Finding Grammy-nominated success as the resident party animal of Top Dawg Entertainment's tight roster, Q is now over 30, a devoted father of two who lives in a gated community, and who fits in tee time at the Calabasas Country Club between studios visits and family outings. A far cry from the early days as Kendrick Lamar's hype man, Q still reigns as one of rap's most celebrated acts, with a legion of devoted fans waiting at his beck and call whenever an album drops.
Touring in promotion of his latest release, CrasH Talk, Q took to the main stage after his MC hyped up the crowd for the first eight minutes of his set, questionably, with Drake's bars from Travis Scott's "Sicko Mode," Sheck Wes's "Mo Bamba", and A$AP Ferg's "Plain Jane."
Beginning with the hit "THat Part," off of 2016's Blank Face LP, wearing an orange toque and TDE hoodie, Q's microphone was barely audible, the bass smothering his vocals. Yet, despite the technical awkwardness, Q raised his hands in the air at the end of the track, letting the massive afternoon audience cheer at him, all while chanting "Q" to their rap prophet.
Jumping across the stage through "Dope Dealer" with a seasoned sense of charisma, the volume of his mic was raised, thankfully, for crowd-favourites "Collard Greens," "Studio," "Hell of a Night" and "Man of the Year," off of 2014's Oxymoron.
Ending with "Numb Numb Juice" accompanied by a swirling mosh pit in front of centre stage, Q ended his hit-heavy set with a proper bow, leaving the stage for his diehard fans to revel in their shared experience.
Touring in promotion of his latest release, CrasH Talk, Q took to the main stage after his MC hyped up the crowd for the first eight minutes of his set, questionably, with Drake's bars from Travis Scott's "Sicko Mode," Sheck Wes's "Mo Bamba", and A$AP Ferg's "Plain Jane."
Beginning with the hit "THat Part," off of 2016's Blank Face LP, wearing an orange toque and TDE hoodie, Q's microphone was barely audible, the bass smothering his vocals. Yet, despite the technical awkwardness, Q raised his hands in the air at the end of the track, letting the massive afternoon audience cheer at him, all while chanting "Q" to their rap prophet.
Jumping across the stage through "Dope Dealer" with a seasoned sense of charisma, the volume of his mic was raised, thankfully, for crowd-favourites "Collard Greens," "Studio," "Hell of a Night" and "Man of the Year," off of 2014's Oxymoron.
Ending with "Numb Numb Juice" accompanied by a swirling mosh pit in front of centre stage, Q ended his hit-heavy set with a proper bow, leaving the stage for his diehard fans to revel in their shared experience.