ScHoolboy Q Celebrates His No. 1 Album Debut In NYC

Photography By: Lucas Farrar (@MrFarFetched)

ScHoolboy Q was in a good mood. On Feb. 25, Q dropped his major label debut Oxymoron and supplemented the release with a world tour that kicked off in March. Three stops into his 67-plus dates with Isaiah Rashad and Vince Staples, he just heard the news that Oxymoron was the No. 1 selling album in the country with over 138,000 copies sold. For someone like Q—who has been constantly delivering solid indie releases and grinding for his moment—the turning point of his career begins at this packed out show. Letting his fans know he was grateful for their support, ScHoolboy was ready to return the favor.

At 9:30 P.M., Q might have set the record for earliest time for a hip-hop show. He certainly made the most of it. With plenty of time on the clock, Q ran through a plethora of hits from Setbacks, Habits & Contradictions, and Oxymoron. The first track set the tone with “Fuck LA,” his dark and menacing album outro where he wears his gangbanging past on his sleeve. The energy levels continued to increase as Q went through well-known cuts like “Hands On The Wheel” and “How We Feeling.” The bangers knocked every time Q’s tour DJ transitioned from one to the next: “Druggys Wit Hoes Again,” “Bet I Got Some Weed,” and “Figg Get Da Money” immediately made fans shout the lyrics back.

Strangely enough, Q did not have any special guests. At various points during the show, he hinted at someone was coming to join him. Was it Kendrick? Ferg? Rocky? He left little for the imagination. However, the LOX’s Styles P was an unexpected surprise that managed to shut it down with “We Gonna Make It.” Afterwards, more teasers of Kendrick making an appearance came when Q performed “M.A.A.d City” and rapped all of his lyrics. The audience didn’t seem to mind, though, as they played hypemen to Q’s gruff version.

The final quarter of the show was the craziest. "Collard Greens," “Studio,” “Blessed” and “Yay Yay” held down the crowd, while “Break The Bank” rang off. To wrap up the early closing time (10:30 P.M.), Q performed his radio-friendly single “Man Of The Year.” Twice. He was so amped that he crowd surfed on the second run—an uncharacteristic move from a stoic rapper. But that’s how TDE’s newest star operates. He just rolls with it.

Previously:

Rick Ross Celebrates ‘Mastermind’ Release With Star-Filled NYC Performance
ScHoolboy Q Battles For Rap Supremacy On ‘Oxymoron’