A rising rapper from Los Angeles, Schoolboy Q released his debut mixtape, Schoolboy Turned Hustla in 2008. Prior to getting into music, he got into some trouble as a member of a street gang. It wasn’t after he’d clashed into the law several times, that he got serious about music in his early twenties. In 2009, he signed with Top Dawn Entertainment, an independent record label based in Carson.
Born on October 26, 1986 in Hesse, Germany, Schoolboy Q (Real Name: Quincy Matthew Hanley) was raised almost entirely by his mother. After a few years in Texas, the two relocated to California, where they settled down. Growing up in Los Angeles, he went to John Muir Middle School. An avid athlete, he also engaged himself in sports- particularly American football, which he played for most of his youth.
Growing up in a less than ideal neighbourhood around Hoover Street however, Schoolboy Q got involved with a street gang in his early teens. Before he knew it, he was dealing drugs such as Oxycontin, as well as marijuana and crack. Then in 2001, he was arrested on charges related to a home invasion and sent to prison for six months. As far as music goes, he wrote his first rhyme when he was sixteen. However it wasn’t until he was twenty one that he first decided to take it seriously.
How did Schoolboy Q Become Famous
On July 29, 2008, he dropped his debut mixtape titled, Schoolboy Turned Hustla. Released through G.E.D. Inc, the same label that helped to launch the career of Tga, a fellow West Coast rapper, the project was made available as a digital download. Shortly afterwards, he landed a record deal with Top Dawg Entertainment and formed a hip hop supergroup called Big Hippy with Kendrick Lamar, Ab-Soul, and Jay Rock.
Following another mixtape release in 2009, Schoolboy Q came out with his debut album titled, Setbacks on January 11, 2011. Recorded at Carson’s House of Pain, it included guest appearances from fellow labelmates Jay Rock, Kendrick Lamar and Ab-Soul. Produced by the likes of Willie B, Tae Beast, Rahki, and Sounwave, it boasted fifteen tracks including Birds & The Bees, Rolling Stone, What’s The Word, Figg Get Da Money, and Druggy Wit Hoes.
Lauded for its lyrics and production, the studio album debuted at number 100 on the US Billboard Top 200 shortly after its release. Not only that, but it also peaked at number 25 on the Top R&B/Hip Hop Albums chart, number 12 on the Top Rap albums chart and number 13 on the Top Independent Albums chart. Within a few weeks, Setback had been downloaded well over 4,000 times online. As of 2017, over 17,000 copies have been sold in the United States.
Schoolboy Q’s Other Music Releases
The rapper’s second album, Habits & Contradictions was released on January 14, 2012. Made available exclusively via iTunes, the project was first introduced via Twitter in September 2011. Preceded by the single, Druggys wit Hoes Again, it contained eighteen tracks among which included How We Feeling, Blessed, 2 Raw, Gangsta in Designer (No Concept), and There He Go. As far as guest appearances go, it also featured ASAP Rocky, Currency, Dom Kennedy, Jay Rock, and a few others.
A solid release, it debuted at number 11 on the US Billboard 200 with approximately 3,000 downloads in the first week Praised by numerous publications including The Boston Phoenix and XXL Magazine, it eventually also reached number 16 on the Top Rap Albums chart, number 17 on the Top Independent Albums chart and number 25 on the US Top R&B Albums chart. As of 2017, over 48,000 copies of the album have been sold.
Then on February 25, 2014, he hit it big with his most successful album to date, Oxymoron. His major label debut (under Interscope Records), it showcased twelve brand new tracks including Hell of a Night, Break the Bank, What They Want, Hoover Street, Gangsta, and The Purge, many of which were collaborations with artists such as Raekwon, Tyler, BJ the Chicago Kid, and The Creator,.
Hailed as one of the best albums of 2014 by Complex Magazine, Oxymoron later received a Grammy Award nomination for Best Rap Album in 2015. Not only that, but it was also nominated for a BET Hip Hop Award for Album of the Year. As far as chart performance goes, it entered at the top of the Billboard Top 200 with 139,000 sales in the first week; as well, it topped the US Hip Hop Albums Chart. A global hit, it also charted around the world in countries such as Germany, New Zealand, Belgium, Australia, and Norway.
Two years after the release of his platinum hit, Schoolboy Q delivered his fourth album titled, Blank Face LP. Dropped on July 8, 2016, it proved to be yet another widespread success. Promoted by the Groovy Tony Pit Stops concert tour, the project spawned two singles, That Part, and Groovy Tony. A mix of gangsta rap and hip hop, some highlights from its 17-song trackless include Neva Change, Tookie Knows II, Blank Face, Whatever U Want, and By Any Means.
His second Grammy Award-nominated album, it entered the Billboard Top 200 at number two with 52,000 direct sales in the first week; it later also managed to top the Top R&B/Hip Hop Albums chart in the United States. Met with high praises, it has since sold over 138,000 copies in the US, making it his second best-selling album to date.
Schoolboy Q Snapchat Name – hoovaq
Like most artists nowadays, you can find Schoolboy Q on Snapchat. If you want to add the rapper to your friend list, you can do so by clicking here.
Schoolboy Q’s Other Social Media Accounts
Schoolboy Q’s Facebook Account
If you want to follow the 30-year-old star on Facebook, you can do so by liking his official page at @SchoolboyQ.
Schoolboy Q’s Twitter Account
Looking for an easy way to stay up to date with the rap star? Why not follow him on Twitter at @ScHoolboyQ- he already has well over 2 million fans on the site!
Schoolboy Q’s Instagram Account
Interested in seeing some pictures from the rapper’s everyday life? You can view said images over at his Instagram account at @groovyq.
