Pop Shit - Reason & Schoolboy Q
Intro:
TDE’s latest signee, Reason, teams up with fellow artist Schoolboy Q for this new single “Pop Shit”. I’m assuming that this will be a single for Reason’s upcoming album; which keeps getting pushed back due to the current pandemic. Nonetheless, I was pretty excited for this one when it got teased last week. This is also Schoolboy’s first release since announcing plans of dropping this year as well. After multiple listens, here are my thoughts.
Summary:
First, the instrumental here is extremely menacing and grimy. It reminds of a more modern take on the type of beats Griselda usually rap over. I like how punchy the kick drum hits and how the bass on this track is literally all sub. Both rappers mainly stick to the flow set by the chorus, but switch it up throughout their verses. Speaking of the chorus, I like how they pitched his vocals really deep to match the song’s dark aesthetic. Both of their abrasive and aggressive deliveries add on to the track aesthetic as well.
Topically, both rapper mainly touch on past experiences of trapping and street life; with a braggadocios perspective. Lyrically, they also body each of their individual verses. I loved all the basketball references from Reason, especially the lines: “Get shit off my chest, I took too many steps, Rockets/James Harden, my fame gone and my game Marvin”. I do prefer Schoolboy’s verse though as I just think the way he held onto his rhyme schemes was dope.
Side note, I completely forgot where I saw the comparison online, but Schoolboy Q and Nicki Minaj have a very similar rap style lol. Specifically, the way both of them use very similarly animated and exaggerated deliveries sometimes. I’d love to do a full comparison one day as now I genuinely can’t unhear it.
Overall:
I really enjoyed this new single. I’m excited for whoever’s project this ends up on whether it be Schoolboy’s or Reason’s. If this track is an indication of the direction either of them are going, I cannot wait for the next TDE release. Thank you for reading and be sure to listen to the single for yourself (if you haven’t yet) below.
