Speaking of Blank Face, the producers really went nuts on some of these tracks. As much praise as the production's gotten, I don't think it's actually getting enough. This feels like the gangsta rap version of To Pimp A Butterfly in the way the tracks layer, progress, and vary from song to song. Even Swizz Beatz brought what has to be his best beat in years on a song that's only 1:44 long. And listen to Ride Out in the headphones to hear all the stuff happening in that track. It's like the loud, brash new school take on old school West Coast bangers Dr. Dre was trying to do on Compton.
Not enough YACK YACK on the album, but Q still brought his A game too. I agree with the DEHH review that he's a strong songwriter and doesn't get the credit he deserves for the way he constructs his verses, hooks, and all the interstitial touches that make him shine as a personality on a track.
