Over the past year, Ab-Soul, Schoolboy Q and the other members of Black Hippy have taken a number of steps forward in this industry. They’ve appeared on “best-of” lists across the blogosphere, worked with big names like Tech N9ne, Dr. Dre, and J. Cole and improved immeasurably in their abilities. Now, they’re ready to take on the world. “Hell Yeah,” the first cut off Ab-Soul’s upcoming Longterm: Mentality, is the group’s opening salvo on anything and anyone that would stand in their path. The epic beat laced by Sounwave sets the stage, as Ab-Soul and Schoolboy Q drop defiant, passionate bombs. From the United States government, to those who suddenly want to hate, to notable rappers from across the spectrum, no one is safe from the fire that these men let loose.

At the same time, these large-scale ambitions are tethered to reality by the glimpses of something behind the bravado. In between the grandiose claims and vicious punchlines, Ab-Soul and Schoolboy Q demonstrate the dichotomy between the world-beating fire that leads them to call out major rappers across the world, and the worries that creep into all of our minds at one time or another. Thoughts of the Grim Reaper, of far-gone innocence contained in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle pajamas, of all their hard work flit past. Yet, as both men say, Heaven isn’t far away. And no one is going to stop them from getting there.

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Ab-Soul Feat. Schoolboy Q – “Hell Yeah” (Prod. by Sounwave)

Cred: 2DBz