Blue Lips

BLUE LIPS is the sixth studio album by Schoolboy Q, released on March 1, 2024, through Top Dawg Entertainment and distributed by Interscope Records.

Following the release of CrasH Talk, the rapper first promised a follow-up record to his fifth studio album during a concert in January 2020. However, he would not release original solo material until April 2022, with the single "Soccer Dad". The first specific updates about an upcoming project arrived on June 6, 2023, when the rapper revealed that his next album was "in the mixing process" at the time and a release would be "coming very very soon". In September 2023, he elaborated on his decision of not releasing albums as frequently as others by clarifying that he does not view "it as a sport" but instead wants to move off "peace" and his "experiences". He previously promised a return "this year" on August 29.

On February 1, 2024, Q set up a countdown finishing on March 1 on his website, alongside the display of the album title. He also released a trailer that plays an "atmospheric beat" and showcases the "dictionary definition" of the title Blue Lips. Also included in the 37-second video is a tracklist, consisting of 17 tracks, projected on a "film-studio wall". It was also revealed that Q would start previewing the album every Tuesday and Thursday leading up to the album.

On February 6, Q released music videos for the songs "Blueslides" and the Devin Malik-assisted "Back n Love", being classified as "album previews" that were not released on digital streaming platforms. Q would also post mini-vlogs on his social media platforms, as well as his YouTube channel, on February 8 and February 13, respectively. On February 15, the official lead single "Yeern 101" was released with an accompanying music video. Within the same day, an album cover of Q with the Parental Advisory sticker covering his mouth was used as a placeholder for the album's preorder, which Q confirmed on Twitter was not the official cover. The official cover was revealed the next day, with preorders for the album's merchandise also going up, including physical (vinyl and CD) copies of the album.

On February 20, Q continued sharing "album previews", releasing music videos for the songs "Cooties" and the Devin Malik and Lance Skiiiwalker-assisted "Love Birds". The former song was originally previewed during his "I'm so good at this" vlog the previous week.

Rolling Stone's Mosi Reeves wrote that the album "represents a moment when listeners can fully appreciate Q for his singular ability to craft compelling, thought-provoking gems" without comparing him to ex-labelmate Kendrick Lamar.