"Hell of a Night" (stylized as "Hell of a NigHt") is a song by American hip hop recording artist Schoolboy Q, taken from his major label debut studio album Oxymoron (2014). The track, which features production by two American record producers DJ Dahi, and JayFrance[1] was serviced to urban contemporary radio as the fourth and final official single from Oxymoron on October 21, 2014. It was met with generally positive reviews from music critics.
| "Hell of a Night" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single by Schoolboy Q | ||||
| from the album Oxymoron | ||||
| Released | October 21, 2014 | |||
| Recorded | 2013 | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 4:32 | |||
| Label | ||||
| Songwriter(s) | ||||
| Producer(s) | ||||
| Schoolboy Q singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
Background
editThe song first surfaced in unmastered form during the 2013 NBA Playoffs and was confirmed to be leaked by the NBA (according to Schoolboy Q himself). He stated that the song was unfinished and that it would be tagged with "Mixed By Ali" when it was ready.[2]
Critical reception
edit"Hell of a Night" was met with generally positive reviews from music critics. Jason Lipshutz of Billboard stated, "Hell of a Night" "features some of Schoolboy Q's slinkiest rhymes about fast-living and hypnotizing women. With an spooky harmony floating in the background and a drum machine snapping Q's syllables shut, "Hell Of A Night" is the album's non-single with the most potential to become a hit."[3] Maya Kalev writing for Fact said the song, "is a twisted banger, but the predicted drop never materialises, and the effect is weirdly disorienting as Q’s rapid-fire raps cut through oohing vocal samples."[4] Craig Jenkins of Pitchfork Media said the song, "showcases a trap-house hybrid from DJ Dahi and Q cuts loose, partying hard because he’s lived hard enough to deserve it"[5] Julia Leconte of Now praised JayFrance and DJ Dahi's production.[6] Nathan S of DJBooth said, "you’ll levy some criticism at "Hell of a Night", although there’s some real grit in the verses surrounding that club anthem hook and bridge."[7]
Brandon Soderberg of Spin said, the song was "a party track begging for a Zedd remix that flirts with EDM histrionics, but perversely denies us the true dance-floor climax it suggests."[8] Andrew Spragg of The Quietus stated that the song was forgettable.[9] Aziz of Sputnikmusic said the song "exudes gleaming catchiness – the ad-libbing on its final verse makes it one of the most enjoyable on the album – its hook is unbearably corny."[10] Joe Sweeney of Slant Magazine called the song a "languid dance-crossover" that drags the album down.[11] Omar Burgess of HipHopDX referred to the song as album filler.[12] Sam Kriss of TheLineOfBestFit said, ""Hell of a Night" is a perfectly acceptable trap banger, full of richly throbbing bass and slick hi-hat rolls, but it’s a sadly formulaic break from the more compelling stuff elsewhere" on the album.[13]
Music video
editThe official music video was released November 7, 2014 shortly after the track was sent to radio. The video features Schoolboy Q in a wild house party[14]
Legacy
edit"Hell of a Night" went on to be featured in season 1 of USA Network show, Mr. Robot.[15]
Charts
editWeekly charts
edit| Chart (2014) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[16] | 46 |
| US R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay (Billboard)[17] | 31 |
Certifications
edit| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| United States (RIAA)[18] | Gold | 500,000‡ |
|
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. | ||
Release history
edit| Region | Date | Format | Label |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States[19][20] | October 21, 2014 | Urban contemporary radio | |
| November 4, 2014 | Rhythmic contemporary radio |
References
edit- ^ "DJ Dahi Breaks Down Schoolboy Q's 'Hell of a Night' Record - R&R Productions". Archived from the original on 2014-10-20. Retrieved 2014-10-16.
- ^ Tyler Munro (2013-05-27). "ScHoolboy Q says the NBA "leaked" the wrong version of his new song". Aux.tv. Retrieved 2014-03-17.
- ^ "ScHoolboy Q, 'Oxymoron': Track-By-Track Review". Billboard. 2014-02-25. Retrieved 2014-03-17.
- ^ "Oxymoron – FACT Magazine: Music News, New Music". Factmag.com. 2014-03-13. Retrieved 2014-03-17.
- ^ "Schoolboy Q: Oxymoron | Album Reviews". Pitchfork. 2014-02-28. Retrieved 2014-03-17.
- ^ Julia LeConte (2014-03-06). "ScHoolboy Q - Oxymoron | NOW Magazine". Nowtoronto.com. Retrieved 2014-03-17.
- ^ ScHoolboy Q. "ScHoolboy Q - Oxymoron | Album Review, Stream". DJBooth.net. Retrieved 2014-03-17.
- ^ Soderberg, Brandon (26 February 2014). "ScHoolboy Q, 'Oxymoron' Review". Spin.com. Retrieved 2014-03-17.
- ^ "Reviews | ScHoolboy Q". The Quietus. 2014-03-07. Retrieved 2014-03-17.
- ^ "Review: ScHoolboy Q - Oxymoron". Sputnikmusic. 2014-02-25. Retrieved 2014-03-17.
- ^ "Schoolboy Q: Oxymoron | Music Review". Slant Magazine. 25 February 2014. Retrieved 2014-03-17.
- ^ Burgess, Omar (2014-02-25). "ScHoolboy Q - Oxymoron | Read Hip Hop Reviews, Rap Reviews & Hip Hop Album Reviews". HipHop DX. Archived from the original on 2014-03-01. Retrieved 2014-03-17.
- ^ Kriss, Sam (2014-02-25). "Album Review: ScHoolboy Q - Oxymoron". The Line Of Best Fit. Retrieved 2014-03-17.
- ^ Archived at Ghostarchive and the Wayback Machine: SchoolBoy Q - Hell Of A Night (Explicit). YouTube.
- ^ "Mr Robot - Hell of a Night scene". Horizon. 2017-01-22. Retrieved 2023-05-01.
- ^ "Schoolboy Q Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard.
- ^ "Schoolboy Q Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay)". Billboard.
- ^ "American single certifications – Schoolboy Q – Hell of A Night". Recording Industry Association of America.
- ^ "Urban/UAC Future Releases". All Access Music Group. Archived from the original on October 7, 2014. Retrieved October 20, 2014.
- ^ "Rhythm". Interscope Records. Archived from the original on October 12, 2014. Retrieved October 20, 2014.