The video prominently uses a fish-eye lens, a stylistic choice intended to emphasize the group's "childish and free-spirited" demeanor.
This analysis explores "Say Wassup," the iconic collaboration between , Ab-Soul , ScHoolboy Q , and Kendrick Lamar , collectively known as the supergroup Black Hippy . Released in July 2011 as a single from Jay Rock’s debut studio album, Follow Me Home , the track is regarded as a defining moment for the Top Dawg Entertainment (TDE) roster, showcasing the chemistry that spearheaded a West Coast rap renaissance. Production and Creative Origins
Interestingly, the track was originally composed as an R&B beat before being repurposed for Black Hippy’s high-energy lyrical trade-offs. The video prominently uses a fish-eye lens, a
Critics at The Fader noted that the song avoids heavy proselytizing, focusing instead on the raw, carefree intention that characterized 1990s West Coast underground rap.
The song is a collective effort, with writing credits shared among all four members: Kendrick Lamar Duckworth , Johnny McKinzie (Jay Rock), Quincy Hanley (ScHoolboy Q), and Herbert Stevens (Ab-Soul). The "Black Hippy" Synergy Production and Creative Origins Interestingly, the track was
Directed by Fredo Tovar and released on July 22, 2011, the music video is as significant as the song itself.
The track is celebrated for its "Voltron-like" assembly of distinct styles. Unlike standard guest features where artists record isolated verses, "Say Wassup" features the group trading bars with a playful, improvisational energy that mimics childhood friends "clowning around" on a corner. The "Black Hippy" Synergy Directed by Fredo Tovar
It holds a high user score (85/100) on platforms like Album of the Year , with listeners frequently citing it as a nostalgic hallmark of the 2011 "blog rap" era.