"Oxymoron" received generally positive reviews from critics, who praised its haunting production and Schoolboy Q's aggressive lyrics. The album was also a commercial success, debuting at number one on the US "Billboard" 200, selling 139,000 copies in its first week of release. It additionally peaked highly on the main album charts in Canada, New Zealand, Ireland, and the United Kingdom. The album received a nomination at the 2015 Grammy Awards for Best Rap Album.