The song was released as the second official single from his major-label debut album Oxymoron, on November 23, 2013, by Top Dawg Entertainment (TDE) and Interscope Records.

On May 13, 2013, the music video for Top Dawg label-mate Kendrick Lamar's single "Bitch, Don't Kill My Vibe", was released.

[14] Craig Jenkins of Pitchfork Media said the song, "follows suit in affixing the happy ending to Oxymoron’s war stories while serving up the album’s most memorable hooks.

"[21] On January 24, 2014, Schoolboy Q made his network television debut, performing "Man of the Year" on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon.

[24] On January 17, 2014, the music video for "Man of the Year", which was directed by Dave Free, Fredo Tovar and Scott Fleishman, was released.