[junkie-dropcap]I[/junkie-dropcap]’ve always been quick to say Big Sean has been one of the most overhated artists of the last decade. By no means is his full discography solid, his first 2 albums in particular are noticeably flawed. But with each release, Sean has improved and matured. Yet it feels like his reputation hasn’t experienced the same growth. People are still quick to only see him as “corny”, which in all fairness he definitely can be. Even on his best day.
But my point is I’ve always seen him as someone who deserves his credit. Especially after “I Decided” back in 2017. An album that showed just how far Sean has progressed in his career. A career he basically put on hold following that album. (And an underwhelming but enjoyable joint project with Metro Boomin)
But it seems his hiatus is over. As he’s seen fit to release “Detroit 2”, a follow up to his valued first mixtape. I’ve been waiting for new music from Big Sean so the long track list for once didn’t phase me going into it. If anything, I anticipated it. So let’s dive in.
Run The Jewels – RTJ4, Album Review
Right away, the blend of confidence and maturity that made “I Decided” a career-defining album return to kick off “Detroit 2”. “Why Would I Stop?” and “Lucky Me” are both anthemic, dynamic songs that let me know Sean hasn’t lost his touch. Especially in terms of flow. I can definitely tell he’s been working on speedier rapping. While he doesn’t mirror his obvious influence in that department, Eminem, his delivery has definitely improved. The words don’t sound mumbled or forced together.
Following these 2 anthemic tracks is “Deep Reverence”. A heartfelt confessional track with a powerful appearance from the late Nipsey Hussle. This is the song that really shows that maturity factor I keep mentioning. Big Sean shows us he’s been through a lot in his time away and the effect it’s had on him. From bars about reconciling with Kendrick Lamar after Nipsey’s passing to revealing he suffered a miscarriage, the song is maybe Sean’s most personal ever. I have great admiration for it.
After those first 3 tracks, the album starts taking some different turns. Most of them good, thankfully. “Body Language” for example isn’t Big Sean’s first attempt at a sex jam, but I think it’s his best. That’s arguably more because of Jhene Aiko and Ty Dolla $ign than Sean himself. But he doesn’t appear out of place on the song. Sean and Jhene have always had chemistry, and Ty Dolla is an obvious fit on any song trying to “set the mood”. But the beat might actually be the sexiest thing about it. It’s got this 90s R&B feel that I’m a sucker for.
Pop Smoke – Shoot For The Stars, Aim For The Moon, Album Review
I haven’t mentioned the production on this album yet but it is a consistent potent factor. The album’s executive producer, Hit-Boy, has a hand in almost every beat on “Detroit 2”. I just praised how consistent Hit-Boy has been this year in my Nas review a few weeks ago and he added several notches to his streak with this album. As with Nas, Hit-Boy pushes Big Sean out of his comfort zone with beats like “Harder Than My Demons” or “Don Life”. Variety is a necessity for a 21 track album and “Detroit 2” has enough of it to stay entertaining for most of it’s run.
There are downsides to that though. Unfortunately, the negatives mainly come in the songs with features. There are some prominent features like the aforementioned Nipsey verse or Anderson .Paak and Wale on “Guard Your Heart”. The entire city of Detroit on “Friday Night Cypher”. Lil Wayne even manages to steal the spotlight from Big Sean on “Don Life”.
But the big trap/pop collabs are all really disappointing on this album. Big Sean has a solid verse on “Wolves” but most of the track is unnecessarily taken up by Post Malone. Travis Scott and Young Thug both punch way under their weight on “Lithuania” and “Respect It”, respectively. The TWENTY88 reunion track “Time In” is only notable for Keith Sweat’s appearance in the beginning. It’s surprising that these anticipated songs are what I would consider the “filler” on this album. But stacked up against the other tracks, the quality gap is staggering.
I normally chastise skits for bloating runtimes, but even the “Story” segments have more purpose in the album than the songs I just listed. Though maybe I’d feel differently if the speakers weren’t people I’m fond of. Dave Chappelle, Erykah Badu and Stevie Wonder are people I’m very fond of. So I suppose that’s just bias.
Dominic Fike – What Could Possibly Go Wrong, Album Review
Thankfully, the album fits more moments of Big Sean just speaking from the heart amidst everything else. Those moments are the strongest on the album. Be it the dark, moody air of “Everything That’s Missing” or the old school appeal of “Full Circle” when Big Sean is just spitting, he’s at his most captivating. He can provide perspective while still being clever to keep it entertaining. If he was just ranting, it wouldn’t be nearly as endearing.
The last leg of the album is strong except for the closer. When you look at “Still I Rise” following standout tracks like “FEED”, “The Baddest” or “Friday Night Cypher” (any of which would’ve made a better outro) it’s underwhelming. Even just Stevie Wonder talking would’ve closed the album out on a better note than “Still I Rise”. It’s straight up sad to hear the album getting so hot towards the end only to barely fizzle out.
But overall, I’m happy to hear from Big Sean again. “Detroit 2” isn’t as solid as “I Decided” in big part because it’s not as compact. But it has everything I want from a Big Sean project. The stuff I didn’t want just sadly straggled along.
Half-A-Mil – Also Known As, Album Review
Despite some filler, Big Sean’s best qualities shine through “Detroit 2” and I even see improvements. Even if only mild ones. Like cleaning up his faster flows or getting better at crafting “vibe” songs, if you will. I hope Big Sean comes away from this ready to craft a tighter body of work like “I Decided”. Bringing with him the best aspects of “Detroit 2”, of course. I’d hope it doesn’t take as long next time but whatever gets us the best music is what I’ll support.
