I Decided
Big Sean
Recommended for:
Pop rap fans
Fans of basic, sample hip-hop format
Pros:
Some good features
Introduces a theme
Cons:
Mediocre writing
Limited usage of dynamics
By no means top tier rap
Big Sean has released his fourth studio album, I Decided. Some hits are already circulating through the radio in Big Sean style. Come see what the 28 year old has in store -
Big Sean’s I Decided… hmmmmm. The intro track starts with the voice of a clearly older man stating “god, I have been doing the same thing in the same place, working the same job for 45 years”. Fittingly, this album feels like the same old thing as well. But let’s take a look at the details.
First and foremost, the album tries to play on a collective theme. With the opening track expressing regret and remorse, you get the feeling that this album could really hit the feels. However, the album has an unhealthy dip. The first two tracks play off of this concept of questioning lifestyle and life in general. But then the artist loses you with the bulk of tracks off of the album falling into the dominance ego-fest that is distasteful pop hip-hop. This being said, at least the ends of the album tie into each other. The first two, and last few songs on the album fit the theme. But with rappers like Anderson .Paak and K Dot offering a more tasteful, sincere hip-hop outlook on raw emotion, I wouldn’t recommend just anyone giving this album too much thought or time.
Production time! This is a pop hip-hop album. And if I had to point to an album in this genre to demonstrate the industry standard practice of production, it would be this one. Nothing pops. There are not enough dynamics being utilized. But most frustratingly, it’s just too much hook, sample, and close. Song structure is one of the biggest opportunities to be creative, and that opportunity was wasted by these producers.
The problem with dynamics is not limited to the production. Much of the rap on this album fell into a similar whatever mood. When Big Sean brings it down, and really most the album is down, it comes off as lazy. The album’s best feature, Eminem on “No Favors”, goes from 0 to 60 in great speed, and with style. Though Eminem is often criticized for just yelling into a mic, this was a good display of his dynamic capabilities. But back to Big Sean’s rap. Lyrically?- ehhh. Nothing hits quite perfectly and for every clever line, there is a painfully cringy one. His flow isn’t much to speak of either. Triplets don’t get me excited anymore, let’s get creative. Lastly, I want to point out a criticism a close friend of mine had with rap that has proven itself time and time again. Too often, when rappers come down from hyped up music to to softer emotional songs, they always touch on God. God, god, god. We get it. What else matters… This album is a pop rap album, plain and simple.
Favorite track: “No Favors”
4/10
