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| Cover Art for "I Decided." |
Big Sean. Big Sean is a rapper from Detroit, Michigan. He is most known through his associations with Kanye West and being signed to West's label G.O.O.D. Music. Kanye West is said to have almost not signed Big Sean. According to Sean himself, Kanye was at a radio station and Sean left his job at a check cashing place and rushed to the radio station that Kanye was at. Initially, Kanye did not want Sean to rap for him, saying he had to go. Eventually, Kanye let Big Sean rap for him as he was exiting the radio station, by the time Kanye had got halfway to the exit, he started to like Sean's raps and turned around to start nodding his head along to Big Sean's raps. The rest is history, Kanye liked the freestyle he had heard from Big Sean and signed the Detroit native. From then, Sean has undergone an evolution of sorts. When I first heard Big Sean I thought he was very creative, but I just attributed that to the music video to "Getcha Some". When I heard "Marvin Gaye & Chardonnay" and saw the music video for it, I was like "ok, Sean's just another turn up, let's have fun rapper" which, for the record, there's nothing wrong with being, it's just that there was nothing interesting about him that stuck out in my mind...
Big Sean has always been in the background to me. Releasing albums here and there, maintaining a following, I'd hear about him here and there dating "x" famous girl and it'd be left at that. The only time I've genuinely seeked out a Big Sean song wasn't for Big Sean himself, it was for one Kendrick Lamar on the song "Control" (which still goes hard till this day by the way). Other than that, I've never cared for Big Sean.
So now we have "I Decided." and with the amount of press that Big Sean has been doing, he has been heralding this as his best work to date. He claims to have a concept going throughout the album and in short, Sean is really pushing this album to be something special, a future classic if you will that'll make everybody finally put Big Sean up there with the likes of the Drakes, J. Coles and Kendricks. The question now is...has "I Decided." finally catapulted Sean into the upper echelons of rappers that will be remembered for years to come for this generation...let's find out...
1. Intro
Big Sean starts off the album with a monologue to himself about himself as (plot twist!) an old man! According to Sean, this album is all about living in the present moment, living for now and not having any regrets. The introduction is basically Big Sean as an old man, saying how he wish he would've did this and that instead of just getting a regular 9 to 5 job like the average joe. The skit ends with Old Sean (Get it? Cause he's an old man?) getting hit by a car, the skit ends and it transitions into the next track...
2. Light (feat. Jeremih)
There are certain samples in hip hop that when sampled, makes it damn near impossible for your song to sound bad.
Example: Kool & The Gang - Summer Madness
Now, for those who don't know, "Summer Madness" is a classic, 1970s record that has an undeniable melody that is amazing. You sample that song (and specifically the melody within that "Summer Madness" song) and you have a song that can't lose.
Now, have a listen to this generic pop song that takes and incorporates the "Summer Madness" melody within the beat and realize how just a simple sample can elevate a song from just okay and forgettable to pretty nice and memorable.
Example: Mila J - Kickin' Back
The reason I bring up sampling and how using certain samples can make a song better than it actually is, is because that is exactly what Big Sean does in "Light". The sample and Jeremih, take what would've been an okay song and elevate it just past memorable, which is a good thing, but not that good of a thing (Sounds like I'm hating, but no shots, it's just facts). Big Sean is spitting rhymes and has a couple stand out lines like the "profound" wordplay. But Sean is literally the least interesting thing about the song, both the beat and Jeremih cut past Big Sean and steal the limelight from him.
It's a good song, makes for a nice introduction, but doesn't do anything that memorable beside sample an already familiar melody that does most of the work for Big Sean. The song should've just been Jeremih's. Cause Jeremih and the sample make the song, Sean is just there to put his name on it.
3. Bounce Back
I like the hook to the song, mostly because it's very relate-able to me. Who can't relate to taking an L but bouncing back the next day? I certainly can.
Other than that, this sounds like generic song #4532 cause Big Sean, while he isn't a terrible lyricist, isn't exactly a great one either. He sounds like a person who was programmed to rap. Like if you asked Google to find you a nondescript rapper who sounds like Drake on "If You're Reading This, It's Too Late" than this is what Google would pull up. Beat is nothing special, there's a sort of white noise within it, that I think is supposed to make this song hypnotizing but it just makes the song and Big Sean sound somehow more boring than it already is. Like the beat is waiting for some hot lines and instead of crickets it's a weird white noise.
There's really nothing noteworthy about the song, another song lost in the sea of mediocre hip hop songs, it's a shame. I liked the hook, but it couldn't save the song...next.
4. No Favors (feat. Eminem)
"Oh boy! An Eminem feature, I can't wait to hear what Eminem has to say" - Me, in 2001
Big Sean and Eminem team up to tell everyone to basically piss off and that they don't owe anybody anything because they came up by themselves so therefore it's "no favors" for anyone.
Big Sean, at one point, sounds like he's about to fall asleep during his verse specifically when he goes "I'm African-American in America; I ain't inherit shit/ But a millionaire under 30, so He must be hearin' shit" which is messed up because content wise those are powerful lines but he delivers it so lackadaisically that those lines don't hit as hard as they should have. Once again, Sean delivers a lackluster verse...and how does Eminem do?
WARNING: Long Rant on Eminem's verse and Eminem ahead
WARNING: Long Rant on Eminem's verse and Eminem ahead
Eminem's technical ability is there, but the problem with Eminem is that he simply has nothing to talk about. Eminem doesn't really have a life outside of the booth and being a well known, established rapper that's largely respected by everyone in the hip hop world, Eminem has nothing to prove, and no real reason to talk about anything of real meaning or substance. Now, you can argue that Eminem has always been the one to say shocking things about celebrities and the like. But back then, there was a certain way in which he talked about celebrities, I got the sense that Eminem was taking shots simply because he wanted to, back then, Eminem had other things to talk about besides Britney Spears being garbage, on "No Favors" I get the sense that he's talking about other celebrities like "Jaime Lee Curtis" (Really showing your age there, Marshall) because he has to. He can rhyme but has nothing to talk about, cause if he's not taking shots at Trump or beating down "Ann Coulter with a Klan Poster" what else can he talk about? His personal life is already all out in the open. He's already rich and famous, when you've spent so much of your life speaking on your own struggle, and when you eventually get to the point where your biggest struggle is just observing all the madness in the world, it gets to the point where you should ask yourself "What am I talking about?" Cause I don't think Eminem has asked himself that yet.
Eminem's verse is full of rhymes and wordplay that while on a technical level is impressive, meaning wise it's lacking in anything really memorable. Also, the flow he uses on this song is also very awkward sounding over the beat. Especially when he goes "fuck you lookin' at, hater?" like he sounds unapologetically caucasian during that part. Like when white people discover slang that came from black people for the first time, just extremely clumsy sounding. Not to mention, Eminem is in his mid 40's. Picturing a grown 40+ year old man writing down "I sodomize (saw-dem-eyes) like an ass raper" than going inside a booth to record and then listening back to his recording of him saying that line...makes me cringe mentally. It's not a good thing. I'd figure Eminem would be past that it in this stage of his life, but like I said Eminem's verse on "No Favors" is what happens when an artist doesn't really have a life outside the booth and rhyming.
Not that good of a song (it's not totally unlistenable, but you won't catch me bumping this by myself or around any people), it's more like an inadequate way of shoehorning a big rap feature into your album. Eminem wasn't needed for this track, it sounded like Big Sean just wanted an Eminem feature just to be like "Hey kids who don't really like hip hop but like Eminem, check out MY album!" I will be skipping this song each and every time I revisit this album (which *spoiler alert* I won't)
5. Jump Out the Window
The buildup in this song is such a tease, the way it starts off with a little thumping bass and Big Sean saying "Whoa, Whoa" lead me to believe a huge bass line was going to drop and Sean was about to go in on some "Paradise (Extended)" type song. But no, instead, Big Sean gets into discount Drake mode once again. This time, in the form of Thank Me Later/Take Care "Show Me a Good Time" Drake. It's crazy. I have never heard a man just unabashedly become a poor man's version of another rapper so blatantly before. It's usually on accident. But if you listen to "Jump Out the Window" and don't hear at least a little bit of Drake you're delusional. The problem with Big Sean is he's not doing anything particularly well, it's all just pretty decent or passable. Nothing really notable or unforgettable. Such a same, this is generic love ballad #6756 in the style of Canada's favorite rap artist. Not completely, 100% terrible, but very far from excellent, chuck it into the ether of forgettable rap songs.
6. Moves
Okay, this is more like it. A nice, booming beat that has Sean flowing nicely with a catchy hook to boot. This is what I'm talking about, Sean. It's not a completely original style of rap to run with, but Big Sean does this faster, rhyming flow justice. It's really a shame that this song is so short (at only 2 minutes and 22 seconds, according to Apple Music). When I first saw the music video to this song I thought to myself that this is probably a preview to the full song or maybe Big Sean added a feature on the album version (sort of like how A$AP Rocky had the single "M'$" and then on the album version of "M'$" he had Lil Wayne featured on the song [Wayne had a great guest verse on the album version by the way, check it out.]) but no, it's like having the trailer within the movie.
For an album that's supposed to have a concept, Sean has been ignoring it for sometime now. He had a little voice outro at the end of "No Favors" but it's very easy to ignore that outro. The concept is not center stage like on Kendrick Lamar's "To Pimp a Butterfly" where Kendrick stops all musicality, to read a poem, acapella style. This concept on "I Decided." however, is very loose and very easy to forget.
But yeah, "Moves" is a definite highlight on "I Decided." a nice, bass-y song to nod your head along to, nothing mind blowing but Sean is extra catchy on "Moves" and it makes for an enjoyable listen.
7. Same Time, Pt. 1 (feat. TWENTY88)
Speaking of trailers, Big Sean literally puts a snippet of a song from his collaborative project Twenty88 (a duo he formed with now girlfriend, talk singer Jhené Aiko) and while it does sound nice, it's actually just an extended iTunes preview. Can you imagine buying an entire album where one track is a preview to another song that's on another album that they (the artist(s)) want you to pay for? That's nonsense. What? You couldn't be bothered to make just one more song for your solo album with your girlfriend, Sean? Couldn't just use a throw away track you had with Jhené? Couldn't use one of your own throw away tracks and just have Jhené talk sing on the hook? Why not just have her sing the hook to "Jump Out the Window"? It would have alleviated the need to have this glorified iTunes preview on your album but I digress, nice song, but I hate how it's actually just a sneak peek to one song, cause when you hear this song, you know that this isn't the whole song, cause the song ends on a premature note. However, what little you do hear, does sound good, there's an undeniable musical chemistry between Sean and Aiko that can't be ignored. Good sounding snippet, Sean.
8. Owe Me
Sean gets on his Drake swag once again, this time in the form of content. In "Owe Me" Big Sean reminisces over a past flame who is back inside his life. The whole song topic just screams discount Drake. Like, seriously, during the song, just imagine Drake saying all the lyrics that Sean is saying, and you can almost hear it in reality. I think Sean sounds decent on here though, the hook is nice, but not nice enough to the point of singing along to it. The melody is very basic, I feel like I could've came up with the hook. The production is decent and oh look, the old man voice is back! Big Sean ends the song with a pretty funny outro. The ending where the paparazzi starts asking him random questions was very amusing. I enjoyed it, and that was the most memorable part of the song, the ending skit. Everything else was exceedingly average and forgettable. Poor Sean, can't get a Drake type song to stick to save his life. Oh well, on to the next one!
9. Halfway Off the Balcony
Okay, this is more like it ,Sean! Big Sean hits a certain rhythm in this song that makes this song extremely easy to sing along to (especially the hook to this song) or at the very least, this song will get stuck in your head, due to its very infectious melody. I don't understand why Sean doesn't try to do more songs like this, instead of trying to be discount Drake all the time. He can just as easily make catchy songs with a sound that is more uniquely his, instead of trying to be an old version of a certain Canadian pop star. On top of this having an extremely infectious melody, Sean's message about growth and learning doesn't come off as corny or half heart'd either, you really feel what Sean is saying in the hook when he goes "I realized when it comes to girls/ That chemistry means way more than anatomy" like damn Sean, you were relatable without coming off as corny or as boring as a J. Cole! Although that change like "5 20's" line and that "5:20/4:20" line were pushing it, Sean manages to delivery those lines in a way that takes some of the corniness factor away from those lines (it's all about delivery folks!)
So yeah, a definite highlight track on "I Decided". Good track right here.
10. Voices in My Head / Stick to the Plan
I like the first song "Voices in My Head", Sean takes a more laid back approach on the beat, and he really does sound defeated like damn "My inner monologue was right, I could've did better" but then Sean switches up for a more-annoying-than-it-is-helpful-or-motivational chant that (thankfully) doesn't last too long. Sean slides more into the forgettable/generic trap category with "Stick to the Plan". In an attempt to keep things interesting, the beat, at one point speeds up but it doesn't do much to help, there really was no reason to speed up the beat, Sean doesn't really acknowledge it or anything either, like it was a mistake that just made it to the final version of the album. The song is barely keeping its head above the average category and that's ONLY because of the first half "Voices in My Head". To end the song, Sean kicks off this random faster flow that doesn't amount to anything. It's almost as if Big Sean is telling the listener "Hey! Caught you off guard didn't I? Yeah, I can rap fast, just thought you should know" because the flow he's kicking, at first it seems cool cause it's sudden and unexpected, but the song ends before he can really make "Stick to the Plan" stick. Another cool song, that's only above average and not much else. Meh.
11. Sunday Morning Jetpack (feat. The-Dream)
I like this song too! Sean takes a trip down memory lane over a soulful sounding beat that provides the perfect backdrop for him. Big Sean is at his best here. When he's not trying to prove to the world that he's the best rapper ever, or is actively trying to compete with the likes of a Drake, Kendrick, Cole etc. Sean seems to do his best when he's reminiscing like in "One Man Can Change the World" and being grateful for all his successes as well as thanking God. I think Big Sean should try out the gospel inspired route that Chance took on "Coloring Book". Cause along with The-Dream's feature this song does sound like it can be featured on a gospel rap compilation album. Nice, uplifting production that both gives thanks and praises God in the style of hip hop. Think about it, Sean. I think you can do the "Coloring Book" route just as good if not, better than Chance, but overall, nice track, I like it.
12. Inspire Me
God damn, it's like Drake died and the spirit of Drake possesses this man at random intervals of his life. The hook to this song is ripped straight out of the Drake playbook. Remember how I previously said to just imagine Drake saying the words to that song? Do that again for this song, especially the hook. This song is once again, "okay". Meaning it's not bad enough to personally offend my senses, but it doesn't excite me either. In fact, near the end of the track the song's production slows down almost as if the song is bored of itself. This song is the culmination of mediocrity in the form of forgotten, discount Drake hooks and unmemorable lyrics. Snooze fest, next!
13. Sacrifices (feat. Migos)
Sean attempts to ramp up the intensity in this track. I like the production, nice, up tempo and bass-y. I'm starting to think that I just don't really like Big Sean's voice. When he hit the faster Migos type flow on this track. His voice started pissing me off, like he was a little kid trying his best to sound "hard". Also, "My girl is a mix of Aaliyah and Sade"? Really Sean? I understand that's your girl and you love her and all but if we're being honest, and I mean honest. Jhené isn't fucking with Sade on her best day. Aaliyah, I believe, is overrated, so I can give you that. But Sade? Slow ya roll, Sean. It's a nice compliment, but I think everyone knows you're just saying that to be nice. Also, Takeoff isn't on this song so therefore you cannot say that this song is "featuring Migos". That's like me saying I have Run The Jewels performing at my party and when everybody is ready to see Run The Jewels, only El-P comes out to perform, the first question on everybody's mind will be, "Where the hell is Killer Mike?". The song title should've said "Sacrifices (feat. Offset & Quavo)" I mean, Bankroll Mafia had both Quavo and Offset featured on a song and guess what? They labeled it "featuring Quavo & Offset" (why not put "featuring Migos"?) cause in order for you to put "featuring Migos". All 3 members have to be present on the track in some way. Takeoff is no where to be found here, and this track could've used his powerful delivery so the track could be a little more noteworthy. This track is good. It's definitely in the upper echelon of tracks on "I Decided.", but I won't be revisiting this song anytime soon. It's like Migos passed a throw away track from "Culture" to Sean, and Big Sean just slapped his verse on the beginning of the song. Cool song, but not a favorite of mine or anything remotely close to that. Not a terrible song either though.
14. Bigger Than Me (feat. The Flint Chozen Choir & Starrah)
I enjoyed this outro, good one Sean. Good choice on adding the The Flint Chozen Choir on to the song cause it really makes the hook impactful enough to the point where this song is in fact very notable. Definitely not a forgettable song. Starrah shows up and spits for like 3 seconds before disappearing and getting replaced by Sean's vocals. Those 3 seconds were nice though, wish she would've spit more though. Oh! Remember that supposed concept that's suppose to be in this album, well it's back again. Sean, throughout the mediocre Drake type songs, and the occasional corny line here and there. What he learns is, just live for the moment. Which (I hate to make this additional Drake comparison but Big Sean started it when he decided to do "If You're Reading This It's Too Late" type songs) is kind of what Drake meant back in 2011 with the whole YOLO (You only live once) thing. Granted, he didn't have a whole loose concept album about that whole live for now philosophy. But I think a played-to-death-on-the-radio single would reach just as many people, cause it was always on the radio at the time (and "The Motto" is still played on the radio to this day). Anyway, Big Sean took 14 tracks to basically say #YOLO. And, I'm okay with that.
Overall, Big Sean delivers a "meh it's alright" album. I want to quote a few lines I read on a pitchfork review that really encapsulates how I feel about this album and Big Sean in general.
~ From Pitchfork's review on Big Sean's I Decided.
You know what's crazy though? I actually went back and listened to "Dark Sky Paradise" and I was actually impressed. I see why people were hype for this album. "Dark Sky Paradise" actually showed a very memorable, charismatic and overall impressive Sean, I almost wish I was reviewing that album instead of this one, cause this felt like a downgrade or a step back from "Dark Sky Paradise". It's like Sean had a flash of genius and then lost it again on "I Decided." which is a shame because if Big Sean managed to really improve upon the shortcomings of "Dark Sky Paradise" with "I Decided" than I think he would be well on his way to getting those comparison with the J. Cole's, The Kendrick's and the Drake's but with "I Decided." Big Sean proves why he's never frequently mentioned among the "greats" of this generation of rappers.
The Good:
~ Sean occasionally drops a clever line here and there
~ The beats, for the most part, are solid
~ You can listen to "I Decided." all the way through and no one song will offend you enough sonically to the point where you would just want to cut it off entirely
The Bad:
~ Sean occasionally drops a corny line here and there
~ A good deal of the songs on here are easily forgettable
~ The concept in this album is extremely loose and has a very unfulfilling conclusion
Closing Words:
Big Sean is an okay rapper, he dropped an okay project. I don't see why some claim that Sean is underrated, I think he's perfectly rated as the guy who does everything just good enough, but never does anything good enough to the point where he stands out in any significant way. It's like if you had a build-a-rapper machine and you hit the randomize button. You'd most likely get Big Sean 9 times out of 10.
Favorite Track(s):
Moves, Same Time, Pt. 1, Halfway Off the Balcony, Voices in My Head, Sunday Morning Jetpack, Bigger Than Me
Least Favorite Track:
No Favors
Score: 5.5/10
Listen to Big Sean's "I Decided." here.
Apologies as this review was a little late due to IRL stuff but not to worry! DROGAS Light review coming soon! I'mma really try to get that review up as soon as possible. Don't worry I've listened to DROGAS Light plenty of times. It's just that I haven't been putting the pen to the paper for this review yet...or should I say fingers to the keyboard...yeah that makes more sense. Anyway I want to try to get DROGAS Light done in time to listen to Future's upcoming album with a clean slate.
Aight, peace.
-Joe
Okay, this is more like it ,Sean! Big Sean hits a certain rhythm in this song that makes this song extremely easy to sing along to (especially the hook to this song) or at the very least, this song will get stuck in your head, due to its very infectious melody. I don't understand why Sean doesn't try to do more songs like this, instead of trying to be discount Drake all the time. He can just as easily make catchy songs with a sound that is more uniquely his, instead of trying to be an old version of a certain Canadian pop star. On top of this having an extremely infectious melody, Sean's message about growth and learning doesn't come off as corny or half heart'd either, you really feel what Sean is saying in the hook when he goes "I realized when it comes to girls/ That chemistry means way more than anatomy" like damn Sean, you were relatable without coming off as corny or as boring as a J. Cole! Although that change like "5 20's" line and that "5:20/4:20" line were pushing it, Sean manages to delivery those lines in a way that takes some of the corniness factor away from those lines (it's all about delivery folks!)
So yeah, a definite highlight track on "I Decided". Good track right here.
10. Voices in My Head / Stick to the Plan
I like the first song "Voices in My Head", Sean takes a more laid back approach on the beat, and he really does sound defeated like damn "My inner monologue was right, I could've did better" but then Sean switches up for a more-annoying-than-it-is-helpful-or-motivational chant that (thankfully) doesn't last too long. Sean slides more into the forgettable/generic trap category with "Stick to the Plan". In an attempt to keep things interesting, the beat, at one point speeds up but it doesn't do much to help, there really was no reason to speed up the beat, Sean doesn't really acknowledge it or anything either, like it was a mistake that just made it to the final version of the album. The song is barely keeping its head above the average category and that's ONLY because of the first half "Voices in My Head". To end the song, Sean kicks off this random faster flow that doesn't amount to anything. It's almost as if Big Sean is telling the listener "Hey! Caught you off guard didn't I? Yeah, I can rap fast, just thought you should know" because the flow he's kicking, at first it seems cool cause it's sudden and unexpected, but the song ends before he can really make "Stick to the Plan" stick. Another cool song, that's only above average and not much else. Meh.
11. Sunday Morning Jetpack (feat. The-Dream)
I like this song too! Sean takes a trip down memory lane over a soulful sounding beat that provides the perfect backdrop for him. Big Sean is at his best here. When he's not trying to prove to the world that he's the best rapper ever, or is actively trying to compete with the likes of a Drake, Kendrick, Cole etc. Sean seems to do his best when he's reminiscing like in "One Man Can Change the World" and being grateful for all his successes as well as thanking God. I think Big Sean should try out the gospel inspired route that Chance took on "Coloring Book". Cause along with The-Dream's feature this song does sound like it can be featured on a gospel rap compilation album. Nice, uplifting production that both gives thanks and praises God in the style of hip hop. Think about it, Sean. I think you can do the "Coloring Book" route just as good if not, better than Chance, but overall, nice track, I like it.
12. Inspire Me
God damn, it's like Drake died and the spirit of Drake possesses this man at random intervals of his life. The hook to this song is ripped straight out of the Drake playbook. Remember how I previously said to just imagine Drake saying the words to that song? Do that again for this song, especially the hook. This song is once again, "okay". Meaning it's not bad enough to personally offend my senses, but it doesn't excite me either. In fact, near the end of the track the song's production slows down almost as if the song is bored of itself. This song is the culmination of mediocrity in the form of forgotten, discount Drake hooks and unmemorable lyrics. Snooze fest, next!
13. Sacrifices (feat. Migos)
Sean attempts to ramp up the intensity in this track. I like the production, nice, up tempo and bass-y. I'm starting to think that I just don't really like Big Sean's voice. When he hit the faster Migos type flow on this track. His voice started pissing me off, like he was a little kid trying his best to sound "hard". Also, "My girl is a mix of Aaliyah and Sade"? Really Sean? I understand that's your girl and you love her and all but if we're being honest, and I mean honest. Jhené isn't fucking with Sade on her best day. Aaliyah, I believe, is overrated, so I can give you that. But Sade? Slow ya roll, Sean. It's a nice compliment, but I think everyone knows you're just saying that to be nice. Also, Takeoff isn't on this song so therefore you cannot say that this song is "featuring Migos". That's like me saying I have Run The Jewels performing at my party and when everybody is ready to see Run The Jewels, only El-P comes out to perform, the first question on everybody's mind will be, "Where the hell is Killer Mike?". The song title should've said "Sacrifices (feat. Offset & Quavo)" I mean, Bankroll Mafia had both Quavo and Offset featured on a song and guess what? They labeled it "featuring Quavo & Offset" (why not put "featuring Migos"?) cause in order for you to put "featuring Migos". All 3 members have to be present on the track in some way. Takeoff is no where to be found here, and this track could've used his powerful delivery so the track could be a little more noteworthy. This track is good. It's definitely in the upper echelon of tracks on "I Decided.", but I won't be revisiting this song anytime soon. It's like Migos passed a throw away track from "Culture" to Sean, and Big Sean just slapped his verse on the beginning of the song. Cool song, but not a favorite of mine or anything remotely close to that. Not a terrible song either though.
14. Bigger Than Me (feat. The Flint Chozen Choir & Starrah)
I enjoyed this outro, good one Sean. Good choice on adding the The Flint Chozen Choir on to the song cause it really makes the hook impactful enough to the point where this song is in fact very notable. Definitely not a forgettable song. Starrah shows up and spits for like 3 seconds before disappearing and getting replaced by Sean's vocals. Those 3 seconds were nice though, wish she would've spit more though. Oh! Remember that supposed concept that's suppose to be in this album, well it's back again. Sean, throughout the mediocre Drake type songs, and the occasional corny line here and there. What he learns is, just live for the moment. Which (I hate to make this additional Drake comparison but Big Sean started it when he decided to do "If You're Reading This It's Too Late" type songs) is kind of what Drake meant back in 2011 with the whole YOLO (You only live once) thing. Granted, he didn't have a whole loose concept album about that whole live for now philosophy. But I think a played-to-death-on-the-radio single would reach just as many people, cause it was always on the radio at the time (and "The Motto" is still played on the radio to this day). Anyway, Big Sean took 14 tracks to basically say #YOLO. And, I'm okay with that.
Overall, Big Sean delivers a "meh it's alright" album. I want to quote a few lines I read on a pitchfork review that really encapsulates how I feel about this album and Big Sean in general.
~ From Pitchfork's review on Big Sean's I Decided.
"But while he become incrementally more skilled over the years, not much else has changed. Throughout I Decided., Sean conflates the passing of time with growth and progress. Nothing on I Decided., however, suggests that he has gained perspective worth sharing or to which he should devote a whole album. He continues to be a talented pop act attempting to be something he is not."This small paragraph perfectly captures my feelings toward Big Sean and this album in general. It's cool, but it won't stand the test of time even a year from now. It's more of a good-in-the-moment type of album and that's perfectly fine. There's nothing wrong with that, sure, it won't make for excellent, genre changing music. But not everyone can be that brash revolutionary like Kanye West or that skilled mainstream wordsmith that can deliver both a powerful message and powerful music like a Kendrick Lamar. The truth is, most rappers will fall into the "he was alright" category. And Sean, personifies that to the fullest. You'll have a few die hard fans scattered here and there that'll try to keep his name alive but for the most part, Sean mildly delivers on "I Decided." and while that isn't necessarily a bad thing, it's not a good thing either, it's a forgettable, run-of-the-mill thing.
You know what's crazy though? I actually went back and listened to "Dark Sky Paradise" and I was actually impressed. I see why people were hype for this album. "Dark Sky Paradise" actually showed a very memorable, charismatic and overall impressive Sean, I almost wish I was reviewing that album instead of this one, cause this felt like a downgrade or a step back from "Dark Sky Paradise". It's like Sean had a flash of genius and then lost it again on "I Decided." which is a shame because if Big Sean managed to really improve upon the shortcomings of "Dark Sky Paradise" with "I Decided" than I think he would be well on his way to getting those comparison with the J. Cole's, The Kendrick's and the Drake's but with "I Decided." Big Sean proves why he's never frequently mentioned among the "greats" of this generation of rappers.
The Good:
~ Sean occasionally drops a clever line here and there
~ The beats, for the most part, are solid
~ You can listen to "I Decided." all the way through and no one song will offend you enough sonically to the point where you would just want to cut it off entirely
The Bad:
~ Sean occasionally drops a corny line here and there
~ A good deal of the songs on here are easily forgettable
~ The concept in this album is extremely loose and has a very unfulfilling conclusion
Closing Words:
Big Sean is an okay rapper, he dropped an okay project. I don't see why some claim that Sean is underrated, I think he's perfectly rated as the guy who does everything just good enough, but never does anything good enough to the point where he stands out in any significant way. It's like if you had a build-a-rapper machine and you hit the randomize button. You'd most likely get Big Sean 9 times out of 10.
Favorite Track(s):
Moves, Same Time, Pt. 1, Halfway Off the Balcony, Voices in My Head, Sunday Morning Jetpack, Bigger Than Me
Least Favorite Track:
No Favors
Score: 5.5/10
Listen to Big Sean's "I Decided." here.
Apologies as this review was a little late due to IRL stuff but not to worry! DROGAS Light review coming soon! I'mma really try to get that review up as soon as possible. Don't worry I've listened to DROGAS Light plenty of times. It's just that I haven't been putting the pen to the paper for this review yet...or should I say fingers to the keyboard...yeah that makes more sense. Anyway I want to try to get DROGAS Light done in time to listen to Future's upcoming album with a clean slate.
Aight, peace.
-Joe
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