Rating: 4.1
Photo Courtesy GOOD Music
I remember the first time I listened to Big Sean’s song “Control” that featured Kendrick Lamar and Jay Electronica. The year 2012 was a year that helped the Detroit native elevate his name into the debate for best rapper. We were all expecting big things from his 2013 effort “Hall of Fame.” “Control,” unfortunately, was a curse for Sean that year, as Kendrick Lamar stole his spotlight from right under him.
Before “Dark Sky Paradise,” Sean released four singles in the summer of 2014, including the ultimate male Taylor Swift anthem “IDFWU.” Let’s just say I got very excited for this album, as all four of those songs were bangers. Even his features on other songs (notably Eminem’s “Detroit Vs. Everybody”) had me dropping my jaw. His off beat flow is his bread and butter, which he sounds like he’s mastered.
Safe to say this album lived up to expectations and then some. Once you hear Sean’s dad say “It’s good to be home isn’t it?” in the intro of “Dark Sky (Skyscrapers)” you get the feeling he’s about to drop some of the craziest material of the past two years. The first tracks feature appearances from Drake and a sort-of rapping Kanye West. I have to say it though: The beat for “All Your Fault” is the craziest beat I’ve heard in a long time. The second it drops and you hear Kanye you’re just stuck. Best song I’ve heard so far this year (yes, even over Kendrick Lamar’s “The Blacker The Berry”). Two of his 2014 singles “IDFWU” and “Paradise” made the album, except Sean adds two more minutes to the end of “Paradise” and goes OFF (when he says “Oh damn!” in the extended version of “Paradise,” I literally screamed “Oh boy!”). The second part of the album takes a different and slower approach, with Sean either talking about questioning his faith and fame or his family slowly dying. It’s very personal and really hits you hard, especially since it’s relatable.
“Dark Sky Paradise” is Big Sean’s best work to date, including past mixtapes. His double style flow and lyricism is what we expected two years ago. Safe to say Sean got tired of the criticism and snapped. All of his features are put in the right spots without forcing anything. Chris Brown’s hook in “Play No Games” is perfect because it shows his vocal ability to carry a song, while John Legend in “One Man Can Change The World” adds more to the album to stand out from others. Ariana Grande’s feature in “Research” only guarantees another big-time radio single to promote the album too. It’s also very consistent and you’d rarely skip a track.
I’m being very nit-picky here (only because I want to show the pros and cons of everything to be fair), but Big Sean relies too heavy on his features to make “Dark Sky Paradise” a great album. Not showing J. Cole bias, but “2014 Forest Hills Drive” was all Cole. He produced it, recorded it, did the lyrics, etc. Drake’s “If You’re Reading This It’s Too Late” had maybe two rapping features at most and he was also able to capture the listener without much help dismissing production. When I hear “All Your Fault” I think of Kanye rapping again like he’s got the polo and backpack. Drake singing “Way up I feel blessed” off-key is the only thing I remember from “Blessings.” Lil Wayne’s verse on “Deep” is one of the realest verses he’s ever recorded.
One thing for sure is that “Dark Sky Paradise” has propelled Big Sean into the rapping elite. This album is consistent from start to finish and changes pace when it needs to. There’s no feeling of rushing or forced material. This is an album you can play years ahead. It’s not a throwaway like “Hall of Fame.” The sky’s the limit for Big Sean.
