Big Sean, Detroit 2 | Album Review

Detroit rapper Big Sean delivers the best album of his career with his highly anticipated fifth studio album, Detroit 2.

I’ve been a proud Big Sean follower since Finally Famous.  What was the appeal of the Detroit rapper? His flow, his confidence, and possessing THAT attitude.  Despite being a fan, Sean hasn’t been perfect and arguably, he hadn’t yet dropped a truly ‘classic’ album. His sophomore album, Hall of Fame (2013) suffered from the sophomore effect; he’d rebound with Dark Sky Paradise (2015) and those “Blessings”.  In 2017, he became more mature with I Decided., yet, it still left me personally wanting him to take another step forward.  With Detroit 2, his fifth album that follows up his Detroit mixtape, Sean has finally delivered that album that marks the very best of his discography.  Furthermore, Detroit 2 is among the best rap albums of 2020.

“Why Would I Stop?”

Big Sean kicks off Detroit 2 with a BANG as in BANGER. ✓ “Why Would I Stop?” is brief at just two-and-a-half minutes in duration, but the rapper is definitely ‘on’ and chocked-full of confidence.  Backed by a dramatic backdrop courtesy of Rogét Chahayed and Hit-Boy, Sean Don is potent to the nth degree and quite believable as he asks, “And they want me to stop but why would I stop? / Huh? I am unstoppable.”  From there, he gets personal on ✓ “Lucky Me,” particularly referencing his heart disease at 19, which was ultimately cured by holistically. “Went back to the regular doctors and they said, ‘Huh, damn, look like we don’t need to proceed’ / That’s how I know that Western medicine weak,” he asserts on the first verse. The rhymes are a huge selling point. Introspective and thoughtful, the rapper expands on the progress exhibited on I Decided.

On ✓ “Deep Reverence”, Big Sean enlists an assist from the late, great Grammy-winning rapper, Nipsey Hussle. Although not everyone wanted him to release it an advance single, “Deep Reverence” ends up being quite special.  Nipsey takes first blood, kicking off his verse with a bang, followed by the sole chorus, derived from the opening lines of Nipsey’s verse. Sean continues to be a force early on on Detroit 2, notably delivering agile rhymes and continuing to be honest and incredibly transparent.  Throughout his honest verse, he reflects on life including a beef with Kendrick Lamar, a miscarriage with his ex-girlfriend (Jhené Aiko), anxiety, and depression.  Three for three commence his fifth studio album.

“Wolves” 

Nipsey Hussle is just one of many big names to appear on Detroit 2.  Among the biggest comes on ✓ “Wolves,” where Sean is joined by Post Malone.  The sleek backdrop is dark yet lush, notably featuring production from hot young producer, Take A Daytrip.  The chorus is incredibly catchy – no way you listen and don’t sing it afterwards.  Post is on-point on the second verse, shining in his signature, melodic vein. The hits keep on coming with ✓ “Body Language,” which brings in Ty Dolla $ign and Sean’s ex and frequent collaborator, Jhené Aiko.  The sexy vibes are a welcome change of pace, as is the old-school sound, constructed via a sample of “Soulful Moaning” by Shawn Harris.

“Story by Dave Chappelle” marks the first interlude of Detroit, in which Dave Chappelle imparts a tale about his experience with Detroit.  It’s quite entertaining, something that can’ always be said about many interludes, which contribute little to the overall success of the album.  From there, he keeps the momentum afloat on the short but sweet “Harder Than My Demons.” The tempo is quick, the energy is lofty, and the beat – sickening! This is Sean spitting with great agility, showcasing an ‘anointed’ flow – AMEN!

“Everything That’s Missing”  

“New life start with a blank canvas / Tryna find yourself, you moved to Lost Angeles / Where the camera’s off, you’re still not off camera / And that meeting that’s supposed to change your life keep getting canceled…” Need some more throwback vibes? Well ✓ “Everything That’s Missing” brings underrated neo soul OG Dwele along for ride.  Dwele joins Big Sean on the pre-chorus and chorus.  Notably, on these sections, Sean is melodically driven, opting for quicker, straight, un-pitched rhymes on the verses.  From there, we are lifted by arguably the banger to beat, ✓ “ZTFO.” Truly, as Travis Scott states on his additional vocals, “It’s LIT.” The production is badass, while the chorus is among the crème de la crème of Detroit 2.  Sean has a potent bite here for sure.

“Signal goin’ in and out, swimmin’ at the house
Live with no doubts, zen the fuck out
Big dawg plays, the pay off in route
Laid across the couch, I’m zen the fuck out...” 

One of the things that stands out is the diversity of the productions throughout Detroit.  Post “ZTFO,” Big Sean opts for soulfulness once more on ✓ “Guard Your Heart.” Here, we get nuanced vocals from Grammy-winner Anderson .Paak (verse one), a totally worthwhile refrain from Earlly Mac, and a very strong showing from Wale (verse three). Oh, and that Sean fellow, he’s not too shabby himself. On ✓ “Respect It” he trades out guests once more, bringing in the always idiosyncratic Young Thug and beatmaker extraordinaire, Hit-Boy.  Also, once more, we switch things up from soul to a harder, street-oriented sound. “ZTFO” is my favorite banger, but “Respect It” comes pretty close in its own right. Sean sounds tough as nails on the first verse and later goes H.A.M. on the third verse. Furthermore, he drops another terrific chorus.  As expected, Thugga is true to self, excelling on the second verse in only the way that he can.

“Lithuania”

Detroit 2 had to be expensive AF to record – the guests are endless. “Lithuania” brings Travis Scott in for a true feature – more than the ad-libs sprinkled throughout “ZTFO.” The sound and vibe are compelling, brought alive by Scott’s own unique style, and the combined production talents of Hit-Boy and Audio Anthem.  On this Baltic state referencing joint, Sean continues to take a victory lap. Consistent, consistent, consistent.

✓ “Full Circle” brings in Key Wane and Diddy. No, we don’t get a full verse from Diddy – he’s more of a hype man.  He’s effective in that role, as always, leaving the first verse to Key Wane and three more to the ‘man of the hour.’ Much like “Lithuania,” the sound of the record is awesome.  I’d argue the quality is even better. 

On “Time In,” Big Sean disappears – well – sort of.  The track is credited to TWENTY88, his collaboration with ex- Jhené Aiko.  The results are effective like everything else, though “Time In” certainly doesn’t eclipse the best of the best. The steamy cut is followed by another incredibly entertaining interlude, “Story by Erykah Badu.” Erykah Badu is sensational, dropping numerous spoken word gems.  It all starts with her intro: “Here I am, Miss Badu / Not Big Sean, but I don’t fuck with you. It’s ‘cause I’m from the D, the other D / But Detroit has a special place in my heart.” Keep doing you Erykah – keep doing you!  

“FEED” 

“FEED” keeps Detroit 2 going strong sixteen tracks in – you read that right.  While it doesn’t receive as high of marks as the best of the best, Sean remains highly effective. He’s got another sleek backdrop fueling him, and he himself is locked into reflection mode.  That’s a winning formula.  Even more winning is ✓ “The Baddest,” another candidate for best album banger.

Sean’s energy is off the charts on “The Baddest,” period. Furthermore, No I.D is beastly behind the boards.  Of course, it helps when the sample is the epic “Gojira Tai Mosura” (Akira Ifukube) with a killer hip-hop beat added.  How could Sean Don not be ‘The Baddest’ propelled by angst-laden, angular symphonic brass lines and dramatic strings? Moving on, “Human Nature” isn’t a song I ever envisioned being flipped in edgy, hard nosed fashion.  However, that’s exactly the case on “Don Life” featuring Lil Wayne.  The major key, Michael Jackson classic ends up anchored by trap drums, and punchy rhymes from both Sean and Weezy.  It’s definitely unexpected but quite intriguing.

“Friday Night Cypher” 

“Go big or go home” – that’s the motto, right? Well, “Friday Night Cypher” is a big record – period.  Nine-and-a-half minutes in length, “Friday Night Cypher” features a little bit of everything.  There are beat switches, compelling flows, and entertaining rhymes, courtesy of a gargantuan guest list: Tee Grizzley, Kash Doll, Cash Kidd, Payroll, 42 Dugg, Boldy James, Drego, Sada Baby, Royce da 5’9 and Eminem. Wow.  The idea of “Friday Night Cypher” is probably better than the record considering most of us are unlikely to keep a juggernaut like this on repeat. That said, the placement of this track ends up at the right spot on the album without question.

“Story by Stevie Wonder” arrives as the final reflective, spoken word interlude of Detroit 2.  Stevie Wonder’s words are simply beautiful, as he reflects on his Detroit roots and being blessed before his birth despite his disability. Fittingly, the music from the three spoken word interludes reappear on the dynamic closing cut, ✓ “Still I Rise,” with a more aggressive, brassy spin. The sound fuses HBCU band, jazz, and hip-hop seamlessly. Also, can’t leave out the gospel music cues, which include organ straight out of the church and background vocals by Kierra Sheard. Big Sean enlists DOM KENNEDY for the assist.  He’s a perfect fit for the short but again, potent hook: “Look at all the souls I saved / Look at all the O’s I made / Same outfit for a couple of days / Listen to Big Sean.” What a way to cap off an album!

Final Thoughts 

Ultimately, Detroit 2 was a pleasant surprise.  Despite being a Big Sean follower from the start, admittedly, I didn’t go into Detroit 2 expecting much, despite the strength of “Deep Reverence.” However, early on in the track list, Detroit 2 made me a believer, and all in all, it’s consistent from start to finish.  This is a long album – understatement – but it’s a high-quality, well-rounded long album that’s worth the time invested.  Clearly, the best album of his career – NO CAP!

✓ Gems: “Why Would I Stop?”, “Lucky Me,” “Deep Reverence,” “Wolves,” “Body Language,” “Everything That’s Missing,” “ZTFO,” “Respect It,” “The Baddest” & “Still I Rise”     

Big Sean • Detroit 2 • Getting Out Our Dreams, Inc. / Def Jam • Release: 9.4.20

Photo Credits: Getting Out Our Dreams, Inc. / Def Jam