Big Sean’s recent “I Decided” album shows the rapper’s style can be a bit more mature than displayed in previous albums.
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The album, released Feb. 3, is made up of 14 similarly-themed tracks of self-analyzing rhythms and trap beats. Releasing this album put him even more on the map than he was before with his self-assured tones.
“I Decided,” Big Sean’s fourth successful album, furthered the development of his “new” reputation. Big Sean is slowly stepping away from the boyish arrogance of his earlier songs, such as “Clique” featuring Kanye West and Jay-Z, into a new reputation of wisdom and understanding of living in the limelight.
The album further advances his come-up from his 2015 album, “Dark Sky Paradise,” as he raps more about his experience with fame and living in the view of the public.
As he mentions in his single “Bounce Back,” Big Sean believes he is very blessed. He embraces the fact that while he may be considered an underdog against the world’s biggest rappers like Drake and Kanye West, he still has a large following.
However, he doesn’t have many details that make his upcoming struggle captivating.
“I don’t want it if it can’t change sh-t drastically, dramatically,” he said on “Halfway Off The Balcony.” He doesn’t convey what he wants to change, making the verse and song hard to connect to.
It’s obvious that Big Sean is a talented rapper; his verses flow well and his beats are clearly catchy, considering a few songs from each of his albums become hits. “Bounce Back” has already gone gold and “Moves,” from “I Decided,” is regularly heard on the radio.
Though his songs can be inspiring to some, they don’t have the connectivity needed to become one of the highest ranking rappers in the world. In this boat, he’s just a regular run-of-the-mill rapper.
“I Decided” displays Big Sean’s ability to make catchy music. He’s emotionally deeper than past albums by rapping about his struggle with fame and being considered an underdog, but he still has a long way to go if he wants to be No. 1.