Big Sean’s “Detroit 2” album is jam-packed with hits.

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TOP 5

 

5. FRIDAY NIGHT CYPHER

On “Friday Night Cypher,” you get a chance to hear Detroit’s best rappers spit bars over hard-hitting/legendary beats.

There are so many different styles of rapping on “Friday Night Cypher.” Some rappers sound like trap rappers, some sound like GOD MCs, and some sound like they were raised by wolves. In all honesty, I was blown away by the song.

Just to let you know, “Friday Night Cypher” features the following people: Tee Grizzley, Kash Doll, Cash Kidd, Payroll, 42 Dugg, Bobby Jones, Drego, Sada Baby, Royce Da 5’9, and Eminem.

 

 

4. HARDER THAN MY DEMONS

Big Sean preaches his ass off on “Harder Than My Demons”

“Harder Than My Demons” is powered by a hard-hitting/soulful beat. Over it, Big Sean lets the world know how to work smart, how to overcome hate, and why he doesn’t f**k with Flu shots. Throughout the song, the Detroit rapper sounds hella focused, woke, and amped up.

I love the swag that Big Sean raps with on “Harder Than My Demons.”

 

 

3. LUCKY ME

I love it when Big Sean sticks his chest out on songs. I also love it when he keeps it real with folks. On “Lucky Me,” Sean does both!

In “Lucky Me,” Big Sean reminds the world that he can’t be f**ked with when it comes to getting money, getting chicks, and getting busy on the mic. He also lets the world know that he’s dodged a few bullets. Throughout the song, Sean switches between cocky and humble, and competitive and gentlemanly. The song’s beat also switches between soothing and thunderous.

 

 

2. BODY LANGUAGE

I love how multi-faceted “Body Language” is.

“Body Language” boasts old school R&B vibes, a memorable hook by both Ty Dolla $ign and Jhene, and a bunch of powerful/juicy lyrics by Big Sean. Personally, I think the song is impossible to hate. Matter of fact, it’s the one song on Detroit 2 that I think is very addictive.

 

 

1. DEEP REVERENCE

Big Sean and Nipsey Hussle drop serious bars on “Deep Reverence.”

“Deep Reverence” is a powerful rap banger. The song starts off with a short verse by Nipsey Hussle in which he schools us on street codes and reminds us that he was always ready for smoke. From there, you get a lengthy verse by Big Sean in which he opens up about Nip’s death, his beef with Kendrick Lamar, and his mindset today.

I love it when Nipsey Hussle sounds like he’s ready to smack the living daylight out of someone on a song. I also love it when Big Sean lets his mind be free on songs.

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SONG BY SONG BREAKDOWN

1. WHY WOULD I STOP (4/5)

2. LUCKY ME (5/5)

3. DEEP REVERENCE (5/5)

4. WOLVES (4/5)

5. BODY LANGUAGE (5/5)

6. STORY (N/A)

7. HARDER THAN MY DEMONS (5/5)

8. EVERYTHING THAT’S MISSING (5/5)

9. ZTFO (3/5)

10. GUARD YOUR HEART (5/5)

11. RESPECT IT (3/5)

12. LITHUANIA (4/5)

13. FULL CIRCLE (4/5)

14. TIME IN (3/5)

15. STORY BY ERYKAH BADU (N/A)

16. FEED (4/5)

17. THE BADDEST (3/5)

18. DON LIFE (3/5)

19. FRIDAY NIGHT CYPHER (5/5)

20. STORY BY STEVIE WONDER (N/A)

21. STILL I RISE (4/5)

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OVERALL RATING

(B+)

 

If you didn’t think that Big Sean experimented enough in his music, you will change your mind after you listen to Detroit 2. Throughout the album, he raps over all kinds of beats, he hits us with all kinds of flows, he talks about all kinds of s**t, and he takes on all kinds of personas.

When we think about the best rappers in the game, we tend to leave out Big Sean’s name. In my opinion, he is more than capable of putting together verses that are dynamic, appealing, knowledgeable, trill, and engaging. He also knows how to slip melodies into his music that are too infectious to ignore. With that being said, Big Sean does a great job of keeping us on our toes throughout Detroit 2. One minute, he might sound like he’s ready to beat the hell out of a mic, while on another song, he sounds like he’s about to pick some flowers with a mic. The bi-polar relationship he has with the music on the album results in one of the bumpiest roller coaster rides known to man.

Honestly, I don’t think that there is a single bad song on Detroit 2. With that being said, the songs that I pointed out on my top 5 list are great! They are not only great because they slap, but they are also great because they are full of meaningful lyrics.

Though Detroit 2 features a bunch of rappers, it didn’t feel like it did. Every single guest fits in nicely on the songs they are apart of. I also feel like each guest filled in any gaps that Big Sean couldn’t fill on the album. (See why it is important to feature artists on your album that understand you?)

I’m not ready to admit that Detroit 2 is Big Sean’s best work to date… I will say this, though: I think it is his most complete and most dynamic body-of-work. Way to swing for the fences and hit a bunch of home runs, Sean!

What Grade do you give #Detroit2 by Big Sean so far ??

— Ratings Game Music (@RatingsGame) September 4, 2020