Big Sean’s latest studio album comes at a pivotal point in the rap music industry. Drake recently surprise released an album and Kendrick Lamar is making waves with new music, while newcomers like Rae Sremmurd and O.T. Genasais are making their way onto the scene. As of this year, there have not been many big rap releases, which means that Big Sean had a massive listening public waiting on pins and needles for this release. The rapper had to be on his A-game with this album. Happily, he did not disappoint.
The album is a fantastic collection of tunes, and is the rapper’s best album to date. Led by the hit single “I Don’t F--- With You,” Big Sean promised a raw sound with his album. The song, which is a diss to a former flame, became extremely popular last fall and is proof of the rapper’s undeniable ability to make a hit. The hits on the album, though, would be nothing without the rapper’s amazing set of featured artists. E-40, Kanye West, Drake, John Legend, Lil Wayne and Chris Brown all make appearances just to name a few. As expected, he and current girlfriend Ariana Grande have a song together, which is also destined to climb the charts.
“All Your Fault” (feat. Kanye West) is one of the first standout tracks on the album. The song is a mid-tempo jam, sampling the Kanye and Travi$ Scott song, “Ambrosia.” Kanye and Big Sean trade verses “Watch The Throne”-style in this song, definitely making it one of the album’s strongest.
Another standout track is “One Man Can Change The World,” featuring Kanye West & John Legend — one of the most raw and emotional songs Big Sean has ever done. The ballad is both an inward look at his own past and a prospective towards the future. With lines like, “I hope you learn to make it on your own / And if you love yourself you know you’ll never be alone,” the chorus is powerful and truly inspiring. Big Sean reflects on the advice his grandmother used to give him in the style of Kanye West’s “Only One,” making for an amazingly warm moment on the album. The song talks about living your dream and the sacrifices it takes to make it in the industry, sometimes having to “wear a mask” in order to be successful.
Ariana Grande’s appearance on the deluxe version of the album is much needed, and the resultant song, “Research,” is one of the most fun songs the rapper has performed. The song is about a jealous girlfriend who isn’t afraid to interrogate her boyfriend or go through his phone and do some “research.” The playful tone of the song is perfect for the young couple — hopefully, a music video is forthcoming. All in all, “Dark Sky Paradise” is definitely Big Sean’s strongest album to date, which boasts a slew of well-placed featured artists (especially considering his songs with Kanye), as well as a great mix of fun club hits and laid-back rap jams.
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