Big Sean has officially entered the game.
In the past few years, he has been nominated for Grammys and VMAs, even winning a BET Hip-Hop Award for best mixtape with “Detroit” in 2013. But, somehow he has effectively flown just under the radar, below several other big names, not fully recognized and yet slowly building a solid rap career. But it seems as though there’s no stopping Sean Anderson from running with the big dogs now.
“Dark Sky Paradise” is Big Sean’s third album, and it easily surpasses his earlier music, both in content and quality. Several writers and producers collaborated on the album, bringing the deeply expressive track list to life. Collaborating with Kanye West’s record label seemed to have really opened doors for Sean.
He even raps his own phone number in the “Outro,” but don’t get too excited – the voicemail box is already full.
Throughout “Dark Sky Paradise,” Sean explores emotion and achievement's highs and lows. Here's a ranking of the album’s top songs to give you a feel for the tracks.
1. Dark Sky (Skyscrapers)
This is the first song on the album and it starts it off strong. Sean is projecting good vibes with sick lines and creative verses. He emphasizes past failures and mistakes that have taken his career to the level it is at today.
Lyric to Listen For: “He like ‘man slow down with the girls you’re f---ing with / If they ain’t a quarterback, there’s no point in rushing it.”
2. One Man Can Change the World ft. Kanye West and John Legend
This song has potential to hit the top charts. It appeals to both the hip-hop fans and the R&B lovers by bringing in the soothing piano and heartfelt style of John Legend. It’s especially distinctive because it still accentuates Sean’s mannerisms that make his music so unique.
Lyric to Listen For: “But when you're getting fast money, slow down, don't crash / With all the drive in the world, swear you still need gas.”
3. Paradise (Extended)
Sean is back spitting sick bars in this track, working with Mike WiLL Made-It to produce a fast-paced heartfelt jam. The low saxophone in the background provides perfect context that is placed appropriately behind emotional lines.
Lyric to Listen For: “Finally famous over everything, that’s a numerator.”
4. Deserve It ft. PARTYNEXTDOOR (Deluxe Edition Bonus Track)
This song is reminiscent of an old school Kanye track, which really proves who Big Sean is influenced by. The lyrics are simultaneously down-to-earth and creative, which is a mind-blowing combination that few rappers have.
Lyric to Listen For: “Some girls are the Lebron James of playing mind games / And switch their home team up every single time their mind change.”
5. Blessings ft. Drake and Kanye West
Focusing on the triumphs of his past, Sean collaborates with Drake and Kanye to produce an almost mellow list of blessings and triumphs that they’ve reached in their lives. The steady beat and repetition of the simple word “blessed” give off a different feel from a typical rap song, and the mood continues throughout the tune.
Lyric to Listen For: “I guess when your stars align / You do like the solar system and plan it out.”
6. Research ft. Ariana Grande (Deluxe Edition Bonus Track)
Creating a song with his current sweetheart was a bold and near-genius move on Sean’s part. The addition of female backup vocals was just what this album needed as the cherry on top of what appears to be a hugely successful album. It’s flirty, fun, catchy and Grande’s voice complements Sean’s perfectly.
Lyric to Listen For: “How you decode all my V-mails, Gmails even P.O. boxes got me P.O.’d / You saw my emails with CeCe when you wasn't CC'd / I'm on my way to halfway, my baby, I need you to meet me.”
7. I Don’t F---k With You ft. E-40
This ridiculous hit couldn’t be left off, and it’s popular for a reason — chock full of profanity and super catchy beats, IDFWU has become a sensation of a song. There is hardly a night when a bar isn’t blasting it or people aren’t jokingly shouting the lyrics at each other. It may lack creativity, but Sean knew what he was doing when he cranked out this radio hit.
Line to Listen For: “Got a million things on my mind, executive deals online / Limited amount of time, chasin’ these dollar signs and you ain’t on your grind.”