It seems that Big Sean has finally carved out his space within modern hip-hop with his fourth studio album, "I Decided." The highly anticipated follow up to his 2015 release, "Dark Sky Paradise", shows that Big Sean has clearly matured as an artist. Most notably, he trades in his typically raunchy and provocative lyrics for more thoughtful storytelling and a clear message: Big Sean has decided, just as the title of his album implies, that it’s his time to achieve success and make a name for himself.
With that being said, "I Decided." still comes through with plenty of club bangers, such as the instant hit “Bounce Back," to keep party-loving fans content. The difference, in this case, is that they’re surrounded by a variety of deeper tracks that document Sean’s personal life, such as “Owe Me” and “Sunday Morning Jetpack”, two of the album's strongest moments that touch on previous relationships; as well as “Inspire Me”, a tribute to Sean’s mother.
Another key strength lies in the fact that while Big Sean now has four albums under his belt,"I Decided." is the first that truly feels like a cohesive project. There are no filler tracks or obvious low points, which is an impressive feat for any artist. Each song has its place, all tied together by a well thought out variety of instrumentals, skits, and guest appearances.
While some rappers end up being overshadowed by the artists that they feature, Sean’s features are spaced out across the album in a manner that never distracts from the fact that this is his album. The only moment that feels out of place occurs on “No Favors,” which features a lengthy verse from fellow Detroit rapper, Eminem, that walks a fine line between edgy and controversial and downright cringeworthy.
Despite this, "No Favors" is still a solid track, and the other guest appearances add to Sean's project in a much more fitting manner. Jeremih, The-Dream, and the up-and-coming "Bad and Boujee" rappers, Migos, are among the short list of features, and they act as the proverbial icing on the cake that is "I Decided." Big Sean did not set out to create his own "2014 Forest Hills Drive," which was completely devoid of features, he simply created his own project and collaborated with other artists as he deemed it necessary.
Big Sean has spent years as an “underdog” in the rap and hip-hop genre, but he has made it clear that he doesn’t intend to stay that way. "I Decided." could easily be the album that pushes Big Sean's career to a new level, and it is a clear statement to fans and critics alike that Big Sean only intends to keep going up from here.
