It is shaping up to be a huge year for Detroit’s own, Big Sean. The highly anticipated new album titled “I Decided” was just released and it’s an extremely honest, open, and personal record.
To start the album off, you have “Intro,” which could have a double meaning, because it’s a very introspective opener. The listener can hear someone talking about what they have done with their life and how time flew by, and self doubt. Almost seamlessly the next song “Light (Feat. Jeremih)” which is a minimalistic and ambient track that shows Sean reminiscing on him trying to find his path on his way to where he is today.
What can be considered the most lyrically impressive song on the album is “No Favors” which features the one and only Detroit legend, Eminem. Anyone who hops on a track with Em has to seriously step their game up to try to compete with him, and Sean came through on this song with some highly impressive bars and flow.
“Woodgrain steering wheel, this bitch feel like a pirate ship/How many hot verses ’til you bitches start acknowledgin’/The pictures we been paintin’ my n****, connected to a higher power, how I know?/ ‘Cause I don’t write this shit, I think it, my n****”
Eminem has one of the most insane verses on the entire album, just snapping, and showing a side of Shady that many haven’t heard in years. He dedicates a whole series of bars to Sandra Bland and Philando Castille, all while ripping Anne Coulter apart.
“And f*** Ann Coulter with a Klan poster/ With a lamp post, door handle, shutter/ A damn bolt cutter, a sandal, a can opener, a candle, rubber/ Piano, a flannel, sucker, some hand soap, butter/A banjo and manhole cover/Hand over the mouth and nose smother/Trample ran over the tramp with the Land Rover/The band, the Lambo, Hummer and Road Runner/Go ham donut, or go Rambo, gotta make an example of her/ That’s for Sandra Bland, ho, and Philando”
Voices In My Head/Stick to the Plan might be one of the most interesting songs on the album. It has essentially two songs in one with the first half showing self doubt and the “voices in my head saying I could do better.” Near the half way mark the song has a complete beat switch up and shows Sean telling himself to stay focused and keep grinding. Highly famed producer Metro Boomin does production for the track, and adds a whole new element to the track.
The album closer, “Bigger than Me” features The Flint Chozen Choir and Starrah. This showcases his feelings towards his hometown and wanting to make them proud, and how his career is a destiny for him. To end the song, it has a conversation between Big Sean and his Mom. Its an extremely poignant and personal part of the album. They speak about getting second chances and this sense of living through one another.
“I Decided.” marks a huge step in Big Sean’s career and shows a mature side that many haven’t seen before. 4/5
