Review: Big Sean - Dark Sky Paradise
By Joe Cooke, Contributor
[G.O.O.D Music; 2015]
Rating: 4/5
“Oh Gawd!” Big Sean is really trying to make this year a memorable one. Not only has he managed to date Ariana Grande, but the “boi” also dropped his new album Dark Sky Paradise on February 24. This release came at a great time, when many were wondering if G.O.O.D Music’s leading MC was starting to slowly fade into dust.
This record is mostly known for having everyone’s favorite club or house party anthem “I Don’t F*ck With You (IDFWU)" featuring E-40, and “Research” with Ariana Grande. "Research" takes sly shots at ex-lovers, supposedly focusing on Naya Rivera and haters who interrogate Sean’s life outside the booth.
As usual, Big Sean’s themes in his music bounce from egotistical comparisons with others to reflections on his past experiences with money, close friends and family. If one really gets into the project, it’s almost like he raps about his stories in progression.
He opens the album with “Dark Sky (Skyscrapers),” discussing his desire to get out of inner city Detroit for a better life, while “Blessings” featuring Drake and “All Your Fault” with Kanye West are ego-filled collaborations to help Sean boast about his flamboyant riches, females and accessories.
Soulful tracks like “Play No Games” (featuring Chris Brown and Ty Dolla $ign) and “Deep” featuring Jhene Aiko are more in the flow of slow anthems in order to charm the significant other, and are more reflective of the past choices Big Sean’s made.
The best track overall is “Paradise,” thanks to the dynamism of the bars and the top-notch production. Just like “Control” with Kendrick Lamar, this song serves as a rebel-like anthem delivering straightforward lines on how unapologetic Sean is. “Paradise” is dope because it sets the kind of vibe that claims rap should be a competition to see who should be at the top, not just a genre where everything is given without grind and talent.
Fittingly, his most inspirational song comes near the end with “One Man Can Change the World” featuring John Legend and Kanye West. He says, “She raised the kids, then the kids' kids, and she did it right / Taught me how to love, taught me not to cry.” This makes it clear he is using his music to evolve and gain wisdom thanks to his experiences and the example set by his recently deceased grandmother.
An added plus that was missing in 2013’s Hall of Fame is speed and energy in the bars. The only downfall of Dark Sky Paradise is Sean’s energy decreases along with the instrumentals by the LP's midpoint. He is at his best when he raps to instrumentals that are of west coast flavor with heavy-hitting, R&B-sampling melodies.
Big Sean has proven that the themes in his work will always stay true to who he is despite other lyricists compromising their natural style, or rapping about what everyone cares about. More importantly, it seems like Big Sean is getting back to his roots of older albums like 2011’s Finally Famous, which will help him to be a top 10 MC moving forward.
