By: Matias Manriquez (Editor & Writer: Hip-Hop’s Forum)
Big Sean comes through with Finally Famous 3: BIG.
Coming from the west side of Detroit Big Sean is “finally famous”. The ego-driven, punchliner comes through with his third installment of the Finally Famous mixtape series. With the direction of Dj Don Cannon; Sean goes in on some of the years hot beats along with some classics showcasing his laid-back, ego-driven flow.
The mixtape’s “Watchu Doin?” is slated to be the lead single off the G.O.O.D music rapper’s freshman album, Finally Famous. The beat is catchy but limited which points it towards annoyance after several plays. There are funny punchlines but overall it is lacking substance. It struggles with appeal, especially when compared to some of the singles other artists in Sean’s class have come out with, notably:
- Drake: “Best I Ever Had” / “Over”
- Kid Cudi: “Day n Night”
- Wale: “Chillin”
- Asher Roth: “I love College” (terrible song but massive)
- J.Cole: “Who Dat”
The knock on Big Sean is that he’s limited in content to the point where it comes off as ignorance overshadowed by arrogance. That is a harsh criticism especially since the only material we have are mixtapes—not to be confused with albums. Ludacris rarely raps about material with substance yet his style and humor have made him one of the best artists of our generation. Big Sean often rants about making money and blowing up, but that doesn’t mean he can’t spit when it counts. Finally Famous: The Mixtape and Finally Famous 2: UKNOWBIGSEAN were classics and showed range.
I met Sean at a signing and took a minute to talk with him about his ascent up the Hip-Hop ladder. He seemed genuine about his love for rap and his appreciation for everything. He stressed how much he loved his fans, and how he tries to make himself available to them.That being said his latest mixtape falls short of the success of the others. Lyrically, he shines bright at times especially when going up against features: Drake, Bun B, Asher Roth (who still sounds way too much like Eminem), Curren$y, Chuck Inglish, Tyga, Chip The Ripper, and Kanye West.
That being said, Sean will surprise on his debut release especially if it is executive produced by West. While his first single might have fallen short of commercial success, the album’s content will be good as long as he can stray from money and riches raps, and move to some more lyricism and storytelling which he is capable of. [ Check Finally Famous 2: UKNOWBIGSEAN's "Minds Playing Tricks on Me" and Finally Famous:The Mixtape's "Story To Tell"]. Still Finally Famous 3:BIG is a great mixtape for driving or partying to and anyone who doubts Sean’s rhyming ability can listen to him go toe-to-toe with Kanye on the last song … fresh.
“Fat Raps (Remix)”
“Bonus Track” Feat. Kanye West
“Watchu Doin? “
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