Big Sean releases “Detroit 2”

Sean Anderson, more famously known under his pseudonym Big Sean, has arguably become one of the biggest influential artists to come from the Motor City. Even after his 2011 debut “Finally Famous” emerged, Sean’s 17-track Detroit mixtape was filled with what makes him so great – the undeniable verses, energy, depth and talent. His devotion to promoting and sharing his love for Detroit has been unwavering. Detroit 2 seems to come just when we needed him most.

“I think people will be able to relate to [the album] wherever they’re from,” said Big Sean in a recent interview with Vulture.

“Detroit is an inclusive city. A lot of people haven’t been, but Detroit is fun, man. That shit is the best. It ain’t bougie. It ain’t Hollywood. We real people from there. We’ve been through the worst. We’ve been dealt the bottom before. It’s cool whenever you meet people from the D. We know what it’s like to hustle. We know what it’s like to be starving. I think that does something to the character of a person. That’s what I love about being from Detroit: It’s like I had to really earn my way.”

Under the production of Hit-Boy and Kanye West, Detroit 2 covers a lot of ground in its vast 21 song tracklist.

Featuring voice memos from Stevie Wonder, Dave Chapelle and Erykah Badu and features from all across the rap and R&B landscape, this record accomplishes a common struggle with modern (and albeit, shorter) albums. It never truly makes the listener feel exhausted, overwhelmed or … simply, bored.

One of the album highlights is the nearly ten-minute track “Friday Night Cypher.” The song features eleven rappers and three producers from Detroit. With highlights including Eminem to Kash Doll to Royce Da 5’9”, this track feels like the euphoric celebration and collaboration Detroit needed. Sean shared that this song is “definitely a moment on the album where the city comes together, even people who are rumored to have misunderstandings and beef.”

There are only a few missteps on the record – including the clunkier “Lithuania” with Travis Scott and the Post Malone-assisted single “Wolves.”

The latter of which seems to be one of the more radio-friendly numbers on Detroit 2. However, despite all of the features, Sean seems to shine brightest on his own – primarily with “ZTFO,” album-opener “Why Would I Stop?” and the incredibly produced “The Baddest.”

Other top tracks from the record include the Nipsey Hussle-assisted “Deep Reverence” and “Lucky Me.” Both are vulnerable tracks about Sean’s most personal moments ranging from his public breakups, his early heart disease diagnosis and miscarriage. This raw honesty is part of what makes Sean’s music so successful and everlasting. It transcends and relates to his fanbase, no matter how much his star status rises.

You can stream Detroit 2 here on Spotify.

Best tracks:

“Friday Night Cypher” (feat. Tee Grizzley, Kash Doll, Cash Kidd, Payroll, 42 Dugg, Boldy James, Drego, Sada Baby, Royce Da 5’9” and Eminem)

“Body Language” (feat. Ty Dolla $ign and Jhené Aiko)

“ZTFO”

“Why Would I Stop?”

“Don Life” (feat. Lil Wayne) 

Featured photo courtesy of Def Jams Recording