I’ve been saying for a while now, the “1A Leader of The New School” is Big Sean. I went from not being a fan at all to a shameless promoter of the Finally Famous movement, since the “Detroit” project dropped. Although “Hall of Fame” disappointed “the critics and people on the fence” I was happy with it. The flows, the rhymes, the efforts all were on point to me and if you listen line for line Sean’s verse on “Control” is better than Kendrick’s, but enough about that. Dark Sky Paradise definitely picks up where “Detroit” left off and is a definite better version of “Hall of Fame”. Since I like every song on this album, I am going to list my first listen favorites.

First Listen Favorites
Dark Sky
Blessings Feat Drake
All Your Fault feat. Kanye West
Play No Games feat. Chris Brown and Ty Dolla $ign
Stay Down
Outro

We already knew “IDFWU” with E-40 was a smash last year, so it’s no reason for me to even list that. The extended version of “Paradise” probably has what will be one of the best verses of the year and “I Know” with Jhene Aiko is dope and honestly they are becoming a great collaboration tandem.

On “Deep” Lil Wayne says “I don’t think Sean get enough shine…” and it’s true, but not for the reasons people would normally blame. Big Sean is signed to Kanye but, you could never really tell because Ye lets Sean fly and stand on his own. It’s a lot of new cats being championed because of their “Big Homey” or because they sound like a throwback of one of your favorite artist or groups, while Sean is one of the few new artist that is truly bringing innovation to the game and yet seems to be overshadowed and under appreciated. It makes no sense. People scream “hip-hop is dead” and it’s a young cat out here bringing different subject matter, different flows, not riding waves and not swinging from the coattails of his label heads and he’s not even brought up in the majority of your “current Top 5” conversations.

If you cop the deluxe edition, you are going to get 3 additional, very solid joints. Usually the very first “Couple Collab” we get to hear be kinda trash, but “Research” with Ariana Grande is definitely worth a couple listens.

If you’re truly embracing the new school artist in the game and you are in support of X-Factor talent, there is no way you can’t respect and support Big Sean and this album. This is the album that Big Sean gains new ears and new fans.

Sean is still grinding, finally reaping the benefits of being famous and although he no longer has his grandma on earth and is seemingly in a new relationship every year, he maintains superior lyrical ability and storytelling like no one else in his class. Sparring no words, Big Sean’s “Dark Sky Paradise” is so far my favorite hip-hop project of the year 2015 and it’s going to be pretty hard to knock this one out of the top 3-5 of this year no matter who drops. If you don’t like this album, you’re taste in hip-hop music is questionable.

Buy The Album NOW: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/dark-sky-paradise-deluxe/id963397688