Best Big Sean Songs: Hip-Hop Gems

Early in his career, Big Sean secured a coveted co-signature from Kanye west. What he has done since is remarkable. Sean’s albums, starting with Black sky paradise in 2015, followed by I’ve decided in 2017, and Detroit 2 in 2020, all of them debuted atop the Billboard 200 and received Platinum certifications. Sean has a unique ability both in rap circles around his competitors, but also to write friendly choruses for his songs. He is an artist restless in spirit, but cohesive in form.

Big Sean is also from Detroit, a fact he rarely lets you forget. He is a native of Motor City who relishes the macabre caricature that is sketched in the media. It’s the same kind of doubt that fuels all of his best work, the need to find an opponent you can prove your mettle against, similar, in this way, to many Hall of Fame athletes. Big Sean has spent his career turning rap into competition, using guest features to compete against the best.

Listen to the best Big Sean songs on Apple Music or Spotify.

When he turns to put on more, Big Sean does so for specific reasons. “Fat Raps (Remix),” a 2018 cut group, helped reframe Asher Roth as a reformed party animal with effortless skill, and retro-leaning Chuck Inglish as a forward-thinking revolutionary. On “Friday Night Cypher”, he once again represented his city with a who’s-who of the stars of Detroit. There’s Tee Grizzley, Kash Doll, Cash Kidd, Payroll, 42 Dugg, Boldy James (again), Drego, Sada Baby, Royce da 5’9 ″, and Eminem.

Effortlessly creative with an ear for pop hooks, this list of Big Sean’s best songs serves as an introduction to a key hip-hop voice.

Fat Raps (Remix) feat. Chuck Inglish, Asher Roth, Chip Tha Ripper, Dom Kennedy and Boldy James (2018)

On the “Fat Raps” remix, which was originally released by Chip Tha Ripper with verses from Sean and Curren $ y, the Detroit MC brings together some of the city’s brightest stars for a thrilling group cut. Boldy James steals the show, just two years ahead of his historic 2020 run.

Marvin & Chardonnay feat. Kanye West and Roscoe Dash (2011)

“Marvin & Chardonnay”, taken from Big Sean’s first label Finally famous, finds the MC celebrating the finer things in life with his label boss Kanye West and Georgia mainstay Roscoe Dash. Armed with maximum Hype Williams video, the track found Sean cashing in on his goodwill to mixtape into the mainstream superstar.

Sacrifices (2017)

Big Sean and Migos on a song together? It works. Sean changes his flow to approximate the staccato and triplet flow of the Atlanta trio, showing off his versatility. The track, presented on I’ve decided, completes a successful album containing songs like “Bounce Back” and “Jump Out The Window”.

Voices in My Head / Sticking to the Plan (2017)

This medley comes from I’ve decided, a very unique entity in Sean’s discography. Before Travis Scott returned “SICKO MODE” at any time, Sean was innovating the form on “Voices In My Head / Stick To The Plan”. The first half is a moody, introspective song drowned in doubt and angst, while the second finds Sean getting excited.

Supa Dupa (2010)

“Supa Dupa” is from Sean’s acclaimed mixtape in 2010, UKnowBigSean. By this point, Sean had already signed with Kanye West’s GOOD Music, and that confidence is apparent throughout the song. On a playful and hopping rhythm, Sean associates freely, displaying his verbal dexterity and his undeniable talent for a great internal rhyme.

Superior (2012)

“Higher”, the first song from Big Sean’s influential mixtape in 2012, Detroit, is an epic introduction. He raps: “My, my, my, as the world turns / Today, if I don’t win, I’d better believe I’m going to learn,” which was the guiding philosophy of the early years of his career. Even with the big recording deal and brilliant features, Sean is a grinder at heart.

10-2-10 (2013)

While the song features lyrics that have aged badly, Big Sean’s ode to bustle is an anthem that endeared the MC to a wider audience. His ability to bring energy while rapping with impeccable control is unmatched. the Hall of fame The song features an iconic Sean line at the end of its chorus: “Losing Everything Nightmares Boost My Adrenaline.” ”

Getcha Some (2007)

“Getcha Some” features a classic Kanye West beat from his time as a one-of-a-kind beatmaker, and that alone propels this song to the top of Sean. The beat is reminiscent of Clipse’s classic “Grindin ‘”, with punchy percussion giving Sean more than enough room to show off his swagger and penchant for the finer things in life. Featured on Finally famous: the mixtape, “Getcha Some” remains a favorite among Big Sean enthusiasts.

IDFWU (2014)

“IDFWU” was practically conceived in a successful factory. It features a production by Mustard, Kanye and Mike Free, as well as a stellar verse from rap legend E-40. For his part, Sean brings a relentless energy, brushing aside haters and skeptics with the ease of someone removing lint from his shoulder. It remains one of Sean’s biggest hits to date, landing at No.11 on the Billboard Hot 100 and serving as the first single on his 2015 album. Black sky paradise.

All Your Fault feat. Kanye West (2015)

On “All Your Fault,” Big Sean goes bar for bar with his mentor, label boss and hero, Kanye West. The song contains excerpts from Ambrosia’s 1978 song “How Much I Feel” and includes additional vocals from a very young Travis Scott. It is a foreshadowing of the direction that rap would take in the second half of the 2010s, melted into autotune and cut at a deliberately rhythmic half-speed.

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