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Big Sean just delivered his first full-length studio album with Better Me Than You, following up on 2022's Detroit. The rapper's latest LP was distributed to all major DSPs last Friday (August 30) via FF to Def Entertainment and UMG Recordings Inc.
Sean's sixth studio album has a total of 21 records and includes features from Kodak Black, Gunna, Cash Cobain, The Alchemist, Bryson Tiller, Syd, and more, with a surprise appearance from WWE star and actor Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson.
The project also follows up on the rapper's recent feature on Tobey, from Eminem's 12th studio album The Death of Slim Shady, where he performed alongside Em and fellow Detroit rapper BabyTron.
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During the album rollout, Big Sean took to Instagram Live to connect with his fanbase and share his apprehension about releasing Better Me Than You when he stated:
"I’ve been having a hard f--king time, dawg, I’m not gon’ lie. Been in this b---h trying to finish an album, and I’m kinda tired of overthinking it. And, by the way, n---a, like me, I’ve been trying to be on some sober s--t so a n---a out here raw-dogging his emotions, bro"
The rapper proceeded to thank his mother for giving him advice and for being his "guardian angel" helping him through the album creation process. At the time of Better Me Than You's release, Sean took to Instagram again to thank all the producers who had worked with him and assisted on the LP's production.
Top picks from Big Sean's latest studio album Better Me Than You
Although Big Sean's Better Me Than You was initially scheduled to be released earlier this month, the LP's release was pushed back after songs from the tracklist allegedly leaked online.
Better Me Than You has a complete runtime of one hour and six minutes fueled by an extremely bouncy trap and R&B production, featuring deep-personal lyricism that delves into themes like:
- Relationships
- Love
- Intimacy
- Fatherhood
- Industry Status
- Competition
- Rivalry
- Wealth
- Success
- Luxury
Disclaimer: This review is rated explicit. Reader discretion is advised.
Typecast
(Production Credits: Jasper Harris, Presley Regier, BNYX®, Nami Beats, Tom Levesque, and Eryn Allen Kane)
On Typecast, Sean delivers an extremely memorable hook over a more fast-paced trap production that expresses a disgust toward his critics and competition for seemingly typecasting him as an "industry rapper".
The lyricism on this track appears to revolve mainly around the rapper attempting to disprove the criticism he faces. Big Sean highlights various instances from his personal life and career that showcase a more mature artistic vision. Notable bars from Typecast include lines like:
"Yeah, multi-million dollar salaries, for all of my legalities / And we comin' black tux when we movin' casually / Could build a damn positive affirmation gallery / Passin' plays to my n----s, so the income is passive / My genre isn't rap anymore, it's under classics"
Break The Cycle (Feat. Charlie Wilson)
(Production Credits: Leon Thomas, Peter Lee Johnson, Milan Beker, and Eryn Allen Kane)
Big Sean teams up with Charlie Wilson for Break The Cycle where the production delves into deeper R&B sonic tropes. The record is filled with personal lyricism and exceptional vocal performances that bring the song to life. Notable bars from Break The Cycle include lines like:
"Look, I got trauma that I haven't dealt with / I got feelings that I haven't gelled with / I got a lot of girls that wanna get up and meet / And have a conversation with me, after they melt quick / But I can't do that to my baby, I'm too solid (Mmm-hmm) / I mean, so solid, to the point, huh, that my homeboy is The Rock"
Apologize (Feat. Eryn Allen Kane)
(Production Credits: HARV, Johan Lenox, Marshall Mulherin, Parker Mulherin, and Lido)
Big Sean samples 2Pac on Apologize, which appears to be a track that references his relationship with Kanye West. Sean highlights instances from their time working together while signed under Ye's G.O.O.D Music record label until they officially parted ways in 2021.
As per a tweet made under Sean's X (formerly Twitter) account back in October 2021, the rapper explained that he worked his way out of his deal with G.O.O.D Music to get a "bigger cut".
This was later brought up again during his interview with Drink Champs when he addressed Kanye West calling Big Sean his "biggest mistake," with the Detroit rapper revealing that Ye still allegedly owed him 6 million dollars and master rights to his recordings.
"Apologize fake a--, snake a-- / You say you sorry when you not / Dug your grave, b---h, you got a lot / Only thing you good at, ain't no way I'm goin' out / Like that, like that / I ain't mad at you, but I ain't forgot / 'Cause I ain't mad at you / But I ain't forgot, no / I'ma hold your a-- accountable, a lot / Oh, surprise, I'm on top" - Big Sean's hook on 'Apologize'.
On Up
(Production Credits: KeY Wane, Eryn Allen Kane, and Amaire Johnson)
Opening as the 10th track, On Up delivers an emotional R&B cut sampling Jodeci’s 1995 track Get On Up. Sean dedicates the track to his son, Noah Hasani, with the rapper expressing his hope and fears for his son's future.
The track is carried by its single verse with Big Sean delving into themes of materialism and success, drawing parallels between his own experiences and the values he wishes to instill in his son.
"I got to start applying everything that I've been reading / It seemed like the tragedy of losing kids will never calm / I think about Trayvon, Breonna, my neighbor Deshaun / Damn, praying for protection for my family / And that he keep his hands on me to fight through this insanity" - Sean raps on 'On Up'.
Get You Back (Feat. Cash Cobain)
(Production Credits: WondaGurl, Mathaius Young, and BBYKOBE)
Big Sean teams up with Cash Cobain for a drill-inspired R&B cut where both rappers speak on themes of relationships, love, and intimacy.
Although Sean carries Get You Back for a majority of the single's four-minute runtime, Cash comes through with an outro that perfectly wraps up the track by delivering lines that express his attraction toward his love interest. Notable bars from this song include lines like:
"I know that you get what you give and I give you everything / Come give it back to me / I know it cost to be the boss, b---h, and you got a faculty / And every one of them on salary / And I know we don't really talk as much and that's really sad to me / I know you living on go but it feel like time stopped when you mad at me"
Big Sean's sixth studio album Better Me Than You is a masterfully crafted LP filled with raw performances over R&B, hip-hop, and trap cuts that give an insight into the rapper's life experiences and personal failures.
Sean's maturity and growth as an artist are both at the forefront of this album as listeners are introduced to deeper themes of fatherhood, family, and relationships, assisted by a well-rounded cast of features and guest appearances.
