Big Sean: Mixtape Review

Today's review: Big Sean, an up-and-coming artist under Kanye West's label, G.O.O.D. Music, from Detroit, Michigan.

Now, the first time I saw him was at the Def Jam party at Brooklyn Sneaker Box and to be quite honest, while he was performing, I was barely paying attention. I was more focused on the Nuvo being served at the open bar *guilty face*.

Anyways, I took his mixtape CD, "U Kno Big Sean", home and popped it in the laptop to give it a listen. I've got to admit, it was pretty good. Hell, it had to be if I sat down and listened to the whole thing in its entirety in ONE sitting. And then jumped straight the computer to blog about it. Then again, it is 3 a.m. and I could have just been hella bored. Anywho, the CD has 31 tracks [yeah, I know I'm crazy for the one sitting thing] and though he has a few featured artists on it, Sean did pretty well on his own. He featured Mike Posner, Pat Piff, Earlly Macmillion, Keely, Santigold, Jay K, Dusty McFly, and Jwan.

With a swag and voice similar to Drake and obvious influence from Kanye, Big Sean embodies nothing but the making of a success story. So far, I'd have to say my favorites are "Intro", "Desire, Want, & Need", "Who Knows", "Mr. Incredible", and "Say You Will". Ain't that alot of favorites??

I believe his debut album "Finally Famous" is set to be released sometime in 2009. I see great potential in Big Sean. Looks like Kanye has good taste. Hopefully the general public does too.

Semi Album Review

While at a promotional party for Def Jam Recordings at the Brooklyn Sneaker Box, I was handed an album sampler for upcoming R&B artist, Jeremih. The Chicago-bred artist has been at the top of the charts with his hit single "Birthday Sex."

The sampler contained five songs off his self titled album, set to release June 30, 2009: Everywhere We Are, Birthday Sex, My Ride, Raindrops, and Birthday Sex (uptempo version).

While listening to the tracks, I could not subdue this reoccurring though-- The Dream. In just about every song, with every croony note, I imagined The Dream singing all these songs. Not to say The Dream could perform them better, I just felt that it was semi-autotuneish, although I believe that is just how he sounds.

The songs themselves were not bad, they were catchy enough to have me sing the words if I listened to it a few times. I had to skip over "Birthday Sex" because the radio has already overplayed that track.

And oh-my-god. The uptempo version of "Birthday Sex" has GOT TO GO. I have never heard a song so annoying. I'm assuming this was meant to be a club remix or something, but quite honestly, if I heard this in the club I would stop dancing and cover my ears.

I will try to keep an open mind about his album since I only heard 5 songs, and it would be unfair to judge him accordingly.

Jeremih, I hope you impress me a little more come June 30th. Good Luck.

--TheSRV.