Big Sean is back and in seemingly the biggest way possible. Coming off of a three-year hiatus after the release of his I Decided album, which is now certified RIAA Platinum, Big Sean decided that there wouldn’t be a better place to stage a comeback than back in his home of Detroit, Michigan. Detroit 2 is a sequel to Sean’s 2012 mixtape of the same title.
What makes this a standout record for us at Nefarious Supply is the sheer hunger in Sean’s lyricism, flow, delivery, and topics tackled. We see the Detroit-born artist reach down into the Michigan earth and take tight hold of his roots.
In this review, NS is here to tell you all our absolute favorite tracks off the album! Sean Don is back, and needless to say, we’re glad that he is. 😈
Deep Reverence (ft. Nipsey Hussle)
Deep Reverence is Big Sean’s chance for recollection and introspection. A golden track from start to finish, Nipsey Hussle deepens the meaning behind the track’s title and even Sean’s subject matter, with him looking back on his life and how far he’s come since then. On the song the two rap heavyweights trade bars about the various pressures of life, whether its pleasing fans, staying true to oneself. gang violence, personal troubles, and the rap game as a whole.
Big Sean states in February 2020: “I was working on this song with Nip and then Nip passed…”
He eventually released the song having finalized it, saying: “the world needs to hear [and] feel Nipsey presence!”
Wolves (ft. Post Malone)
Wolves establishes the first collaboration between Big Sean and Post Malone. Originally helming an A$AP Rocky verse, the track’s feature artist was soon switched to Post Malone, saving the Rocky collab for another track on the album. The wolves Big Sean is referring to in this track are his family. The two artists draw distinct parallels between their environment and community and wolves, invoking themes of dominance and loyalty to the pack.
The feature on this heavily murky production serves to only accentuate the theme behind the music, that they were raised by wolves, in a cold world, where you can be predator or prey.
ZTFO
ZTFO, short for “Zen The Fuck Out” which is a phrase the listener will become pretty familiar with, is another breakout track from the album. It features stellar adlibs by fellow rap heavyweight, Travis Scott, as well as fine-tuned production by Chase B, and sports Big Sean redistributing the various channels bad energy that comes in his direction. He never lets these bad vibes control or affect his state of mind, by the end of his infectious track, we’re pretty sure you’ll be singing the chorus too.
Guard Your Heart (ft. Anderson .Paak, Earlly Mac & Wale)
Guard Your Heart is one of our slower selections from Detroit 2. A beautiful walk through a metaphorical park with Anderson .Paak in one hand and Earlly Mac in the other, Big Sean skips along this song this introspective hit as both artists at his side lead him seamlessly to the final verse, hammered home by Wale. This is a point in the album where Big Sean reins himself in, as all four artists delve into their innermost thoughts.
Respect It (ft. Young Thug)
Respect It is the eleventh track on the album and has both Young Thug and Sean Don claiming the respect they deserve. With production handled by Detroit 2’s executive producer, Hit-Boy, the two rappers state their various accomplishments and takes inventory over their material belongings, flexing and demanding the deference and acclaim that got them to this point of their career in the first place.
The grungy trap beat fits underneath the two vocalists well, and the beat switch near the end seals the deal for us for this track.
Lithuania (ft. Travis Scott)
Probably the most popular song on the album, Lithuania features our very own Texas-made Travis Scott, who tackles a very infectious chorus with our very own Sean Don. The two trade bars on his braggadocious banger, rapping about their many travels and how fly they look at TSA and Baggage Claim, which is probably a nod to the northeast European country this song was named after. A catchy hook and even catchier bars, this is a solid track through and through.
Don Life (ft. Lil Wayne)
Don Life is the most celebratory track off of Detroit 2 for us. Featuring rap legend Lil Wayne and sampling the legendary Michael Jackson track, “Human Nature”, the two artists drop heavy verses discussing their relentless work ethic and perseverance in the face of hate and doubt. This collab was first teased in May 2019, and was the second half of a the same studio session where they released “I Do It”.