Big Sean - Detroit 2

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”.

IDK - IDK & FRIENDS 2

IDK is back! Yes, the DMV native has come back with another project after his incredible debut album, Is He Real? A second part to his IDK & FRIENDS, which helmed mainly DMV artists on the tape, including Q Da Fool, Rico Nasty, and Wale, with heavy additions such as Denzel Curry and Maxo Kream, IDK & FRIENDS 2 takes this concept a step further.

Newcomers to the friend’s list this year include producers Ronny J, Juicy J, and JetsonMade, along wieth many others, and new DMV link-ups such as Xanman, Big Jam, Yungmanny, and Big Flock, as well as others like PNB Rock and Alex Vaughn.

The tape is actually a soundtrack for NBA star, Kevin Durant’s Showtime documentary, Basketball County: In the Water. Both Kevin Durant and IDK are from PG County, Maryland, which is how they were able to connect for the project.

Check out our review of the new IDK & FRIENDS 2 tape below!

OMERTÀ

Shut the f*ck up

Our intro track for this project, presents IDK telling an unknown individual to stop running his mouth. The word Omertà is a Southern Italian code of silence and code of honor that places importance on silence in the face of questioning by authorities or outsiders. Basically, IDK is conveying that silence is power, and opening your mouth could end up being your downfall.

RILEY (ft. Xanman)

Indian plug, hold up, that n**** got work in a taxi cab

RILEY places Xanman right in his home in terms of production, with heavy 808s, hard piano keys, and an even harder beat to pull it all together. Xanman comes on with the infectious chorus before spitting verses on internet haters, shooters, moonwalking, Scooby Snacks, and his Indian plug. He alley-oops to IDK who slides onto the beat effortlessly, with the lyricism that solidifies this track a golden starter to the tape. As IDK says, he’s doing quite well for a Largo dropout.

MAZEL TOV (ft. A$AP Ferg)

Mazel Tov to the Gang

Started with a beautiful flute melody, the 808s crash into MAZEL TOV like a wave and by the time IDK’s first verse starts, you’re guaranteed to be already nodding your head and scrunching your face. On the track, IDK speaks on topics of fake friends, his lack of support from certain people in the early stages of his artistry, and oh yeah, his Jewish taxpayers. Ferg’s verse was as creative and flow-crazy as is expected of an artist of his caliber, tying a neat and hard bow on a fire track.

SQUARE UP (ft. Juicy J)

B*tch don’t call my phone no more, I don’t got no time for you fake ass h*es

One of our favorite tracks from the tape, considering it is the first track we actually see an IDK and Juicy J-. The frantic, running melody and the heavy, yet subtle 808s underneath give more bang to the percussion and hi-hats when they blend together. IDK’s vocals can be heard in the background, crooning with silent reverb and adding a delicate layer.

The DMV native spits with confidence and pride, showing no fear in his lyrics or topic of delivery. The bridge towards the second half of the track is a nice momentum builder for smooth, whimsical, and adlib-worthy Juicy J verse that follows.

BULLETPROOF (ft. Denzel Curry & Maxo Kream)

Think you bulletproof, ‘til my shooters shoot

BULLETPROOF rushes out the gate with a wavy Denzel and IDK bridge/chorus. The hook ignites the track before the first word of a verse is even said. The murky beat and overall dusky production with eerie chimes and weird synths, create the dark atmosphere where these artists thrive, especially Maxo Kream, who slid on his verse with perfection. Themes of young shooters, dead friends, and the promise to end any beef with a bullet.

END OF DISCUSSION (ft. PNB Rock)

She ain’t suckin, she ain’t f*ckin, end of discussion

One of the more sing-songy tracks on “IDK & FRIENDS 2”, END OF DISCUSSION has PNB Rock and IDK trading verses back and forth on the topic of broke haters, spending money simply because they can, stunting on those who’re out of their league, and moving out of the way of females who don’t have the energy they both desire. Creative and hard-hitting bars are littered throughout the track from both artists.

TOOTH FAIRY

Like a tooth under the pillow I get money when I sleep

When we heard that “Oh my god, Ronny!” tag on an IDK track, we at Nefarious can confirm that we almost screamed. IDK utilizes Ronny J’s production beautifully, hitting the pockets in the beat he needs to strike fire with every word that lands. IDK talks about the usual haters, getting money when he sleeps, comparing his moves to those with his name in their mouth.

495 (ft. YungManny, Big Flock, Big Jam, & Rico Nasty)

I got three oppositions that might f*ck ‘round and blow

We’ve already done our review for this track. Take a look here if you wanna read. Short answer:

🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

LIVE FOR IT (ft. Wale & Alex Vaughn)

You the MVP for it, and ball for it, yeah yeah

The slowest track on the tape, the keys on an organ piano leads LIVE FOR IT from start to finish, with the rest of the production swelling and building around it. Wale has a beautiful opening verse that sets the tone for the rest of the track, and Alex Vaughn’s iridescent vocals color the track a pretty color needed to blanket over IDK and Wale’s lyricism. The track fades out, taking elements from the production out subtly, as Wale ends of the project with the dimming bridge.

Hi-Hats & Heartaches; a Gem Lost in the Sea of Media.

When was the last time you heard the name 6dogs? I know I totally dropped him from my music-radar after that one viral song he dropped: ‘Faygo Dreams’ back in 2017 on his self-titled album. That was 3 whole years ago; the new 6dogs is sophisticated, different and very relatable.

6dogs (Chase Amick) was your typical, run-of-the-mill teenager living in Georgia, Atlanta. He went to a Christian private school, worked as a lifeguard and played video games in his spare time-until he discovered MC Hammer. After experiencing what the rap genre can provide; from the lyricism, the quick anecdotes and catchy punchlines-he decided to step up to the challenge and put together a masterpiece: a legitimate record without a single song that isn’t at least an easy 7.5/10.

Hi-Hats & Heartaches (December, 2019) has been the album I queue up at least 5 songs off the massive 21 track list everyday; everything that album preaches and fantasies about is what I (and I bet a lot of you) think about all the time. While this album doesn’t feature any artists besides himself; 6dogs perfectly embodies the feeling of growing up on his own- from running around as a kid and taking advantage of your innocence to the crippling struggle that is keeping a stable relationship and out-growing old hobbies you loved as you got older. Moreover; 6dogs takes every chance he gets on the album to question himself and his motives constantly as if he needs to remind himself why he made the decisions he made.

In this review; I’m going to focus on my ABSOLUTE favourite 2 songs off the record, just because I can listen to the entire album front to back multiple times daily. Starting off with the first song on the track list: ‘It’s Worth Feeling Empty <3’, is all about letting life just pass you by as you sit in the backseat and twiddle your thumbs. It’s all about the anxiety that comes with trusting the people around you while having to learn how to put your own wellbeing in the forefront of your development. Interestingly, 6dogs makes the sure to state that even though rappers might have money burning a hole in their pocket; it usually comes with the feeling of total emptiness, and it never actually solves any problems besides copping the designer jeans you saw that one time.

After listening to the first half of the album we’re met with ‘Blessings’: the total opposite of the previous song. This track describes the hustle and the arrogance associated with it; the endless cycle of progression and self-development while being drenched in Dior and buying expensive foreign cars in your spare time. In addition, 6dogs doesn’t shy away from his childhood as he reminisces on simpler times when all he had to do was play Halo on his Xbox and Google cheat-codes to impress his peers (there aren’t any cheat-codes for Halo). This song is a feel-good song for sure. Listening to someone else’s come up motivates me to actually get up and achieve my goals; if some random guy from Atlanta can do it….so can you.

Overall, this album accurately represents our current era; the people born in the early 2000s are finally growing up and dealing with adult problems, but they haven’t been taught how to handle these issues. The blurry daze of waking up and realising you’re turning 20 in a few months is terrifying; not to mention a whole new world of responsibilities and hardships that just so happen to land on our collective lap, but this album sheds light on this confusion. In contrast, 6dogs makes sure that main message being conveyed through his work is all about never losing focus no matter how difficult and inconvenient life gets. From the production to the lyrics; this album checks every box of a highly underrated masterpiece with 0 faults (that I could think of) from start to finish. 

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