Big Sean - Hall of Fame Review

Big Sean - Hall of Fame

Release Date - August 27, 2013

Label: Def Jam

by: Shadi Khoury

The themes on this album focus on positive thinking, motivational raps, and work ethic. This is one of the most thoughtful rap records to come out this year. Hall of Fame is optimistic in a real sense, not a dreamer sense. Big Sean is not saying you can do anything. Well, he is saying that but with a huge caveat. Sean emphasizes success and work ethic as inseparable. This album is a rap journal that advocates relentless hustle to achieve goals.

“Nothing is Stopping You” is the intro and first track on the album. This shows a great ability by Big Sean to tell stories. This story is how Sean meets Kanye West at the radio station and he gets attention to the level on Kanye signing him. The second verse shows Sean being reciprocal after he is successful and gives a young rapper a chance to rap for him.

The verse that captures the aura of this album is on “First Chain.” When Sean raps, “Dreams stopped being dreams when I turned em into goals” he is enforcing there is no lazy on this album. Self made, that is what this song embodies. Sean crafted this song to convey constant forward movement. He closes his first verse with a line that shows that Sean is successful but hasn’t changed. “Now i’m in the penthouse look at what a mil do, looking in the mirror and i'm still you.”

The best proof that Big Sean is not a dreamer but a worker is “10 2 10.” Sean references working hard like a Mexican in the chorus and “Nightmares of losing everything boost my adrenaline.” This song summons an urgency not just in Sean but from the listener as well. Seamlessly the following song is “Toyota Music.” This song is meant to complement the previous one. You would ride to work on “10 2 10” and when you get off you will turn on “Toyota Music.”

This albums dwells mostly on success and positive thinking. “MILF” serves as a sexual comic break. The title is what you think it means. Keep your mom away from Sean know what I mean? Nicki Minaj and Juicy J are featured here and they both contribute to the comedy. But the best joke comes from Big Sean when he addresses the mommas kids. “Up in the keyhole straight spying only knock on the door if you dyin. I wish I could stay in here forever, you the only reason me and your mama aint together.”

“Fire” is a unique track at the beginning of the LP. Sean does a great job flowing on such an unorthodox beat. The sounds have a choppy element but Sean raps as smooth as he looks on them. His positive theme gets enforced another motivational line. “Can do anything in to world except not do it.” These songs show that Sean is a humble and confident person. This song is called “Fire” mostly because of the chanting on the beat but Big Sean’s darts make this song hotter. 

The standard LP ends with “All Figured Out” the coda to this record. Big Sean won’t get enough credit for such a perfect encompassing closer. He should be praised, this song is the completion of a beautiful circle that was thoughtful and relentless. The end of this track will add to your soul, and it still gives me chills.

The deluxe edition has three additional tracks. I would strongly recommend the deluxe because the extra tracks are extra dope. They are “Mula Remix” which has exceptional verses by Sean and 2 Chainz. “Switch Up” features Common on an appealing track you wouldn’t expect him on. “Guap” has fun raps and a fun beat, it is the last track on the deluxe.

Hall of Fame is a weighty title that implies greatness. Greatness stands the test of time. This is one of the best rap records to come out in years, and I believe it will be relevant for decades.