“I’m on a Different Cycle”
Detroit rapper Big Sean released Better Me Than You on August 30.
Artists always say their new albums are better than their previous ones. They tend to mention that they are constantly reinventing themselves.
That can be true in some instances. Other times, it is only to get the industry’s and fans’ attention. Don’t get me wrong, all projects are different. Artists evolve. That’s just life.
One artist does try to do things differently. Big Sean has been on a mission since the birth of his son in 2022. His music seems more sincere and tainted with empathy.
Empathy is a theme that often appears in his new project, Better Me Than You, which came out last Friday, August 30. Big Sean isn’t shinning away from what he loves more. Rap is still his go-to; he excels at it.
He doesn’t sit on his laurels. Big Sean tries to integrate new sounds while associating himself with close fellow artists.
On the album’s fourth track, we can feel how brilliantly he mixes soul with rap, something that’s dear to him. His collaboration with Uncle Charlie couldn’t be more on point. That song reminds us that we can always push through and “break the cycle” when we choose to do so.
That’s particularly true for the man who grew up in Detroit with his mom and grandmother. He didn’t have much during his youth. He still persevered and made a name for himself. That’s why the song lyrics are meaningful: “Break the cycle of us thinkin’ we don’t have enough, you know? Livin’ in the illusion of scarcity. She never got her Chanel, but I broke the cycle”.
More than ever, we can sense that Big Sean’s mission or calling is to empower people to be their best selves. He has done that over his young career, but we can now see he is taking it to a new height.
Not only did he break the negative cycle, but he is also on a new, better cycle. During our lifetime, it is easy to get stuck in the past and reminisce about what went wrong. In that case, we think about life goals instead of truly living life. That’s the worst thing that can happen when we don’t fulfill what we were put on this earth to do.
If you are an R&B fan, you recognize Who You Are (Superstar). It’s an excellent remake of Superstar (a throwback to Usher’s Confessions). He took that sweet love song and made it his own without losing the essence of the initial message. It seems like Big Sean has found his soulmate, Jhené Aiko. Relationships can change people. Love does bring changes.
Don’t take yourself too seriously. Don’t worry too much about the potential outcomes. But mostly, don’t take stuff too personally. Sometimes, things are just out of your control, and you can do nothing about it. That’s the message of It Is What It Is, an excellent rap song with his friend Gunna.
A few moments later, he takes it down a notch with Apologize. It is an original song that sets the mood for what’s to come.
In anticipation of the album’s release, Big Sean released On Up. It is catchy and uplifting. His son will be able to go back to this one for valuable life lessons when he is older. “And the confidence you lose, you could build again.”
This one must be close to Big Sean’s heart since he has been open about mental health struggles in the past in a refreshing way for a rapper. We might have good and bad days. The most important thing is to remember that the sun always shows up after the rain. There are better days ahead. We constantly need to remind ourselves of that.
For me, the second part of the album begins with Something. The tone changes slightly without Big Sean’s losing the storyline. Black Void is unforgettable, unlike anything else. It is a well-placed addition to the project.
His collaboration with Bryson Tiller was long overdue. Fans won’t be disappointed with the result, as the song This N That is also alongside Kodak Black.
Every song on Better Me Than You is worth a listen. For example, Million Pieces is a slow rap jam inspired by old school classics. It is the perfect song for gatherings at snow parks while people are doing tricks on the jumps.
But what about Get You Back, featuring Cash Cobain? This jam is the pump-up song of the album. Fighters will listen to this one before getting in the ring. It gets you going. You need to turn up the volume of your radio when this one comes on!
The two songs that got to me most of the album are Boundaries and My Life/Happiness. Boundaries explains how we sometimes need to take a moment to realign our priorities and concentrate on what matters. We need to think about ourselves before all and preserve our mental sanity.
My Life/Happiness is one of those songs with a beat that brought happy tears to my eyes. With the help of Ellie Goulding, he explores a couple of principles. First, let’s not care what people think. We should all do things because we feel like doing them. The song’s second part is Big Sean explaining why he is happy.
Overall, this album is an essential rap experience that everyone should have. It contains many life lessons.
Better Me Than You is Big Sean’s first album since 2020. It was long overdue. It is the rapper’s sixth album. At 36 years old, he has established himself as a household name in the industry who doesn’t have to prove things to anyone anymore. He has come a long way since being discovered by Kanye in 2005.
Big Sean’s musical journey began in 2011 with Finally Famous, but it truly evolved in 2012 with Hall of Fame, a personal favorite. His music has continued to grow and change, making each album a unique experience.
His new project is nothing short of revolutionary. Its 21 tracks are all you need to prepare and set your mind for the Fall. It is now your time to get on a different cycle.
