6.
Big Sean
Dark Sky Paradise
Producers: Kanye West, Vinylz, DJ Mustard, Mike Will Made It, DJ Dahi
G.O.O.D. Music/Def Jam
Big Sean needed a defining album. Since 2012, when he found his footing with his Detroit mixtape and scene-stealing contributions to G.O.O.D. Music’s Cruel Summer album, Sean had been experimenting both sonically and lyrically, and not quite hitting his mark. On Dark Sky Paradise, Sean figured it out in surefire manner. His lead single, “Blessings,” found him besting Drake and Kanye West, and he notched one of the biggest hits of his career with “IDFWU,” which, for the first time, wasn’t Sean making an obvious reach for Top 40 (two instrumentals, a profane title, and E-40 doesn’t sound like a guraantee of anything, chart-wise). With several tribulations of note to speak on—failed engagements, the health of his family, negative reviews—Sean made Dark Sky Paradise his diary come to life, and a refreshing reminder of why he was touted as one of the bright young starts in Hip Hop years ago. There’s reason to believe the Detroit native has a classic album in him.