Hall of Fame
| Big Sean
Hall of Fame
Hall of Fame is the second studio album by American rapper Big Sean. It was released on August 27, 2013, by Def Jam Recordings and GOOD Music. Recording sessions took place from 2011 to 2013, at the variety of the recording studios; primarily in Los Angeles, California. The album features guest appearances from Nas, Jhen Aiko, Nicki Minaj, Kid Cudi, Lil Wayne, Jeezy, Meek Mill, 2 Chainz, and Juicy J, while the production on the album was primarily handled by Key Wane, Hey DJ, No I.D., Da Internz, Mano and Young Chop, among others. The album was supported by six singles: "Guap", "Switch Up", "Beware", "Fire", "Ashley" and "You Don't Know". Hall of Fame received generally positive reviews from critics. The album debuted at number three on the US Billboard 200, selling 72,000 copies in its first week. As of February 2015, the album has sold 155,000 copies in the United States.
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Critic Reviews
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Genius
There are too many songs that Sean just fell completely flat on, especially since a lot of these instrumentals provided plenty of opportunity for him to straight up go in. Most all of the features on this album outshined him as well, which is never good.
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Hot New hiphop
The final project is an uplifting yet pleasurable soundtrack for a ride through the streets of Detroit with its unofficial mayor providing the narration.
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Rolling Stone
It’s too bad: The Detroit MC gets over on congeniality and crisp delivery, even when his lyrics are pro forma.
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Sputnik Music
Behold, the hip-hop equivalent of cannon fodder!
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The Drop.fm
It seems Big Sean is still trying to prove himself. ‘Hall of Fame’ was delayed twice (once in December and the last time in February). Throughout the tracks ‘Nothing Is Stopping You,’ ‘Fire’ and ‘All Figured Out,’ you can find sensitivity, introspection and grit all at the same time. Though the latter comes less naturally to him.
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XXL Mag
Hall Of Fame moves along at a steady pace for the most part, but there are instances where Sean can’t quite find the proper footing.
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Iowa State Daily
For Sean, "Hall of Fame" has been his best project. His growth is eminent, and while lyrically Sean remains far from genius, he immerses himself in his grind and his goofiness, his two best subject matters.
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Respect Mag
It’s the world we live in, and for that, we’ve gotten Hall of Fame. It’s an average rap-record that’s going to produce 3-4 singles
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The World is bond
In some ways, Hall of Fame picks up where Finally Famous left off; we find Big Sean eschewing boom-bap traditionalism, eminently concerned with his own fame and grandeur, floating feather-light on hard-hitting synth beats, undeniably charismatic and upbeat but sporting a delivery only a little fiercer than oatmeal.
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Mind equals blwn
I shouldn’t be this upset and disappointed by this album. I really shouldn’t. I have never liked or respected Big Sean.
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Vibe
Never has an axed album cut eclipsed an entire album the way “Control” has overshadowed Big Sean’s Hall Of Fame. Yet for all of the hoopla surrounding the aforementioned mammoth rappity-rap track, Sean’s sophomore album is pretty damn impressive.
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The Quietus
Sure, there's inevitably some dodgy guest spots on the horizon for this bright young rapper, but he's setting himself up for the long game and, like other Detroit rappers, he'll no doubt have an eye on setting up a stable, pushing others into his spotlight. This might just be the birth of rap's newest superstar.
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Brent Music Reviews
All-in-all, Hall of Fame is easily one of 2013’s better rap efforts. It’s not perfect, and some of the end cuts lack the same punch as the elite earlier cuts, but for the most part, Sean does his thang. Sure he could tone down his inner freak (like a lot), but Big Sean suffers no drop off from album one.
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Rukus
Ultimately, Hall of Fame is a good album filled with catchy radio friendly songs.
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Exclaim
Needless to say, Big Sean may not have solidified his position in the rap hall of fame, but is certainly in the process of paving his way.
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AV Music
Big Sean’s sophomore album, Hall Of Fame, is all but certain to be best remembered for a song that didn’t make the final tracklist.
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hip-hop vibe
Hall of Fame continues the solid run of good music from Big Sean, but at this state in hip hop there are a lot of people making good music.
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Student Life
The combination of Nas and Kid Cudi is a powerhouse act that Big Sean can’t shine through. Overall, “Hall of Fame” is an entertaining but rather forgettable album.
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The Source
Rather than attempt to rap circles around an opponent invisible to everyone but himself, Big Sean takes a more deliberate route, delivering each bar, and subsequently, each verse with significantly more conviction.
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34th Street
Big Sean has managed to pull off one of the most graceful avoidances of a sophomore slump in a long time.
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Destroy the cyborg
However, if you want to listen to an album that has great beats, emotional connection, and something that can be replayed often, look no further than Hall of Fame
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Under the gun review
When all is said and done, Hall Of Fame is without a doubt one of the most enjoyable listening experiences of 2013.
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Passion of the weiss
There are a few moments that shine on Hall Of Fame, but they never last long enough to keep you interested.
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All Music
Fifteen cuts means this one is fat with an "f" and a bit too cumbersome to convert on first listen, but the sophomore slump this is not, meaning anyone who devoured Sean's debut should re-up with this one.
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Entertainment World
Then again, maybe he doesn’t need a team; Fame finds him rising above even his strongest guest stars. Maybe that’s the message of the album: In this fun-loving, hedonistic carnival, Sean is the barker in the center ring.
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HipHop DX
As a whole, the feel-good album’s set of eclectic beats doesn’t disappoint, but it lacks diversity.
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Pursuit of Dopeness
The dope production and simple hook makes it another early favorite on the new album.
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Jakobs Album Reviews
I think Big Sean is capable of releasing an album that isn’t mediocre or unmemorable, but he definitely didn’t achieve that with his second album, which I’d call a sophomore slump if it weren’t just as poor as his first album.
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Planet III
I don’t expect Hall of Fame to convert all of Sean’s naysayers into fans, but I think this album will sway some of the fence sitters.
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Rap Dose
Pros: At least we have new Big Sean music? Cons: Nothing memorable; Unoriginal and Feels Forced. Detroit mixtape should’ve been the album.
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KHQ Today
Despite a few songs on Hall of Fame falling short, Big Sean avoids the sophomore slump with a great album.
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Bennett Knows
In my opinion, I believe that this album successfully achieved Big Sean’s number one goal of inspiring and while the record will definitely please fans and critics alike, I believe that Big Sean will have more iconic projects that will set him apart in the near futur
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MTSU Sidelines
BIG SEAN STARTS STRONG BUT ULTIMATELY DISAPPOINTS ON ‘HALL OF FAME’
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Strawberrykisses and lamusique
No hating or anything Sean tried w/this album but the problem with it is that at times he tends to sound a bit confused on tracks and unsure of what he wants to do.
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Good Kid, Ratchet City
Hall of Fame is better than his debut album, Finally Famous, but it's still far from classic.
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A healthy medium
Like I said, that attitude speaks volumes as to the level Hall of Fame is on, it was by no means terrible, but could have seen a little more creativity and consistency.
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The lyrical lab
For this to have been the album that he finally feels like he wanted, in a way it still feels rushed to me.
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Creative Dream
Hall of Fame is a collection of hits and misses, and nowhere near as good as Sean thinks it is, but it’s not horrendous either.
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Stash
Hall of Fame tributes lyrical growth and staying humble, as a celebratory collective that solidifies his up and coming, and the fine sculpting of craft.
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Soul Head
Big Sean had lofty expectations for Hall of Fame. That’s not the issue at hand. The problem here is the execution. If he diversifies his subject matter and chooses production that fits well with his frail voice, then perhaps his next album might actually be considered a contender for the hip-hop hall of fame.
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YCMC
Ultimately a very well put together album, another great release to add to Sean’s discography.
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