Finally Famous
by Big Sean
  • Record Label: Def Jam
  • Release Date: Jun 28, 2011
Metascore
69

Generally favorable reviews - based on 20 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 20
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 20
  3. Negative: 1 out of 20
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  1. Entertainment Weekly
    Aug 10, 2011
    83
    His debut is a charming start, chronicling his journey from pauper to hip-hop prince. [1 Jul 2011, p.74]
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  2. DJ Booth
    Aug 4, 2011
    80
    No doubt about it, Finally Famous is full of good music.
  3. Okayplayer
    Jul 21, 2011
    80
    Finally Famous boasts enough bouncy beats and catchy hooks that he should have no problem landing a follow up on the charts. Still, the album falls short of establishing him as an artist of a magnitude to match his name.
  5. Pitchfork
    Jul 6, 2011
    61
    Ultimately, Sean's a likable character.
  6. AllMusic
    Jun 30, 2011
    80
    Fun, inventive, swaggering, and smart, Finally Famous is an exciting debut.
  7. Absolute Punk (Staff reviews)
    Jun 30, 2011
    74
    With brilliant production from the likes of No I.D., Kanye West, and The Neptunes as well as an amazing supporting cast of lyricists, Sean has crafted an exceptional debut album without losing the charm of his comparably solid mixtapes.
  8. Village Voice
    Jun 28, 2011
    80
    Finally Famous, which contains a handful of other tracks produced by No I.D. as well as collaborations with the likes of the Neptunes and Wiz Khalifa, is a slick triumph filled with muscular drums and rolling synthesizers.
  9. XXL
    Jun 28, 2011
    80
    Big Sean is justifiably basking in his moment on Finally Famous, oozing lyrically dexterous flamboyance over lighthearted production.
  10. RapReviews.com
    Jun 28, 2011
    65
    The beat/choruses are impressive enough, and whilst it's doubtful you'll be bumping Finally Famous a year from now, it's an album with merits that avoids the curse of the opening tweet, and sets Big Sean up pretty nicely for the next phase.
  11. Boston Globe
    Jun 28, 2011
    70
    Underneath the bravado is some heart. Unfortunately there are throwaways.
  12. The New York Times
    Jun 28, 2011
    70
    Big Sean is a clever but convictionless rapper, full of snappy punch lines that he's clearly impressed with.
  13. HipHopDX
    Jun 28, 2011
    80
    The final product is a solid debut that shows enough of Sean's skill and personality to keep listeners stay tuned, with the room for growth for higher expectations next time around.
  14. Rolling Stone
    Jun 28, 2011
    70
    Finally Famous is a choice summertime rap rec­ord, complete with bright, breezy synth beats and cameos from Chris Brown and Mr. West himself. Prom King or not, Sean's clearly the life of the party.

Awards & Rankings

63
#63 Most Discussed Album of 2011

User Reviews

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User Score
6.0

Mixed or average reviews- based on 90 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 47 out of 90
  2. Mixed: 23 out of 90
  3. Negative: 20 out of 90
  1. AtlantaGirl
    Sep 21, 2011
    10
    OMG, I loved this album!!! Big sean is great!!! The songs are so catchy and his voice is amazing. He is definitely not just a cute face. I'mOMG, I loved this album!!! Big sean is great!!! The songs are so catchy and his voice is amazing. He is definitely not just a cute face. I'm officially a Big Sean fan.… Full Review »
  2. STRONGBONES
    Aug 8, 2011
    7
    Review: Finally Famous - Big Sean Big Sean goes for it all to show everyone that he is a serious contender in the rap scene with his 2011Review: Finally Famous - Big Sean Big Sean goes for it all to show everyone that he is a serious contender in the rap scene with his 2011 album Finally Famous. The young MC from Detroit has the radio in a buzz over the bouncing beats and catchy hooks. It is easy to say that his career has only began and that will definitely last.  I first gave in to the hype and observantly listed to his cameos in Kanye's Good Friday weekly singles. After listening carefully I could truly admitting that he has truly talented flow. That convinced me to listen to his  Finally Famous Vol. 3  mix tape. It had its moments, so that led me to finally listen to for the first time on his long-awaited and fully hyped  Finally Famous album.

    The albums starts of with â    … Full Review »
  3. Duces1
    Jun 28, 2011
    10
    This is album is a great debut album for this young emcee, it has lyricism (Much More), wordplay (I Do It), mainstream songs (My Last), PartyThis is album is a great debut album for this young emcee, it has lyricism (Much More), wordplay (I Do It), mainstream songs (My Last), Party Songs (Marvin Gaye & Chardonnay) and surreal songs (Memories). This album is definitely for the summer and he was nowhere to go but up… Full Review »
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