• Record Label: Def Jam
  • Release Date: Jun 28, 2011
User Score
6.0

Mixed or average reviews- based on 90 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 47 out of 90
  2. Negative: 20 out of 90
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  1. Apr 18, 2020
    10
    An album full of gorgeous No I.D. production, quirky wordplay & charismatic flows reminiscent of Kanye, and it holds lyrical intengrity despite being extremely commercially friendly. A pop rap classic.
  2. Jul 23, 2014
    7
    Finally Famous is a thoroughly enjoyable album to listen to, despite many imperfections. The production was upbeat and high quality throughout, however the features are hit-or-miss. Also, the lyrics hold Big Sean back from being a more exciting young rapper. He's more talented than the radio-friendly hooks and self-absorbed lyrics would suggest.. After listening to this album, I'd view BigFinally Famous is a thoroughly enjoyable album to listen to, despite many imperfections. The production was upbeat and high quality throughout, however the features are hit-or-miss. Also, the lyrics hold Big Sean back from being a more exciting young rapper. He's more talented than the radio-friendly hooks and self-absorbed lyrics would suggest.. After listening to this album, I'd view Big Sean's ceiling as an upper-echelon pop rapper along the lines of Wiz Khalifa or Drake. ~ 6.5/10 ~ with deluxe tracks: 6.3/10

    Best track: "Wait For Me" ft. Lupe Fiasco: The production, the flow, the emotion, and a Lupe Fiasco verse adds up to the only elite song on this album.
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  3. Jul 18, 2013
    9
    All songs were great. Solid classical beats. Good rhymes. Amazing freshman album. Expect a lot out of Big Sean on Hall of Fame. He'll be one of the greatest when it's all said and done.
  4. Feb 7, 2012
    7
    Big Sean definitely started his career on the right note with this album. It may not be the best ever made, but it definitely put everyone on alert and made us realize this guy's for real!
  5. 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'm officially a Big Sean fan.
  6. 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 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 observantlyReview: 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
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  7. Jul 10, 2011
    8
    This album is definitely a mainstream success fit for summer. The overall mood is very happy and thankfull. I think the greatest thing about Big Sean is how humble he is, he truly loves his fans as much as they love him and on this album he basks in the moment. Not a perfect debut, very feature heavy, on many songs the mixing/mastering is off, and lyrically this is just average for SeanThis album is definitely a mainstream success fit for summer. The overall mood is very happy and thankfull. I think the greatest thing about Big Sean is how humble he is, he truly loves his fans as much as they love him and on this album he basks in the moment. Not a perfect debut, very feature heavy, on many songs the mixing/mastering is off, and lyrically this is just average for Sean compared to his mixtapes, but you can't deny the fun and happiness this album creates. And hey that's what life is about right? Expand
  8. Jul 2, 2011
    8
    Some expected better of Big Sean's debut on his newest and first album, Finally Famous, but in my opinion... it's great. While some of the songs on the album sound like typical rap songs, the majority maintain solid beats. Actually, some of the best beats to fill and album I've seen to date. To put it simply, Big Sean has just started, and he already has a great future ahead of him.
  9. Jun 30, 2011
    8
    This is one of the best mainstream-sounding albums to come out this year. At the very minimum, make sure you download "Wait For Me"--definitely one of the best tracks I've heard in a while.
  10. Jun 29, 2011
    10
    This was a great album Sean displays strong verses the beats are incredible and you can really hear the joy of the artist's in his songs. The album is about him overcoming hardships and finally getting to what he claims to be as the utmost success of his life. Almost every song is good except Dance (A$$) but overall great debut album.
  11. Jun 29, 2011
    7
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. http://cviewsonmusic.wordpress.com/
    About two weeks ago, Big Seans debut album Finally Famous: The Album leaked online and like many in the music community who donâ
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  12. 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), Party Songs (Marvin Gaye & Chardonnay) and surreal songs (Memories). This album is definitely for the summer and he was nowhere to go but up
Metascore
69

Generally favorable reviews - based on 20 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 20
  2. Negative: 1 out of 20
  1. Dec 6, 2011
    50
    Finally Famous is sporadically fun but adds nothing to the ongoing evolution of hip hop, in the mainstream down.
  2. 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]
  3. Aug 4, 2011
    80
    No doubt about it, Finally Famous is full of good music.