I Decided.
by Big Sean
  • Record Label: Def Jam
  • Release Date: Feb 3, 2017
User Score
7.0

Generally favorable reviews- based on 114 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 77 out of 114
  2. Mixed: 31 out of 114
  3. Negative: 6 out of 114
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  1. JustinHowell
    Mar 22, 2017
    9
    Big Sean is one of the most underrated rappers out right now. He's far too often dismissed as generic, however he has a certain level of emotional intelligence that makes its way into his lyrics that other rappers just don't, and I've always appreciated that. In fact, I've always seen him as one of the most talented rappers out, and was really looking forward to this album... and goddamn,Big Sean is one of the most underrated rappers out right now. He's far too often dismissed as generic, however he has a certain level of emotional intelligence that makes its way into his lyrics that other rappers just don't, and I've always appreciated that. In fact, I've always seen him as one of the most talented rappers out, and was really looking forward to this album... and goddamn, he came through. If I had to use one adjective to describe the album it is 'Masterful'. The way he weaves ideas together to make a broader point is nothing short of mind blowing, and the main purpose of the album is a noble one: to encourage people to live their life in a way so that they do not end up regretting the way that they lived their life when they're older, whatever that entails. This includes striking a balance between working and enjoying yourself, and being open to relationships while also having the self respect to not allow people to mistreat you, both in the platonic and romantic fields of relationships. (These are extremely valuable sentiments coming from a guy, since most of that type of valuable rhetoric in music is made by and directed towards women.) Most of all though, the albums champions appreciating and expanding on your blessings in life, and recognizing that there are movements that are bigger than yourself that you need to be a part of... and what makes this album great is not just the broad idea, but the individual punchlines and verses and songs and individual artistic choices, that when woven together make his ultimate point, (which is to live so that tomorrow you don't regret what you did today), and do so in an incredibly potently and again... masterfully... It's not perfect, though. There's occasionally the cringe worthy punchline, and a couple of weak spots, but for the everything he does right, and the gold that is 97% of the album, I have to say that this, in my opinion, has the potential to go down as one of the greatest hip hop albums of all time, point blank. It obviously has to age a little before it can officially get that title, but this is a phenomenal album, and unquestionably one of the best of this decade, and for me, the best of the year so far.… Expand
  2. ebert
    Feb 8, 2017
    8
    While this isn't the groundbreaking album that will put Sean into that superstar tier, led by his peers (Kendrick/Drake), this is undeniably his best and most cohesive work to date. There are definitely some special moments on this project and adept rapping and storytelling ability is on full display. So while fans may have been expecting Sean to finally have his breakthrough moment,While this isn't the groundbreaking album that will put Sean into that superstar tier, led by his peers (Kendrick/Drake), this is undeniably his best and most cohesive work to date. There are definitely some special moments on this project and adept rapping and storytelling ability is on full display. So while fans may have been expecting Sean to finally have his breakthrough moment, instead we get a very thoughtful and confident sounding body of music that is much welcomed at the start of 2017. This is an exceptional project that highlights Big's continuous progression and brings him one step closer to joining Hip-Hop's elite. Right now he is pretty much knocking on the door and with a second chance at it all, the future has never looked brighter for the always hungry Big Sean. Underdog no more.… Expand
  3. qwerty1010
    Feb 8, 2017
    5
    Very Average. Big Sean doesn't make bad music by any means, but he doesn't make anything special or memorable. This album would have been better if you replaced Big Sean with Drake.
  4. RXH
    Feb 9, 2017
    10
    Perfect. Captures human emotions in the best way possible. A very memorable album for me. It's good to see music with a good story become popular. The production is top notch and the hooks are very catchy. You will find songs off of this album stuck in your head all day.
  5. bigsean555
    Feb 9, 2017
    10
    This album gave me courage within my own life and struggles, it helped me to stay strong. Thank you for your contribution Big Sean
    A lot of stuff has happened in my life especially 2016 to the beginning of this year and this album just reminded me to push forward through the good and bad to reach my end goal and destination..
  6. Music_Observer
    May 16, 2017
    7
    It began as a pleasant surprise of well-written lines and interesting rhythm, but there was a rather large hole in substance left unfilled when the music tried to become more serious, which requires a lot of perseverance from the listener to get through. My Score: 119/180 (Good) = 6.6/10
  7. thedaywalker
    Feb 20, 2017
    6
    Very mediocre, specially for Big Sean's quality, the very slow pace of the song's didn't help hi at all this time, while all the best songs are when the beat is strong, like Bounce Back, No Favours and my personal favourite Voices In My Head/Stick to the plan, it's not atrocious, but i'm sure Big Sean can do better
  8. yeezus13
    Feb 12, 2017
    7
    This is your typical Big Sean album; good, listenable music, but nothing new or outstanding. Sean continues to be consistently average, but this does seem to be his best album to date.
  9. MR_headphones
    Jun 18, 2017
    5
    i like big sean but god can he be cheesy. he has an insane flow and a dull delivery that usually sounds cool over some beats with meh content

    intro: doesn't count light: 5/10 actual decent content but boring in every other way bounce back: 5/10 i never want to hear this song ever again no favours: 5/10 weirdly weird jump out the windows: 6/10 sucky hook good verses good beat moves:    i like big sean but god can he be cheesy. he has an insane flow and a dull delivery that usually sounds cool over some beats with meh content

    intro: doesn't count
    light: 5/10 actual decent content but boring in every other way
    bounce back: 5/10 i never want to hear this song ever again
    no favours: 5/10 weirdly weird
    jump out the windows: 6/10 sucky hook good verses good beat
    moves: 4/10 underwhelming
    same time pt.1: 4/10 why is there no part 2
    owe me: 5/10 i don't get the hate
    halfway of the balcony: 3/10 the bordem
    voices in my head: 2/10 bordem
    stick to the plan: 4/10 forgettable but good outro
    sunday morning jetpack: 4/10 crap beat
    inspire me: 5/10 forgettable
    sacrafices: 6/10 quavo killed the momentum
    bigger than me: 4/10 forgettable

    41.3/100

    but i'll give it a light 5 most of the album is just boring or forgettable with more singing or slow rapping than faster style raping what big sean is known for meshing into a meh

    worst: voices in my head, halfway of the balcony
    best: sacrafices, jump out the window    … Expand
  10. tommy1607
    Apr 16, 2017
    5
    I'm far from a Big Sean fan, and was yet to like any of his previous projects going into 'I Decided'. As a result I wasn't particularly excited about this project and I don't really think there is much to be excited about on this. Sean's flaws remain that his lazy delivery is painful to listen to, his lyrics are bland and uninteresting and he still has a tendency to drop the most cringeI'm far from a Big Sean fan, and was yet to like any of his previous projects going into 'I Decided'. As a result I wasn't particularly excited about this project and I don't really think there is much to be excited about on this. Sean's flaws remain that his lazy delivery is painful to listen to, his lyrics are bland and uninteresting and he still has a tendency to drop the most cringe worthy of lines. However, this album is still the best Big Sean album that he has released as of yet, the beats are decent and there are some decent songs such as 'Bounce Back' and 'Sacrifices'. Overall, Sean remains a fairly uninteresting rapper but this album is a mild improvement on his previous work.… Expand
  11. Jensen67
    May 23, 2017
    4
    I was really expecting and hoping to like this album more than I do. There are some good songs on here but some of the songs just seem overly corny and when you dive into some of the individual lines even more so *cough* Jump Out the WIndow *cough*

    Best songs: Light / Bounce Back / No Favors
  12. KripBop
    Jul 4, 2017
    10
    this album has flaws plus its not seans best 2015s dsp is his best but this beats hall of fame and takes sean to a whole other level of maturity plus i belive he went more trap and hip hop here gd songs like bounce back and no favors talk abt his struggle coming at top and his status plus wht he believes being goat is other songs were gd i personally loved sacrifices the content on thtthis album has flaws plus its not seans best 2015s dsp is his best but this beats hall of fame and takes sean to a whole other level of maturity plus i belive he went more trap and hip hop here gd songs like bounce back and no favors talk abt his struggle coming at top and his status plus wht he believes being goat is other songs were gd i personally loved sacrifices the content on tht moves was gd but decent lyricsnothing too great for me its gd no aoy but worthy of being gd in his catalog also can break him from underrate status… Expand
  13. FruitJuice
    Jul 18, 2017
    7
    good album............................................................................................................................................................
  14. MacsMusic
    Oct 2, 2018
    7
    Big Sean's I Decided follows a new trend that many secular rappers have been adopting; making music with a message. The Big Sean on this album is almost a completely different person than than the Sean that released Dark Sky Paradise just two years earlier. "Light" is about the goodness in the world, and how the bad things can't harm the goodness. "Sunday Morning Jetpack" is an easygoing,Big Sean's I Decided follows a new trend that many secular rappers have been adopting; making music with a message. The Big Sean on this album is almost a completely different person than than the Sean that released Dark Sky Paradise just two years earlier. "Light" is about the goodness in the world, and how the bad things can't harm the goodness. "Sunday Morning Jetpack" is an easygoing, pleasant personal blast to the past for Sean. "Inspire Me" is a tribute to Sean's mother, in which Sean gives her praise for all the ways she loved and inspired him.

    Now, it would be wrong to think that all Big Sean wants is to preach positivity and noble messages. ""Bounce Back," "No Favors," "Window," and "Moves" are either your typical "I'm the greatest, don't mess with me" or shallow relationship love songs. "Bounce Back" and "Moves" objectify women, treating them like toys for pleasure rather people. These objectifying lyrics contradict with noble verse on "Halfway"; "When it comes to girls, chemistry means way more than alchemy."

    Musically, the album has plenty of good stuff. "Bounce Back" is a banger, and "No Favors" is even better, with a killer chorus by Sean. "Window" has a pretty legit opening beat, and "Halfway" gets better and better as the song progresses. "Jetpack" is light, airy, and just feels good. "Inspire Me" has repetitive music, but is pretty solid. Lastly, "Light" is pretty legit, with an on-point guest-assisted chorus. Unfortunately, this album has flat-out not-good songs. "Moves," "Owe Me," and "Sacrifices" are basically filler songs, with dull, forgettable music and lame lyrics.

    When all is said and done, I Decided has lots of stuff going for it; plenty of solid lyrics and beats. It suffers from some outright flops, and some bad, generic lyrics, but as a whole is more good than bad.    … Expand
  15. skaylez
    Mar 25, 2018
    9
    Big Sean has a dope flow and his voice is smooth like butter and this album has a song for every mood. wack lines are becoming less frequent with sean
  16. All_ButTrU4
    Aug 25, 2022
    2
    listenable album, loaded with comfort-food hip-hop fit for booming club sound systems and earbuds on the subway alike. It’s also Sean’s most cohesive, personal work to date
  17. JACK15q
    Jan 3, 2020
    8
    One of the best rap albums of 2017. A lyrical/banger album masterpiece. Features are also good. Good flow. Can listen to this album anytime.

    Favorite track: Sacrifices
  18. Joffnatic
    May 27, 2022
    4
    Sleepy. Uninspired. Boring. It sounds like Big Sean decided to become the most average rapper ever, if I'm honest.

Awards & Rankings

66
#66 Most Discussed Album of 2017

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
67

Generally favorable reviews - based on 13 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 13
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 13
  3. Negative: 0 out of 13
  1. RapReviews.com
    Apr 24, 2017
    60
    His technique has a strong propensity towards predictable stream-of-consciousness rhyming.
    Read full review
  2. PopMatters
    Feb 21, 2017
    40
    So while tastemakers are spinning his records and partygoers are responding (though it should be noted, that the biggest response, unsurprisingly, came to “Bad and Boujee”), the actual act of getting through Big Sean’s latest album is a tiring one.
    Read full review
  3. Clash Music
    Feb 14, 2017
    70
    While it's undoubtedly a solid addition to Sean's catalogue, at the end of I Decided. it's the flows and instrumentals that are left with the listener, having upstaged what Sean is actually trying to say.
    Read full review
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