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The Big Day
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The Big Day Image
Metascore
71

Generally favorable reviews - based on 21 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
3.7

Generally unfavorable reviews- based on 325 Ratings

  • Summary: The debut full-length studio release for the Chicago rapper features guest appearances from Taylor Bennett, Francis And The Lights, Ben Gibbard, Gucci Mane, John Legend, Megan Thee Stallion, Shawn Mendes, Nicki Minaj, Smino and Justin Veron.

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 21
  2. Mixed: 10 out of 21
  3. Negative: 0 out of 21
  1. The A.V. Club
    Jul 29, 2019
    100
    The Big Day is a rare bouquet on full display; a stunningly realized array of color, sound, and sensation that swallows the room. Any structure at risk of pop cliché finds new life through Chance, whose mastery of composition creates spins on existing musical archetypes like new synaptic grooves being carved out for the very first time.
  2. Exclaim
    Jul 29, 2019
    90
    The Big Day has enough ideas, sounds and flows to justify its vast breath. What's more: it finally gives us a glimpse at Chance's multitudes, letting us accompany him to the altar and the confessional, instead of restricting him to the pulpit. (Independent)
  3. Sputnikmusic
    Aug 6, 2019
    80
    TBD, on the other hand, wrangles with value-laden mindlessness in a manner that is both fun and endearing. TBD succeeds, in other words, on the merit of its recontextualisation of current trends into a project that is equal parts soapbox and sellable product.
  4. Paste Magazine
    Aug 1, 2019
    68
    Even with all its bright spots—sunshine and Shawn Mendes and summers that “last forever”—The Big Day still doesn’t do all that much, especially in the shadow of classics like Acid Rap and Coloring Book. The Big Day is one neverending dad joke.
  5. Rolling Stone
    Jul 31, 2019
    60
    The Big Day contains about as much tonal variation as a leather-bound wedding photo album. Chance is more interested in celebrating the miracle of love than examining love’s warts, or the labor required to build and sustain a lasting marriage.
  6. NOW Magazine
    Jul 29, 2019
    60
    With 22 tracks over 80 minutes (including a few skits you’ll skip after the first listen), it’s way too long. It’s themed around Chance’s wedding to his longtime partner, Kristen Corley – a rite of passage that mirrors the “big day” of his debut album release. And like a wedding in which the priest’s sermon is getting in the way of the dinner buffet, you can really feel it drag.
  7. HipHopDX
    Jul 29, 2019
    46
    The fact that it’s 22 songs only highlights how disorganized the project is. There are some tracks that I actually like scattered throughout, but none that really compare to the best from his previous projects. His two mixtapes were also similarly eclectic, but these collaborations feel less exciting and more calculated. ... The Big Day will go down as one of the biggest disappointments in rap in recent memory, in no small part because Coloring Book was so great.

See all 21 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 34 out of 105
  2. Mixed: 17 out of 105
  3. Negative: 54 out of 105
  1. zSuchacritic
    Jul 27, 2019
    10
    just an overall slapper. chance doesn't try and do too much outside of what he already done, but thats saying a lot considering he hasjust an overall slapper. chance doesn't try and do too much outside of what he already done, but thats saying a lot considering he has expanded the genre past its limitations. his music is an artform; the type that may be seen as odd or unorthodox. but its these characteristics of his music, and more specifically this album, that allow for such an enjoyable listen.

    the "preachyness" of his music is what makes it unique. and in an era where hip-hop consists of an unhealthy amount of mumble rappers that drone on and on about the same things, that use the most basic of trap beats, and die out in less than a year (Lil Pump, Blueface, etc.) this album is both refreshing and joyful.    … Expand
  2. Miyagisama
    Aug 10, 2019
    9
    Every Chance project reflects where he is at in his life and this project is no different. I think the tracklist as well as a few unorthodoxEvery Chance project reflects where he is at in his life and this project is no different. I think the tracklist as well as a few unorthodox genre placements have activated the collective internet's negative hivemind, but if we're being honest, this album is sonically more appealing across the board than colouring book, Infact id put only Acid Rap ahead of 10 day. Chance has evolved as an artist and unfortunately his fanbase has not but there is no denying that there is something for everyone on this sprawling masterpiece in which chano has invited us to be a part of.… Expand
  4. the-airbud
    Jul 31, 2019
    8
    Evidently expectations were way too high for this. It's a good album, and people are going to start realizing that in a year or two when allEvidently expectations were way too high for this. It's a good album, and people are going to start realizing that in a year or two when all the buzz has died out. Just don't go into it expecting every song is going to be the best track Chance has ever made.… Expand
  5. Gravedigga13
    Jul 28, 2019
    3
    YBN released a better Chance the rapper album than Chance. On my first listen, i quit half way through, and had to force myself to finish theYBN released a better Chance the rapper album than Chance. On my first listen, i quit half way through, and had to force myself to finish the album next day.… Expand
  6. GregTehBunny
    Jul 27, 2019
    2
    I would prefer that Chance put out a tight album with a few excellent songs, but this album has no direction across its 22 tracks and someI would prefer that Chance put out a tight album with a few excellent songs, but this album has no direction across its 22 tracks and some embarrassingly bad songs like Hot Shower that sound like demos. This doesn't sound nearly as fun or energetic as Acid Rap and it's disappointing for Chance to put out a record that is this bloated and uninspired. What really struck me was how bad some of these verses and the general wordplay of this album is. The chorus of "Let's Go on the Run" sounds like the Simpsons gag about RHCP's lyrics; "What I'd like is I'd like to hug and kiss you".… Expand
  7. Boofboof
    Aug 1, 2019
    1
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. It's just so repetitive, obnoxious, and ugly. It is grossly, disgustingly happy, and it is so boring. Writing is God awful, and chance ruins his own album. Lastly, the features save songs on the album, bring it bright spots, but overall, awful. It is too long.… Expand
  8. SovirakchhaiS
    Sep 11, 2019
    0
    I think this is one of the worst rap albums of all time. I have no other explanations. Just watch theneedledrop's review on it, BLUCK!

See all 105 User Reviews

Awards & Rankings

19
#19 Most Discussed Album of 2019
15
#15 Most Shared Album of 2019

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