Hall of Fame received generally positive reviews from critics. The album debuted at number three on the USBillboard 200, selling 72,000 copies in its first week. As of February 2015, the album has sold 155,000 copies in the United States.
On September 27, 2012,Big Sean announced the title of his second studio album would beHall of Fame: Memoirs of a Detroit Player, and announced a release date of December 2012.[1] Sean stated that he chose the title because it represents himself. He also said that he feels "like situations are really going to be relatable to people."[2] Shortly afterwards, he stated that he "didn't want to just do another club song",[3] and that he did not want to follow the popular music standards. "This is just what the fuck I want to do. Some people are going to like it. Some people are going to hate it; regardless, I'm just doing me."[4] Sean also said thatHall of Fame would be a far more inspirational and a more conceptually-driven project than his debut album. He went on to say he wanted to teach and make a lasting impact on peoples' lives with this album.[5] Soon after, in an interview withPower 105, Sean stated he would includeskits on the album to give it a "classic feel". Also indicating that the song "Mula", which featuresFrench Montana from the mixtapeDetroit, could be featured as a deluxe edition track.[6]
Sean also said that the album would feature all types of songs, and everyone that had heard the album at that point in December 2012, had been "blown away" by it, includingKanye West,No I.D. andJ. Cole.[7] The single "Clique" fromGOOD Music's albumCruel Summer, was originally supposed to be featured onHall of Fame.[8] Starting the year, the album was included on multiple "Most Anticipated Albums of 2013" lists, including those byMTV, magazineXXL, who ranked it fourth, andComplex, which placed it eleventh.[9][10][11]
No I.D. (left) was the album's primary record producer andKanye West (front) was the album's executive producer.
Early in the album's recording process, Sean revealed that Kanye West,Nas,Tyga,Common andJhené Aiko were going to make appearances as featured artists, while West, No I.D.,Key Wane,Hit-Boy andYoung Chop will provide production on the album.[3][4][12] He would later confirmguest appearances fromMiguel,Kid Cudi and other members of GOOD Music.[13][14] In an interview withTim Westwood on November 28, 2012, he revealed thatEminem had invited him to come to the studio, along with announcing that he had renamed the album fromHall of Fame: Memoirs of a Detroit Player to justHall of Fame.[15] On March 12, 2013, along with revealing a slew of songs on the album, Big Sean stated there would be songs featuringLil Wayne,Juicy J and2 Chainz on the album. He also revealed that he worked with DJ Camper, DJ Mano,Da Internz and Rio on the album production wise.[15]
Sean finally had a studio session with Eminem on April 26, 2013, that also includedRoyce da 5'9" andMr. Porter.[16][17] On June 8, 2013, Big Sean spoke withMTV News about his almost full day studio session with Eminem, promising a potential final product and labeling it a "Detroit classic", but was not sure whether it will appear onHall of Fame or on Eminem's upcoming eighth studio album.[18] However, he would explain that Eminem was too busy working on his album to get onHall of Fame.[19]
During July 2013, Sean revealed thatEllie Goulding would be featured on the album.[20] During a listening session the following month, he revealed additional guest appearances on the album would come fromNicki Minaj,Jeezy and Doughboyz Cashout.[21] In August 2013, Big Sean toldRolling Stone that the album was primarily produced by No I.D. and Sean's childhood friend Key Wane, with Kanye West having a much smaller presence on the album then Sean's debut album.[19] The final track listing contained guest appearances from Ellie Goulding, Lil Wayne, Jhené Aiko, Nas, Kid Cudi, Nicki Minaj, Juicy J, Jeezy, Payroll of Doughboyz Cashout,James Fauntleroy, Miguel, 2 Chainz,Meek Mill,Earlly Mac,Pharrell Williams and Common.[22]
To garner anticipation for the album, Big Sean released the mixtapeDetroit on September 5, 2012. The mixtape was composed of previously unreleased songs. It featured guest appearances from fellow rappers J. Cole, Juicy J,King Chip, French Montana, Royce da 5'9",Kendrick Lamar, Tyga,Chris Brown,Wale andWiz Khalifa, along with track narrations by Common, Jeezy andSnoop Dogg. Production was provided by Hit-Boy, Da Internz,Lex Luger and Key Wane.[1]
In the months before the album's release, Big Sean has gone on to release a handful of inspirational video blogs that touch on how he's gotten to where he's at in his career and what he plans on doing to further his position in music.[7] Hisvlogs have featuredcameos from Kanye West, 2 Chainz,Pusha T, Common, No I.D.,Rita Ora,Trey Songz, Wale, Wiz Khalifa,Lupe Fiasco,Teyana Taylor andT-Pain, among others.[23] Starting on February 23, 2013, Sean began a European tour in promotion of the album that continued until March 13 of the same year.[24] On September 28, 2013, Sean released a 23-minute documentary covering the development and making of the album, which begun 269 days before the project's release.[25]
After initially announcing a December 18, 2012, release date for the album, it was revealed that the album would be pushed back to February 2013, because it was not ready yet.[1][6] However, the album's release date was yet again delayed. At the beginning of February, Sean stated that the album was almost finished, and that the second single would be released that month. He revealed an expected release date of June 2013.[14] Then on June 22, he released a video onYouTube where he previewed one of the songs, "Nothing Is Stopping You", and announced a final release date of August 27, 2013, for the album.[26] A little over a month later, Sean revealed the standard and deluxe edition album covers via hisInstagram.[27]
RapperLil Wayne made a guest appearance on the album's third single "Beware".
On October 6, 2012, in an interview discussing the album, Sean revealed that the first single would be released within the next ten days.[3] He later added that the song "ain't no turn-up song. I wanted to do something a little bit different. I wanted to do some shit that I really was inspired by, something that strikes an emotional chord in people." Later that day, he tweeted that he decided to hold back on the emotional songs for a bit and would release the single "Guap" instead.[38] It was then released on October 26, 2012.[39] The song was produced by Key Wane and Young Chop.[40] The song peaked at number 71 on the USBillboard Hot 100.[41]
The second single, "Switch Up", was announced along with its artwork by Big Sean on April 5, 2013, and shortly after the audio was premiered.[42] The single featured fellow rapper Common, while the production was handled by Mano and No I.D.[43] The song was released fordigital download the following day.[44] The song peaked at number 50 on the US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs.[37]
The album'slead single, "Beware", featuring rapper Lil Wayne and singer Jhené Aiko[45] became digitally available on June 25, 2013.[45] On August 16, 2013, the music video was released for "Beware".[46] The song peaked at number 38 on theBillboard Hot 100.[41] A low quality version of the song "Fire" leaked online on July 29, 2013, which resulted in Big Sean releasing the full version later that day.[47][48] Then four days later, the music video starring singerMiley Cyrus was released for the song.[49] "Fire" was released on August 20, 2013, as the album's fourth single.[50]
"Ashley", which features R&B singer Miguel, impactedurban contemporary radio in October 2013[51][52] as the album's fifth overall single, becoming the most-added song to urban radio on theNielsen BDS chart in the week following its release.[53] On January 31, 2014, Big Sean released the music video for "Ashley". Luke Tedaldi ofXXL described the video as dark, intense and "undeniably dope".[54] On August 30, 2013, the music video was released for "10 2 10".[55]
Hall of Fame was met with generally positive reviews. AtMetacritic, which assigns anormalized rating out of 100 to reviews from professional publications, the album received anaverage score of 72, based on 14 reviews.[56]
Kyle Anderson ofEntertainment Weekly positively compared the album to the late 1990s releases byBad Boy and said that Big Sean easily outshines all the featured artists on the album.[59] AtUSA Today, Edna Gunderson called this, an "outstanding second album" that he "occasionally stumbles" in an effort that is a "smart set of slick club thumpers, tear-jerkers and introspective yarns."[65] Jon Dolan ofRolling Stone commented saying, "The Detroit MC gets over on congeniality and crisp delivery, even when his lyrics are pro forma." He also praised the album's production.[62] AtThe Oakland Press,Gary Graff noted that "Hall of Fame is still a solid, confident and diverse set that shows how much he's grown as both an MC and a writer since 'Finally Famous' came out in 2011."[61] Andrea Aguilar ofHipHopDX summarized the album stating, "As a whole, the feel-good album's set of eclectic beats doesn't disappoint, but it lacks diversity. Most of Sean's content still teems with predictable material risking leaving listeners disinterested. Random skits also slightly interrupt the flow of the album, but if you're looking for motivational music centered on the money, the cars, the clothes and hoes, this album is sure to get plenty of replays on your iPod and local radio stations alike."[67]
Evan Rytlewski ofThe A.V. Club said, "Hall of Fame doubles down on the carefree spirit of its predecessor. The mood is so consistently upbeat and agreeable that nearly everything works, especially the tracks that pair Sean with a strong singer."[58] Eric Diep ofXXL commented that, "Hall of Fame moves along at a steady pace for the most part," but there are instances where the album is less than consistent. Concluding that, "even these minor shortcomings don't supersede the fact that the album is filled with radio-friendly cuts and compelling storytelling."[66] David Jeffries ofAllMusic said, whileHall of Fame provides plenty of vibrant, sexual, exciting moments, the "classic feel" that was intended is "nowhere to be found."[57] Erin Lowers ofExclaim! commented that, "WhileHall of Fame escapes the dreaded sophomore curse, it doesn't do so unscathed. [...] Big Sean may not have solidified his position in the rap hall of fame, but is certainly in the process of paving his way."[60] David Turner ofSpin said, "Kanye'sMy Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy is an immediate parallel to this album of relationship struggle and soul-searching, and while Sean obviously lacks his mentor's star power or ambition, he shows more heart than he typically gets credit for."[64] Jesal Padania ofRapReviews called the individual tracks distinct, big and bold, while the album remains consistent. However, said that the album lacks any classic material.[68]
The album was ranked at number 16 onXXL's list of the best albums of 2013.[69]Complex placed the album at number 50 on their list of the best albums of 2013, saying that "It's fitting that he and Kendrick had that moment on "Control," becauseHall of Fame clearly owes some sort of debt toGood Kid, M.A.A.D City. K-Dot opened up a space for rap to do that, or at least reminded folks of the sorts of thingsPete Rock & CL Smooth used to do with the art form. Before hearingHall of Fame, the title sounded pretentious. After hearing it, it's clear that Sean is ready to earn his place."[70]
Hall of Fame debuted at number three on the USBillboard 200, selling 72,000 copies in its first week.[71] This became Sean's second US top-ten debut.[71] That was also a 17% decline in sales from his debut studio albumFinally Famous, which also debuted at number three on the chart and sold 87,000 copies in its first week. David Drake ofComplex named the album an example of asophomore slump.[72] In its second week, the album dropped to number 24 on the chart, selling an additional 18,000 copies.[73][74] As of February 2015, the album has sold 155,000 copies in the US, according toNielsen SoundScan.[75] On October 25, 2017, the album was certifiedgold by theRecording Industry Association of America (RIAA), for combined sales andalbum-equivalent units over 500,000 units in the United States.[76]
"Freaky" and "Milf" contains a sample of "The Sensuous Black Woman Meets the Sensuous Black Man", written byRudy Ray Moore, and performed by Rudy Ray Moore andLady Reed.
^"Big Sean Hall of Fame".RapReviews. Flash Web Design Exclusive. September 3, 2013.Archived from the original on January 13, 2014. RetrievedSeptember 7, 2013.
^"The 25 Best Albums of 2013".XXL. December 23, 2013. Archived from the original on February 26, 2014. RetrievedJanuary 1, 2014.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
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