G.O.O.D. Music definitely has lived up to its name for a couple of years now. Founder Kanye West’s My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy was named the best album of 2010 by many, and the best in Mr. West’s career. Kid Cudi’s Man on the Moon II: The Legend of Mr. Rager, although receiving mixed reviews, was definitely a part of my Best Of list of the past year. Other artists, including John Legend and Common, have had explosive years, including Legends collaboration with The Roots, and Common’s “controversial” visit to the White House. But, in my opinion, G.O.O.D has been running laps around other labels (including Young Money).

Now, it seems like G.O.O.D is bringing out their ringer to shut the game down. Sean Anderson, also known as Big Sean, has been in the rap game for a while. Since 2007, Sean released three highly regarded mixtapes without putting out an actual full length. Now, after being delayed on numerous occasions, the album Finally Famous is out, but will it live up to the hype that he has made for the past four years?

Well, good news, it doesn’t disappoint.

Finally Famous is a lyrical breath of fresh air. Sean’s flow in each song (including the one minute and fifteen second intro) is invigorating, breaking down with metaphors and similes that range from X-Men to Family Guy. His monotone delivery reminds me of fellow rapper Drake, but his delivery is just like Mr. West. The artists that are featured on this album (Chris Brown, Lupe Fiasco, Kanye West, Roscoe Dash, Pharrell, John Legend, Wiz Khalifa, Chiddy Bang, The-Dream, Dwele, Rick Ross, and Pusha T) all have to step up their game in order to even compare to Sean’s lyrics and style (some do better than others).

The album starts out incredibly strong. “I Do It” is Big Sean’s version of “A Milli,” making witty rhymes of his uprising and some pretty entertaining references like “Play your cards right, and I could blow you up, no I ain’t Gambit.” “My Last” also has the same sort of feel, with Chris Brown crooning the chorus of living days like it is your, well, last. Sean and Kanye’s collaboration “Marvin and Chardonnay” is a more lyrically sound version of Waka Flocka Flame’s “No Hands” (even Roscoe Dash is on the track). “Dance (A$$)” took some time to get used to, but the Hammertime hook and his flow make this song great. My favorite, “Get It (DT)” is a successful piano ode featuring Pharrell, which has some of the wittiest lyrics on the album.

However, there are some small things that caught me up. Although Sean’s metaphors are great and flow is on point, some of the topics are just repeated too much. I know that he likes to drink and smoke (“High”), but it seems like he goes into that wheelhouse quite a bit. I know that it is almost a part of every rap album nowadays, but I wouldn’t mind a change in subject matter. Also, Sean likes to repeat himself a couple of times (“My Last” for example), but he more than makes up for it in later tracks.

Finally Famous is what this year has been missing in hip-hop: substance. Each verse comes out like a controlled frenzy, making listeners rewind just to get every metaphor that the young MC spits. Kanye should be proud; Big Sean is now set up for success and ready to carry G.O.O.D. on his back if he ever has to. The future is bright for Sean, and I cannot wait to see what he will follow this up with.

Final Grade: B+