It’s interesting to watch an artist’s growth from somewhat unknown to an international superstar. I vividly remember the first time I saw or even heard of Big Sean, as he was an opening act on a show for The-Dream in Detroit. And, you know how you usually do at a concert; you’re focused on the headliner and the opener is just background noise, BUT something about Big Sean made me pay attention. I bobbed my head and was intrigued, and decided then and there that I would pay attention and follow his career. So, here we are at the release of Detroit 2, Big Sean’s fifth solo album.

The album has several features but two particularly stand out for me; Nipsey Hussle on “Deep Reverence” and Stevie Wonder on “Story by Stevie Wonder”, both legends. On “Deep Reverence” Big Sean touches on many topics including the pressures of life, a miscarriage, and reconciliation with Kendrick Lamar. Stevie Wonder’s spoken word performance on “Story by Stevie Wonder” gives an insight on his upbringing in Detroit, neighborhood, and not being blind to the world.

Other guests include Post Malone, Ty Dolla $ign, Dwele, Anderson. Paak, Earlly Mac, Wale, Young Thug, Hit-Boy, Travis Scott, KeY Wane, Diddy, Lil Wayne, and Dom Kennedy.

There are two more spoken-word pieces from none other than Erykah Badu and Dave Chappelle. On “Story by Erykah Badu”, we hear of her love of Detroit, with a thank you to Berry Gordy for Motown, and the things that make Detroit music great and magic. Dave Chappelle gives us one of his great stories about meeting and smoking with Danny Brown and a show in Detroit where he bombed on "Story by Dave Chappelle". He remarks that Detroit is an adventure and it's alive, which we all know to be true; and the pep talk he received from Big Sean's dad after a less than great show.

This album also sees the return of Big Sean and Jhené Aiko as the duo, Twenty88 on “Time In”. It’s great to see them collaborate again in this way, since the release of the duo’s debut album in 2016. The song begins with an intro from the legendary Keith Sweat and features production from Mustard, KeY Wane, and Rogét Chahayed; discussing one of the most important parts of a relationship, time.

Big Sean teams up with Jhené Aiko again, along with Ty Dolla $ign on "Body Language". The song is a reworking of the Detroit CLASSIC "Soulful Moaning" by Shawn Harris. It is sure to inspire a new hustle or two, and as an update it really works, while keeping the essence of the original.

Another standout is “Friday Night Cypher” featuring a full roster of Detroit hitmakers in Sada Baby, Cash Kidd, Kash Doll, Boldy James, Eminem, Royce Da 5’ 9”, Payroll, 42 Dugg, Drego, and Tee Grizzley. The lyricism displayed in the 9 minutes and 28 seconds further solidifies Detroit’s in rap. And, with a sample from the Clipse clasic “Grindin’” it goes to the next level.

Detroit 2 definitley a love letter to detroit and with samples that speak to the city including “Gojira Tai Mosura” performed by Akira Ifukube from Godzilla vs. Mothra, the album is a tapestry. It is uplifting. It is inspiring. It is peace, and it is quintessentially Detroit.

Lionel Richie performs at DTE Energy Music Theatre in Clarkston, MI for the Hello Tour. (Marissa Pierce/Phashion Phish)

As an 80’s baby, I have my own copy of Lionel Richie's Dancing on the Ceiling. I can recall fondly his hosting of the American Music Awards where the entire night was, “outrageous”, and one of the very first concerts I covered was Tina Turner’s Twenty Four Seven Tour, that featured Richie. So, to see him again with the perfect sunset in the back ground of DTE Energy Music Theatre (still Pine Knob to me as said 80’s baby), well how else do you kick off your summer?!?

In one word, Lionel Richie’s Hello Tour is FUN! The energy and crowd can be nothing less, with every one up out of their seats dancing, singing along, and cruising down memory lane via song, the night just keeps getting better and better.

Richie started with “Running With the Night” sporting an updated satin styled band jacket, and the hits kept coming; along with great crowd interaction and witty banter! At one point Richie sipped on the “local juice” and joked with the men in the audience that their wives or girlfriends may have dragged them to the show, but he told them, “I’ll warm them up for you and you can take them home and close the deal.”

People were out of their seats for the majority of the 90 minute set, with the crowd full of a broad range of ages swaying to some of the slower hits like, “Penny Lover”, “Three Times a Lady”, and the perfect song for a Sunday night concert, “Easy”.

The Commodores fans in the crowd were also treated to a medley of jams including my all-time favorite and ringtone “Brick House”!

The jams continued with “Hello”, Say You, Say Me”, “We Are the World”, and a forever party starter, “All Night Long”.

Richie, who recently turned 70 years old mentioned that there were kids in the audience who had brought their moms or grandmothers (Me included), just showing the depth of his popularity, longevity, timelessness, and importance in the music industry. With a career that began with The Commodores, formed in 1968 and a solo career launched in 1982; with over 90 million records sold, four Grammy Awards, and a Golden Globe, we saw first hand on Sunday night why he is one of the best to ever do it. And, why he has all the hits.

You can keep up to date on all things Lionel Richie, including upcoming tour dates here.

Lionel Richie performs and interacts with the audience at DTE Energy Music Theatre in Clarkston, MI for the Hello Tour. (Marissa Pierce/Phashion Phish)

Detroit 2 is Here!

Lionel Richie Brings the HITS!