Big Sean - 'Fire'

 American rapper Big Sean has recently released the music video for his song 'Fire', which features on his upcoming album 'Hall of Fame' due to be released nearer the end of August. Big Sean has alluded that he wants the lyrics and subsequent album to be 'relatable to people'. The song 'Fire' feels quite real - a quick listen to the lyrics will reveal that Sean has been through the fire so to speak; he raps that it 'has never been too late'. This is indeed relatable, and means that at least at a basic level, the lyrics have been thought through - this is less of a club heavy tune and more of something authentic and soulful.

The song is relatively catchy - it's not something you'd be humming on repeat but its not painful to listen to either. There is a certain calmness about the song which is comforting. Sean talks about his family, he seems to open up more in this song, which is indeed warming. However, the background chorus repeatedly sing 'fire' in the background, which can eventually grate on you after a while; although it serves to cement the name of the song in your head, the repetition can be irritating, like a broken record.

Interestingly, for the music video, Big Sean has chosen Miley-controversial-Cyrus to be the cover-girl. I can't help but think this is a desperate ploy to drum up more views and focus media attention on the song, which is apparently working.

The video, starting in black and white, shows Cyrus center-stage looking ominously at the camera. Big Sean claims he wants her to represent 'independent women...women overcoming different relationships' which is all well and good, but I can't help thinking Miley, again looks awkward here. She bites the end of her finger (in a desperate attempt to look sexy?) and it's all just not working for her. Cue her stripping to her underwear and flaunting the body that I think, frankly, we've seen enough of lately. Yes, she looks good, props to her, but we really don't need to see it all the time. Cyrus wanders about the scene in various skimpy outfits (tank tops, shorts) and it's all just a little pointless. If anything she doesn't look independent, she just looks lonely.


Random shots of a rose are included, without much explanation, which just adds to the confusion when infused with shots of Miley and her 'fro. I know it's supposed to be artistic and meaningful, (at least that's what I hope Sean was going for) but it just doesn't come together. Fans of Cyrus will clearly support this musical composition, but honestly, I expected more. What follows is a mixture of frankly hallucinogenic shots of Cyrus' colourful face, Cyrus hiding under a fur hood and more artistic shots of roses exploding and things burning. I'm sure there's some meaning, but if anything it feels hollow and commercial.

Ultimately, an underwhelming music video, for an actually okay song. It's unlikely to win any awards, but you could certainly do worse. Cyrus tries to show her less 'in your face' side, but frankly ends up looking awkward and the random integration of attempted artistic shots do her no justice.



Reviewed by Yaz.