| What You Expect | ||||
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| Released | October 29, 2021 | |||
| Length | 18:54 | |||
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| Big Sean chronology | ||||
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| Hit-Boy chronology | ||||
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| Singles from What You Expect | ||||
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What You Expect is a collaborative extended play by American rapper Big Sean and American record producer Hit-Boy. It was released through Big Sean's own label, FF to Def, and Def Jam Recordings on October 29, 2021. The EP features guest appearances from Bryson Tiller, Lil Durk, Babyface Ray, and 42 Dugg. Production was mainly handled by Hit-Boy on every track along with side help from G Dav, Oz, Jesse Blum, Rogét Chahayed, Don Cannon, G. Ry, Bryvn, PittThaKid, and Ace G. It was supported by the release of one single, "What a Life", the closing track, which was released exactly a week prior to the release of the EP.
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |    [1] |
Background and promotion
Big Sean and Hit-Boy have extensively collaborated before the release of the EP. On October 28, 2021, both artists announced the EP, with Sean admitting that he planned to release only one single the same day as the EP was released, but decided to release five songs, which would be part of an EP.[2] The tracklist was revealed hours later.[3] The two artists released the closing track, "What a Life", on October 22, 2021, with a music video.[4]
Track listing
All tracks are written by Sean Anderson and Chauncey Hollis, Jr., with additional contributors noted.
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Chaos" | Hit-Boy | 3:00 | |
| 2. | "Into It" | Greg Davis |
| 3:10 |
| 3. | "The One" | 2:26 | ||
| 4. | "Loyal to a Fault" (featuring Bryson Tiller and Lil Durk) |
| 4:03 | |
| 5. | "Offense" (featuring Babyface Ray and 42 Dugg) |
| 3:15 | |
| 6. | "What a Life" |
| 2:58 | |
| Total length: | 18:54 | |||
Notes
- ^[a] signifies an additional producer.
- ^[b] signifies a co-producer.
- "Into It" features uncredited additional vocals from Nas.
- "The One" contains samples from "You're the One", performed by SWV.
Personnel
Musicians
- Big Sean – vocals (all tracks), songwriting (all tracks)
- Hit-Boy – production (all tracks), songwriting (all tracks)
- G Dav – production (tracks 2, 5), songwriting (tracks 2, 5)
- Jesse Blum – horn (track 1), additional production (tracks 3, 5), songwriting (track 5)
- Oz – production (track 3), songwriting (track 3)
- Coko – songwriting (track 3)
- Tamara Johnson-George – songwriting (track 3)
- Leanne Lyons – songwriting (track 3)
- Andrea Martin – songwriting (track 3)
- Ivan Matias – songwriting (track 3)
- Allen Gordon – songwriting (track 3)
- Bryson Tiller – vocals (track 4), songwriting (track 4)
- Lil Durk – vocals (track 4), songwriting (track 4)
- Rogét Chahayed – additional production (tracks 4–6), songwriting (tracks 4–6), keyboards (tracks 4–6)
- Don Cannon – co-production (track 4), songwriting (track 4)
- G. Ry – co-production (track 4), songwriting (tracks 4, 6), production (track 6)
- Bryvn – co-production (track 4), songwriting (track 4), bass (track 4)
- PittThaKid – co-production (track 4), songwriting (track 4)
- Ace G. – co-production (track 4), songwriting (track 4)
- Babyface Ray – vocals (track 5), songwriting (track 5)
- 42 Dugg – vocals (track 5), songwriting (track 5)
- Carter Lang – additional production (track 6), keyboards (track 6)
Technical
- David Kim – mixer (tracks 1–3, 5, 6), recording engineer (tracks 5, 6)
- Colin Leonard – mastering engineer (tracks 1–6)
- Tom Kahre – recording engineer (tracks 1–4, 6)
- Michael Miller – assistant recording engineer (tracks 1, 4)
- Gregg Rominiecki – mixer (track 4)
Charts
| Chart (2021) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| US Billboard 200[5] | 76 |
| US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard)[6] | 41 |
References
- ^ Kellman, Andy (October 29, 2021). "What You Expect Review". AllMusic. Retrieved April 23, 2022.
- ^ "Big Sean and Hit-Boy Team-Up for New EP 'What You Expect'". Complex. October 29, 2021. Retrieved November 7, 2021.
- ^ "Big Sean and Hit-Boy Reveal 'What You Expect' EP Tracklist". Rap-Up. October 28, 2021. Retrieved November 7, 2021.
- ^ "Big Sean & Hit-Boy Reflect On Success On "What A Life"". HotNewHipHop. October 22, 2021. Retrieved November 7, 2021.
- ^ "Big Sean Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved November 8, 2021.
- ^ "Big Sean Chart History (Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved November 9, 2021.
