His debut album, Finally Famous, was released in June 2011 and featured guest appearances from hip hop superstars Kanye West, Chris Brown, Pharrell Williams, The-Dream, Wiz Khalifa, and Lupe Fiasco.
He was raised by his mother and grandparents who worked steadfastly to instill in him the principles of hard work and determination. Sean attended the Detroit Waldorf School, a school of art, from Kindergarten to 8th Grade where he was in 102.7FM, a local radio station in Detroit where he displayed his rhyming skills weekly. There, he met Kanye West after a radio interview in 2005 and got a chance to display his talent by freestyling for Mr. West, giving him a copy of his music and sending numerous tracks for him to critique. After months of submitting songs and numerous meetings, Sean finally got a call from Kanye West himself saying that he wanted to sign him. Two years later, West signed Big Sean to GOOD Music. Sean has cited West, Eminem, The Notorious B.I.G., and J Dilla as his influences.
On September 30, 2007, Big Sean released his first official mixtape Finally Famous: The Mixtape. His hit single, "Get'cha Some", produced by WrighTrax, attained media attention and led to articles in The Source and the Detroit Metro Times. He also recorded a music video for "Get'cha Some", which was directed by Hype Williams. Sean released a second mixtape hosted by Mick Boogie on April 16, 2009, called UKNOWBIGSEAN. It featured the songs "Million Dollars", "Get'cha Some" and "Supa Dupa". This mixtape includes 30 tracks. Sean released a third mixtape hosted by Don Cannon on August 31, 2010, called Finally Famous Vol. 3: BIG, which features include major artists like Bun B, Chip tha Ripper, Curren$y, Tyga, Drake, Mike Posner, Chuck Inglish, Asher Roth, Dom Kennedy, and Chiddy Bang. The mixtape includes 20 tracks.
Finally Famous, Sean's debut studio album, was released June 28, 2011, and spawned three hit singles; "My Last", "Marvin & Chardonnay" and "Dance (Ass)". The album featured guest appearances from Lupe Fiasco, John Legend, Pharrell, Kanye West, Roscoe Dash, Wiz Khalifa, Chiddy Bang, Rick Ross, Nicki Minaj, Pusha T, and included production from No I.D., The Legendary Traxster, Andrew "Pop" Wansel, Xaphoon Jones and The Neptunes. When the songs "O.T.T.R." and "Flowers" were leaked in July 2011, speculation began of a new mixtape. Sean confirmed in an interview on June 28, 2011, that a collaborative mixtape between him and "two other guys in hip-hop that are just killing it right now" will be released "in a couple of weeks". Wiz Khalifa and Curren$y were the suspected featured rappers on the mixtape. However, Wiz Khalifa later confirmed that there would be no mixtape, claiming that the songs were created, "just for fun".
In September 2011, Big Sean confirmed in an interview with the Daily Tribune that he'll be working on his second album during the I Am Finally Famous Tour and plans to release the album sometime in 2012. On October 19, 2011, Kanye West announced on his Twitter plans for a Spring 2012 GOOD Music album release. On April 6, 2012, "Mercy", the lead single from the GOOD Music compilation album, Cruel Summer, was released. The song, produced by newly signed in-house producer Lifted, features Big Sean along with Kanye West, Pusha T, and southern rapper 2 Chainz. Big Sean then announced his fourth mixtape would be titled "Detroit" and would serve as a lead-in to his second studio album. He then began promoting the mixtape, releasing short versions of the songs on his YouTube page. On September 5, 2012, Big Sean released the mixtape Detroit which features guest appearances from fellow rappers J. Cole, Juicy J, King Chip, French Montana, Royce da 5'9", Kendrick Lamar, and Tyga.
Big Sean pushed back the release date of his second studio album Hall of Fame which was eventually released on August 27, 2013. The album has skits to give it a "classic feel", and includes features from multiple artists, including Lil Wayne, Miguel, and Nas. The album's production was primarily handled by No I.D., and Key Wane along with additional production from Hit-Boy, Da Internz, Mike Dean, Travis Scott, Xaphoon Jones, and Young Chop among others. Big Sean also stated in an interview that he was in the studio with fellow Detroit native Eminem. Sean went on to say they made a "Detroit classic" but he is unsure if it will be on Hall of Fame because of "timing issues". Hall of Fame spawned five singles, "Guap", "Switch Up" featuring Common, "Beware" featuring Jhené Aiko and Lil Wayne, "Fire", and "Ashley" featuring Miguel.
A month prior to the release of Hall of Fame, Big Sean told Complex that he had already begun work on his third album due to the inspiration from his new relationship. On September 12, 2014, Big Sean announced that he had signed a management deal with Roc Nation. Later that same day he released four new songs titled, "I Don't Fuck with You", "Paradise", "4th Quarter" and "Jit/Juke". Producers for these songs include, Mike Will Made It, DJ Mustard, Kanye West, DJ Dahi, Nate Fox, Da Internz, L&F, and Key Wane. "I Don't Fuck with You" was released to iTunes on September 19, 2014. In an interview with Sway Calloway, Sean confirmed that Lil Wayne will be featured on the album.
In May 2012, Big Sean founded a nonprofit organization called the “Sean Anderson Foundation,” with the aim of helping underserved children and families in Detroit. Alongside direct donations to local institutions, primarily educational institutions, the foundation has created fundraising programs and partnered with other organizations. In 2016, the foundation launched #HealFlintKids to raise money for the Community Foundation of Greater Flint amid the Flint water crisis - the program raised $100,000.
In 2015, the foundation launched Mogul Prep, which partnered high school students with music industry professionals. During the same year, the foundation donated a recording studio for students at Big Sean's alma mater, Cass Technical High School. Beginning in 2018, the foundation has hosted an annual weekend festival, called D.O.N. Weekend, with free events and performances for Detroit residents and usually by Detroit artists. In December 2018, Big Sean in partnership with Ally Financial, Thurgood Marshall College Fund & the Sean Anderson Foundation, created an annual scholarship competition for HBCU students called “Moguls in the Making.”
On March 25, 2016, Big Sean released a track to celebrate his 28th birthday, "Get My Shit Together". Two days later he announced a self-titled album with Jhené Aiko, Twenty88, scheduled to be released on April 1, 2016, exclusively on Tidal. The album was released on April 5, 2016, on Apple Music and Spotify. A week after the exclusive release of Twenty88 on Tidal, Big Sean and Aiko released a 15-minute short film called Out of Love, which is composed of several recordings from the album. Around the same month, upon the wake of the Flint water crisis, Big Sean tweeted to the city's official Twitter account, asking if he could do anything to help, and later on donated $10,000.
On October 31, 2016, Big Sean released "Bounce Back" as the lead single from his fourth studio album, I Decided, which was released on February 3, 2017. "Moves" was released as an instant-great on December 16, 2016. Sean consulted the advice of Jay Z and Rick Rubin while working on the album. Big Sean achieved his second number-one album on the Billboard 200 chart, as I Decided debuted at the top. It earned 151,000 equivalent album units in the week of February 9, according to Nielsen Music. 65,000 of the amount was in pure album sales. As of April 18, 2017, I Decided was certified gold.
Two months after the release of I Decided, Big Sean was offered the official Key to the City of Detroit for his contribution to his own Sean Anderson foundation.
On November 3, 2017, Sean and Metro Boomin released the single "Pull Up N Wreck", featuring 21 Savage. A month later, it was announced that Sean and Metro were to release a collaborative album titled Double or Nothing. The album was released on December 8, 2017, and included features from Travis Scott, 2 Chainz, 21 Savage, Kash Doll, Young Thug, and Swae Lee, and included the single "Pull Up N Wreck".
On July 24, 2019, Big Sean released his first solo single since 2017 titled "Overtime", produced by Hit-Boy, Key Wane, and the Tucker Brothers. In an interview with Beats 1 Radio, Sean said he was "returning to his roots" with the single ahead of his forthcoming album. On July 26, he released the song "Single Again", which includes background vocals from Jhené Aiko and Ty Dolla Sign. On August 26, he released the single "Bezerk" featuring ASAP Ferg, performing it at the 2019 MTV Video Music Awards.
On March 25 (Big Sean's 32nd birthday), he announced that his new record would be titled Detroit 2. On August 25, he released the album's lead single, "Deep Reverence", featuring late rapper Nipsey Hussle. Detroit 2 was released on September 4, 2020, and features collaborations with Eminem, Jhené Aiko, and Lil Wayne. The album debuted at number one on the Billboard 200, marking his third number-one album.
On September 17, 2020, Big Sean revealed in a Reddit AMA that another Twenty88 album is "in the works". A track attributed to the project appeared on Detroit 2. He has also announced that he plans on launching his own record label. On October 29, 2021, Big Sean announced on Twitter that after 14 years, he has stepped away from Kanye West's G.O.O.D. Music label, saying "That's a forever brotherhood, but business-wise, I had to start getting a bigger cut! I worked my way out that deal." West also claimed during a November 2021 Drink Champs podcast that signing Sean was the 'worst decision' of his entire career.
Starting in 2020, Big Sean has appeared in the Showtime series 'Twenties' in a recurring role as Trsitan, an anti-social media character who learns the value of online connection. In October 2021, Big Sean, in collaboration with rapper and producer Hit-Boy released an EP entitled What You Expect.
In February 2022, Big Sean and singer Queen Naija released a single entitled "Hate Our Love". The song will appear on Naija's upcoming album. In that same month, Big Sean confirmed the Twenty88 album and revealed that the album would include a collaboration with his then-girlfriend, Jhené Aiko. In September 2022, Big Sean re-released Detroit to streaming platforms, in honor of its 10th anniversary.
In 2019, the foundation partnered with Boys & Girls Club of Southeastern Michigan, donating a second $100,000 recording studio to the club during that year's D.O.N. Weekend. Since 2012, the foundation has participated in the annual All-Star Giveback on Thanksgiving, where it distributes turkeys, trimming, and canned goods to Detroit residents.
In May 2021, Big Sean, via his Sean Anderson Foundation, released a video series on wellness and mental health. The series was released during Mental Health Awareness Month and featured a conversation between Big Sean and his mother, educator Myra Anderson, about the intersection between wellness and mental health, including topics like meditation, sleep, and emotional freedom techniques.
Bigger Than Me
Big Sean Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Look, all I wanna do is make the city proud, yeah
Wishing all the OGs could see me now, now yeah
And when you feel something you can't see
But you know it's meant to be
You gonna realize that this is bigger than me yeah
Bigger than me, bigger than me
That night you can't sleep
You gon' realize that this is bigger than me
Get it, get it, get it
I pray that you get it even if I can't get it with cha
I pray to God you never let the little
Things in life distract you from the bigger picture
Everybody in the city to me like a distant cousin, brother, little sister
I see myself in the young ones
When I look in their eyes it feel like a mirror
Corleone all on my own (Don)
Cartier all on my arm
All I hear is sirens and car alarms
Niggas going to war with no armor on
First time I seen a dead body I was 14
And I felt the pressure
Like if I don't get it, I might end up next to him
I'ma take the dice and I'ma roll a 7
Seven, seven, seven, 7-11 it's 911 getting called around
The hood America's lost and found
Where niggas get lost and never found
All I ever wanted was to turn these Gs into Ms and a Mercedes key
Got it and I still felt incomplete
That's when I realized this shit was bigger than me
Bigger than me
When the whole town on their feet
And they all just waiting on you to speak
That's when you realize that this is bigger than me
All I wanna do is make the city proud, yeah
Wishing all the OGs could see me now, now yeah
Ohhh ya ya yeah
Ohhh ya ya yeah
You gon' realize that this was bigger than me
Used to want that foreign
Got that foreign, now it's boring
Started touring
Swear to God that's when I realized this shit was bigger than me
Flash on niggas with the Rollie
Got that Rollie with the shine
But lost my time
That's when I realized this shit was bigger than me
I seen people in the same place 10 years later
Man that shit pathetic
God talking to me telepathic like it only happen if you let it
I can't spend my whole life looking at the same ceiling fan
When I feel like I ain't got no ceilings man
If I ain't special why I feel it then?
I gotta get on the road
I gotta be the one chose
I gotta come back and tell the greatest story they never told
This must be the feeling that you get when you know you close
And you know it's a way in even when the doors are closed
And realize this shit is bigger than me yeah
Bigger than me
When the whole town on their feet
And they all just waiting on you to speak
That's when you realize that this is bigger than me
All I wanna do is make the city proud, yeah
Wishing all the OGs could see me now, now yeah
Oh ya ya yeah
Oh ya ya yeah
Oh ya ya yeah
Oh ya ya ya ya ya ya ya yeah
Oh ya ya ya ya ya ya ya yeah
Oh ya ya ya ya ya ya ya yeah
Well no matter what, I'm proud of you
Even when you do stupid things that I have warned you about
You must get that from your daddy
I'm just kidding, you know I love you. You listening?
Yeah yeah, I'm listening. I love you too
In a way I feel like I'm living through you
Sometimes it feels like I got another chance at everything
Man that's deep to feel like that
I kinda feel the same way though sometimes
Yeah
With all the work that's goin' on I feel like
This is like my second time doin' it so I know that sound crazy but
You know I just I don't know why I always imagine myself as
Like someone who failed at everything he ever did at life
You know and I got to the end of life and just regretted it all and somehow
This is my chance to go back and get it all right
And when I wake up, with that in mind you know
It completely changes my hunger, how I approach the whole day
I mean you decide to live your life like that then pshh man
I guarantee we'll live life to our best potential
It's that simple. It's all about living in the moment. Period
The lyrics to Big Sean's "Bigger Than Me" are about the realization that individual success is not just about personal achievement, but making a difference in the community and creating a legacy. He wants to make his city proud and have the older generation see his accomplishments. He believes that there is a greater force guiding him and that his success is not just for him, but for his family and community who depend on him. He also acknowledges that he was once focused on material things but now understands that his success comes from a greater purpose. The lyrics reflect his journey of self-discovery and mindfulness towards his ambitions.
Sean's lyrics are evocative and profound as they provide a glimpse into his mind, aspirations, and experiences. The song shows that he is not only an artist but a writer who evokes emotions and expresses ideas with authenticity. The lines, "This must be the feeling that you get when you know you close, and you know there's a way in even when the doors are closed," are a testament to his determination and resilience. The lyrics that talk about family and community dependencies show that Sean is not just driven by personal success but making a positive impact.
Line by Line Meaning
Look, all I wanna do is make the city proud, yeah
I am determined to put on for my city and make everyone proud of me
Wishing all the OGs could see me now, now yeah
I want the older generation in my city to see and acknowledge my achievements
And when you feel something you can't see
Sometimes you have a strong feeling about something even if you can't see it
But you know it's meant to be
You instinctively feel that it must happen for a reason
You gonna realize that this is bigger than me yeah
I understand that what I am trying to achieve is bigger than just myself
Bigger than me, bigger than me
I am constantly reminded that my goals are larger than just what I want for myself
When the whole family depend on you to eat man
When everyone in your family depends on you financially, you feel the pressure to succeed
That night you can't sleep
The worry and pressure can lead to sleepless nights
You gon' realize that this is bigger than me
The weight of responsibility and pressure make me understand that my goals are bigger than myself
I pray that you get it even if I can't get it with cha
I hope that you achieve everything that I am unable to achieve myself
I pray to God you never let the little
I hope that everyday distractions never prevent you from pursuing your bigger picture
Things in life distract you from the bigger picture
I hope that you stay focused on your larger goals and never let small details take your attention away
Everybody in the city to me like a distant cousin, brother, little sister
I view everyone in my city as a family member even if I don't know them personally
I see myself in the young ones
I recognize my younger self in the eyes of the youth in my city
When I look in their eyes it feel like a mirror
I see my own struggles reflected in the lives of the young people I interact with
Corleone all on my own (Don)
I am self-reliant and feel like I have to succeed on my own
Cartier all on my arm
I have achieved some level of success but it doesn't mean I feel complete
All I hear is sirens and car alarms
The neighborhood I grew up in has constant danger and trouble
N****s going to war with no armor on
People in my community are fighting battles without proper resources or support
First time I seen a dead body I was 14
I was exposed to violence at a young age
And I felt the pressure
The experience created a lot of pressure to succeed and stay safe
Like if I don't get it, I might end up next to him
If I don't succeed I might end up a victim of the same violence
I'ma take the dice and I'ma roll a 7
I am willing to take risks to achieve my goals
Seven, seven, seven, 7-11 it's 911 getting called around
The line borrows from gambling and emergency services to express the high stakes of his situation
The hood America's lost and found
His perspective on his community's struggle is critical of America's failure to support it
Where n****s get lost and never found
People in the community go missing and nobody holds accountability
All I ever wanted was to turn these Gs into Ms and a Mercedes key
He had simple goals to be financially successful and to own a prestige car
Got it and I still felt incomplete
Even after achieving his goals he still feels unfulfilled
That's when I realized this shit was bigger than me
He understands that his goals are greater than his own psychological fulfillment
When the whole town on their feet
When everyone is looking at you and you are the center of attention
And they all just waiting on you to speak
When there is anticipation for what you have to say
That's when you realize that this is bigger than me
In these moments, he recognizes that his ambitions are not just for him but involve his whole community
Used to want that foreign
He used to have superficial materialistic goals
Got that foreign, now it's boring
Achieving his materialistic goals was not enough to be satisfied
Started touring
He achieved success in music and began touring to celebrate it
Swear to God that's when I realized this shit was bigger than me
Exposure to other realities through touring made him realize his work is about more than just himself or his community
Flash on n****s with the Rollie
Flaunting accessories has lost its appeal
Got that Rollie with the shine
Having a Rolex watch no longer feels impressive
But lost my time
He realizes that a lot of his time has been wasted pursuing superficial things
That's when I realized this shit was bigger than me
Once again, he acknowledges that his goals and work are bigger than just himself
I seen people in the same place 10 years later
He observes stagnancy in his community's residents
Man that shit pathetic
He thinks people's lack of progress is pitiful
God talking to me telepathic like it only happen if you let it
He feels like God is telling him he can overcome this stagnancy
I can't spend my whole life looking at the same ceiling fan
He is motivated to move on from his current situation
When I feel like I ain't got no ceilings man
He feels like he has no limits with what he can accomplish
If I ain't special why I feel it then?
He questions why he feels like he is capable of something only special people can excel at
I gotta get on the road
He knows he has to leave his current situation to truly succeed
I gotta be the one chose
He believes he needs to be the one to make the decision to move on
I gotta come back and tell the greatest story they never told
His success story will be a rare and admirable one in his community's history
This must be the feeling that you get when you know you close
He feels like he is near success
And you know it's a way in even when the doors are closed
He believes he will find a way through obstacles even if they seem insurmountable
And realize this shit is bigger than me yeah
He understands that he is just one agent of change in a larger movement for his community
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Peermusic Publishing, WORDS & MUSIC A DIV OF BIG DEAL MUSIC LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: AMAIRE JOHNSON, ANDREW THOMAS, BRITTANY TALI HAZZARD, JULIET ROBERTS, MOSES DAVIS, ROBERT HARRIS, SEAN ANDERSON, STEVE JEFFRIES, STEVEN MARSDEN, TOMMY BLAIZE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@StiinkyDraco
Do or die
Look, all I wanna do is make the city proud, yeah
Wishing all the OGs could see me now, now yeah
And when you feel something you can't see
But you know it's meant to be
You gonna realize that this is bigger than me yeah
Bigger than me, bigger than me
When the whole family depend on you to eat man
That night you can't sleep
You gon' realize that this is bigger than me
Get it, get it, get it
I pray that you get it even if I can't get it with cha
I pray to God you never let the little
Things in life distract you from the bigger picture
Everybody in the city to me like a distant cousin, brother, little sister
I see myself in the young ones
When I look in their eyes it feel like a mirror
Corleone all on my own (Don)
Cartier all on my arm
All I hear is sirens and car alarms
Niggas going to war with no armor on
First time I seen a dead body I was 14
And I felt the pressure
Like if I don't get it, I might end up next to him
I'ma take the dice and I'ma roll a 7
Seven, seven, seven, 7-11 it's 911 getting called around
The hood America's lost and found
Where niggas get lost and never found
All I ever wanted was to turn these Gs into Ms and a Mercedes key
Got it and I still felt incomplete
That's when I realized this shit was bigger than me
Bigger than me
When the whole town on their feet
And they all just waiting on you to speak
That's when you realize that this is bigger than me
All I wanna do is make the city proud, yeah
Wishing all the OGs could see me now, now yeah
Ohhh ya ya yeah
Ohhh ya ya yeah
You gon' realize that this was bigger than me
Used to want that foreign
Got that foreign, now it's boring
Started touring
Swear to God that's when I realized this shit was bigger than me
Flash on niggas with the Rollie
Got that Rollie with the shine
But lost my time
That's when I realized this shit was bigger than me
I seen people in the same place 10 years later
Man that shit pathetic
God talking to me telepathic like it only happen if you let it
I can't spend my whole life looking at the same ceiling fan
When I feel like I ain't got no ceilings man
If I ain't special why I feel it then?
I gotta get on the road
I gotta be the one chose
I gotta come back and tell the greatest story they never told
This must be the feeling that you get when you know you close
And you know it's a way in even when the doors are closed
And realize this shit is bigger than me yeah
Bigger than me
When the whole town on their feet
And they all just waiting on you to speak
That's when you realize that this is bigger than me
All I wanna do is make the city proud, yeah
Wishing all the OGs could see me now, now yeah
Oh ya ya yeah
Oh ya ya yeah
Oh ya ya yeah
Oh ya ya ya ya ya ya ya yeah
Oh ya ya ya ya ya ya ya yeah
Oh ya ya ya ya ya ya ya yeah
Well no matter what, I'm proud of you
Even when you do stupid things that I have warned you about
You must get that from your daddy
I'm just kidding, you know I love you. You listening?
Yeah yeah, I'm listening. I love you too
In a way I feel like I'm living through you
Sometimes it feels like I got another chance at everything
Man that's deep to feel like that
I kinda feel the same way though sometimes
Yeah
With all the work that's goin' on I feel like
This is like my second time doin' it so I know that sound crazy but
You know I just I don't know why I always imagine myself as
Like someone who failed at everything he ever did at life
You know and I got to the end of life and just regretted it all and somehow
This is my chance to go back and get it all right
And when I wake up, with that in mind you know
It completely changes my hunger, how I approach the whole day
I mean you decide to live your life like that then pshh man
I guarantee we'll live life to our best potential
It's that simple. It's all about living in the moment. Period
@Omgwhatsnext
This song is so underrated...song hits me hard
@ilyesbrahimi2422
Same here bro👌
@mahieshacrawford4799
Im surprised that he didnt get nominated for something, or win a award for something for this, the beat nd message was spot on from what real rap songbsuppose to sound like in me opinion
@ilyesbrahimi2422
@@mahieshacrawford4799 u know life sometimes ain't fair music industries sign mumble rap shitters they don't like somebody real cuz they know he kick da truth so he hurts them ... man big Sean is one of da best this time shout out to him
@mahieshacrawford4799
Ilyes Brahimi space my 😂
@ilyesbrahimi2422
@@mahieshacrawford4799 what r u laughing at ?? 😂😂😂
@psychodemon23
Bro, first time ever hearing this song. That ending snuck up on me and hit hard. Made me break down momentarily. It's powerful. Beautiful.
@LakerFan
Legendary track here.
@kahmarigreen5392
Fax
@josefsteiner9163
@@kahmarigreen5392 big faxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx