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.
Crazy
Big Sean Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Man I should've known, should've known, should've known
Should've known, should've known
Should've known that she was crazy than a muthafucker
(crazy, crazy, crazy)
She was crazy than a muthafucker
Man I should've known, should've known, should've known
Should've known that she was crazy than a muthafucker
(crazy, crazy, crazy)
She was crazy than a muthafucker
[Verse 1]
And God damn you all crazy ass
Wanna smash my Mercedes ass
Pokin' holes off in the condoms tryna have a baby ass
All up in Saks 5th when you deserve Macy's ass
Talkin' bout shit, yea nigga, better pay me ass
Bitch all up in my house and I ain't tryna room mate her
She in and out my drawers like its, like it's Room Raiders
She crazy and deranged, when she in the Range
Skip the jewelry store and grab rocks
Like she Tomb Raider (raider, raider)
But before you hit that Alter
And the preacher start pronouncin'
Gave her half your heart but she got half of your amount
Of whatever's in your account
So take that into account
And you best get to countin'
Before you gets to bouncin'
Bitch
[Chorus]
Man I should've known, should've known, should've known
Should've known, should've known
Should've known that she was crazy than a muthafucker
(crazy, crazy, crazy)
She was crazy than a muthafucker
Man I should've known, should've known, should've known
Should've known, should've known
Should've known that she was crazy than a muthafucker
(crazy, crazy, crazy)
She was crazy than a muthafucker
[Verse 2]
Crazy, man I must be crazy too
Cuz crazy as she is I could'nt leave her if ya paid me to
I swear I goes to work on that pussy like she paid me to
D-d-dick her up and now she walkin' like she 82
(I like the you you do it)
She get it from her mama
Headaches every night a nigga get it from the drama
Man if she don't make that money, she gon' take that money
Not from you, yeah she get it from your Honor
Believe that, fuck you get my password?
Readin' through my emails and you ain't even ask first
I know I should leave her
For damn sure don't, don't need her
Everytime I try and hit the door I always hit that ass first
[Chorus]
Man I should've known, should've known, should've known
Should've known, should've known
Should've known that she was crazy than a muthafucker
(crazy, crazy, crazy)
She was crazy than a muthafucker
Man I should've known, should've known, should've known
Should've known, should've known
Should've known that she was crazy than a muthafucker
(crazy, crazy, crazy)
She was crazy than a muthafucker
In the song "Crazy" by Big Sean, the artist tells a story about a woman who he knew was crazy but stayed with her anyway. The chorus repeats the phrase "should've known" multiple times, suggesting that he was aware of her craziness from the start. The first verse paints a picture of a woman who is financially motivated and trying to trap Big Sean by poking holes in condoms and trying to have his baby. She also has expensive taste, seeking out luxury items at Saks Fifth Avenue instead of Macy's. The second verse reveals that Big Sean may also be a bit crazy for staying with her, as the sex is too good to walk away from. He references her mother as the source of her craziness and suggests that she is also money hungry, willing to take money from anyone she can. Despite his better judgment, Big Sean always ends up staying with her.
The lyrics of "Crazy" paint a picture of a toxic relationship where both parties are aware of the dysfunction but can't seem to break away. The repetition of "should've known" in the chorus emphasizes the idea that Big Sean knew this woman was crazy from the beginning but didn't act on his better judgment. The first verse highlights the woman's materialistic and manipulative tendencies, while the second verse shows that Big Sean is also drawn in by her sex appeal.
Line by Line Meaning
Man I should've known, should've known, should've known
I should have realized that something was off with her from the beginning
Should've known, should've known
It was clear that she was not stable
Should've known that she was crazy than a muthafucker
It was obvious that she was extremely insane
(crazy, crazy, crazy)
Repeating the idea that she was crazy
And God damn you all crazy ass
She was overwhelmingly insane
Wanna smash my Mercedes ass
She wanted to destroy valuable things
Pokin' holes off in the condoms tryna have a baby ass
She was trying to trap him by getting pregnant without consent
All up in Saks 5th when you deserve Macy's ass
She had expensive taste and didn't appreciate what she had
Talkin' bout shit, yea nigga, better pay me ass
She was manipulative and demanding
Bitch all up in my house and I ain't tryna room mate her
She was overbearing and wouldn't leave him alone
She in and out my drawers like its, like it's Room Raiders
She was snooping through his things without permission
She crazy and deranged, when she in the Range
She acted erratic when in expensive vehicles
Skip the jewelry store and grab rocks
She took things that didn't belong to her
Like she Tomb Raider (raider, raider)
She acted like a character from a video game who steals and causes chaos
But before you hit that Alter
Before getting married
And the preacher start pronouncin'
During the wedding ceremony
Gave her half your heart but she got half of your amount
He gave her his love and trust, but she took advantage of him financially
Of whatever's in your account
He's referring to his bank account
So take that into account
Consider that before making any big decisions
And you best get to countin'
He needs to check his finances and make sure she hasn't taken more than she should have
Before you gets to bouncin'
Before breaking up with her
Crazy, man I must be crazy too
He acknowledges that he's not thinking clearly by staying with her
Cuz crazy as she is I could'nt leave her if ya paid me to
He's addicted to her, despite her being insane
I swear I goes to work on that pussy like she paid me to
He's sexually attracted to her and has a hard time resisting her
D-d-dick her up and now she walkin' like she 82
He's saying he has sex with her so vigorously that she can barely walk afterwards
(I like the you you do it)
This line refers to a popular YouTube video that uses this phrase
She get it from her mama
Her behavior is inherited from her mother
Headaches every night a nigga get it from the drama
He's saying that he experiences stress and anxiety from her behavior
Man if she don't make that money, she gon' take that money
She'll do whatever it takes to get money, even if it means stealing or being dishonest
Not from you, yeah she get it from your Honor
She's saying that she's getting money legally, perhaps from a court case settlement
Believe that, fuck you get my password?
He's accusing her of trying to hack into his personal accounts
Readin' through my emails and you ain't even ask first
She's violating his privacy by reading his emails without permission
I know I should leave her
He's aware that he should break up with her
For damn sure don't, don't need her
But he can't seem to bring himself to do it
Everytime I try and hit the door I always hit that ass first
He's saying that he's sexually attracted to her and can't resist her, despite her being crazy
Contributed by Alexis D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Mr. Odessa
Sad this never made major airplay
I am Superblack
TheInternationalPragmaticAlpha - aka Mr. Odessa boy what you say
Brandon Henry
This was my shit in high school
Dewey Cox
Man this hit home way 2 hard
QWERTY
2022 still going crazy
therealimlikewoa
2020 and this still goes lol
John Doe
@Stevie B November 19th 2021 still a banger
Stevie B
2021 and beyond
K_dotNET
Music video was even better good times
cameron wiggins
tryna be a famous rapper is hard man