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.
Dark Sky
Big Sean Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I got a lot on my mind, I got more in my face
If I ain't going to get it, that day is going to waste
I'm tryna move in my safe, like the safe was a safehouse
I ain't going out to eat, but these hoes stay on the stakeout
And you know it's official when I go bringing that Bape out
I'm thumbing through the magazines like "this the girl I'mma take out"
And yeah, your music been bumping and you just waiting to break out
And I've been waiting all God damn year, all year
I can tell that it's near, but near ain't here
Man, them bills is here right now
I guess you shine brightest when the lights down, like now
And then they say it happened for me overnight, shit, yeah I guess
I guess it took ten years for me to be an overnight success
What you know about living check to check to living check to check to check to check?
First place, no neck and neck
Two girls is breast to breast to breast to breast
Blowing smoke but I'm a breath of fresh air
Yeah, saying I'm doing extra numbers like I'm Chinese
Taking double shots like Siamese
I'm from where crime breeds, her titties out like sign these
I knew I lived this life back when I was young and used to climb trees
I should've known back then I wasn't gonna stop
'Cause even then I was infatuated with just sitting at the top
I said I should've known back then, man, that I wasn't gonna stop
'Cause even then I was infatuated with just sitting at the top
And I don't owe nobody in the world no favors
I started from the basement, made it to the skyscrapers
I'm a successful nigga, I got shit going on
I'm a successful Don, I got shit going on
And I don't owe nobody in the world no favors
I started from the basement, made it to the skyscrapers
I'm a successful nigga, I got shit going on
I'm a successful Don, I got shit going on
Bitch, watch how you speak to me
I've been working all week and I know I need ZZZZs
Tryna get paid repeatedly
Jamaica or Cancun, now that's where I need to be
Credit card used to be EBT, in the D though that's D-EBT
I be thinking about becoming a cop
So I can murk some niggas one by one off legally
I talk that real shit, but that's why they loving it
One time for the city, treating it like it's the mother ship
Was talking to my dad though on some other shit
He like "man, slow down with the girls you're fucking with
If they ain't a quarter back, there's no point of rushing it
Don't make the same mistakes I made with your mother"
But that's on some other shit, look
I'm into risk and taking it
I'm into making it then back then make it like I ain't made it yet
This the rehab for a workaholic, I been thinking bout shaking it
I done had a Rolex longer than I had relationships, I'm embarrassed to say that shit
But I've been working on myself and that's the most important work
Even if you don't get paid for it
Shit, call me the greatest
Don't call up no favours, I call up my saviour
Like thank you God, look at all we created
I started rapping Biggie Smalls in the basement
And now we headed to the tallest skyscrapers
In the first verse of “Dark Sky,” Big Sean describes his surroundings and his ambition. He sees the skyscrapers in the distance and expresses his determination to reach the top. He acknowledges that he has a lot on his mind and in his face, but he is not going to let that stop him from achieving his goals. He wants to be secure and protected, like his valuable possessions in a safe. He also mentions that he is not interested in going out to eat or socializing with women who are only interested in him for his money. Instead, he is focused on finding the right person to spend his time with. He reflects on the struggles he has faced and the fact that he has been waiting for his chance to break out. He knows that he has bills to pay and gives the impression that the pressure is always on. Despite these challenges, he feels that he shines the brightest when the lights are down. He also acknowledges that it has taken him over ten years to get where he is today, despite the perception that he became successful overnight.
In the second verse, Big Sean continues to recount his journey to success. He reflects on the fact that he started from the basement and worked his way up to the skyscrapers. He acknowledges that he is a successful person with a lot going on, but he is not beholden to anyone. He has made it on his own and is proud of his accomplishments. He also discusses his need for rest and relaxation, expressing a desire to travel to Jamaica or Cancun. However, he also recognizes that he cannot stop working and must continue to push himself to be better. He discusses his personal growth and the fact that he has been trying to work on himself. He reveals that he has had a Rolex for longer than any of his relationships, which he is embarrassed to admit. He ends the verse by thanking God for his success and for all that he has created.
Line by Line Meaning
I see the skyscrapers in the back, this shit is official
The sight of skyscrapers confirms the official status of the singer's location.
I got a lot on my mind, I got more in my face
The singer is dealing with a lot on their mind and facing even more challenges.
If I ain't going to get it, that day is going to waste
Not making progress towards their goals is a waste of the singer's time.
I'm tryna move in my safe, like the safe was a safehouse
The artist is trying to make progress towards their goals while also staying secure and protecting their possessions.
I ain't going out to eat, but these hoes stay on the stakeout
The artist is not going out to eat, but they are being watched by women.
And you know it's official when I go bringing that Bape out
The use of the brand Bape signals the official status of the singer.
I'm thumbing through the magazines like "this the girl I'mma take out"
The singer is looking through magazines and planning to take a girl out.
Imagine stuck in the D and you tryna find a way way out
The artist has been stuck in Detroit and is trying to find a way out.
And yeah, your music been bumping and you just waiting to break out
The artist's music is getting attention and they are waiting for their big break.
And I've been waiting all God damn year, all year
The artist has been waiting patiently for a long time.
I can tell that it's near, but near ain't here
The singer can sense that they are close to achieving their goals, but they haven't gotten there yet.
Man, them bills is here right now
The artist is dealing with the immediate pressure of paying bills.
I guess you shine brightest when the lights down, like now
The singer feels that they are shining brightest when faced with challenges.
And then they say it happened for me overnight, shit, yeah I guess
The singer's success is sometimes attributed to it happening overnight.
I guess it took ten years for me to be an overnight success
The singer is aware of the hard work and time it has taken for them to achieve success.
What you know about living check to check to living check to check to check to check?
The artist is asking if the listener knows the struggle of living paycheck to paycheck and having to constantly worry about finances.
First place, no neck and neck
The artist is in first place with no competition.
Two girls is breast to breast to breast to breast
The singer is describing two women standing close together.
Blowing smoke but I'm a breath of fresh air
The singer is bringing something new and refreshing to the table, despite blowing smoke.
Yeah, saying I'm doing extra numbers like I'm Chinese
The artist is saying they are doing extra work, but using a stereotype of Chinese people.
Taking double shots like Siamese
The artist is taking double shots, using another reference to Siamese twins.
I'm from where crime breeds, her titties out like sign these
The artist comes from an area with high crime rates, and is describing a woman flashing her breasts.
I knew I lived this life back when I was young and used to climb trees
The singer knew they were meant for the life of fame and success when they were a child.
I should've known back then I wasn't gonna stop
The artist realized early on that they would never give up on chasing their dreams.
'Cause even then I was infatuated with just sitting at the top
The singer was always drawn to the idea of being at the top.
And I don't owe nobody in the world no favors
The singer does not owe anyone any favors.
I started from the basement, made it to the skyscrapers
The singer started from humble beginnings and has now achieved great success.
I'm a successful nigga, I got shit going on
The artist is successful and has a lot of things going on in their life.
I'm a successful Don, I got shit going on
The artist is like a boss with a lot of things going on in their life.
Bitch, watch how you speak to me
The singer is warning someone to be careful how they address them.
I've been working all week and I know I need ZZZZs
The singer has been working hard and needs sleep.
Tryna get paid repeatedly
The artist is trying to secure a steady income.
Jamaica or Cancun, now that's where I need to be
The artist wants to go on a tropical vacation.
Credit card used to be EBT, in the D though that's D-EBT
The artist used to rely on government assistance, but now they are able to use a credit card. However, in Detroit, this is still essentially just an electronic version of government assistance.
I be thinking about becoming a cop
The singer has considered becoming a police officer.
So I can murk some niggas one by one off legally
The artist is considering becoming a police officer so they can legally take out certain people.
I talk that real shit, but that's why they loving it
The singer is being appreciated for speaking the truth.
One time for the city, treating it like it's the mother ship
The singer is giving a shoutout to their city and treating it like it's their birthplace.
Was talking to my dad though on some other shit
The singer had a conversation with their father about something unrelated to their success.
He like "man, slow down with the girls you're fucking with"
The artist's father advised them to be careful with the women they're involved with.
If they ain't a quarter back, there's no point of rushing it
The artist's father told them not to rush into relationships that won't lead anywhere.
Don't make the same mistakes I made with your mother"
The singer's father advised them to learn from his mistakes in his own relationships.
But that's on some other shit, look
The singer is moving on to another topic.
I'm into risk and taking it
The artist enjoys taking risks.
I'm into making it then back then make it like I ain't made it yet
The artist likes making money and always wants to work hard as if they haven't made it yet.
This the rehab for a workaholic, I been thinking bout shaking it
The artist recognizes that they are addicted to work and have been considering taking a break.
I done had a Rolex longer than I had relationships, I'm embarrassed to say that shit
The singer feels ashamed that they have owned a Rolex watch for longer than they have been in any serious relationships.
But I've been working on myself and that's the most important work
The artist has been focusing on improving themselves, which they consider to be the most important kind of work.
Even if you don't get paid for it
Working on oneself is valuable even if it doesn't result in monetary gain.
Shit, call me the greatest
The singer considers themself to be the greatest.
Don't call up no favours, I call up my saviour
The singer is not going to ask anyone for favors, but instead relies on their faith and God to help them.
Like thank you God, look at all we created
The artist thanks God for the success they have achieved.
I started rapping Biggie Smalls in the basement
The artist began their music career by rapping along to Biggie Smalls while in their basement.
And now we headed to the tallest skyscrapers
The singer has gone from their basement to achieving great heights of success.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Matthew Samuels, Robert Harris, Sean Anderson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Andy Britton
Still gives me motivation after all these years. I keep coming back
THERUDDY ONE
aint been THAT many years... i was bumpin this 2018.. but you right about motivation
Andy Britton
7 years is a good amount of years bro
SKYSCRPRZ HD
Yesssirr
Tao Yang
Literally this!
YaYa the Goddess
💯💯💯‼️
CelineandMerlin
This song motivates me to hustle harder! I love Big Sean! One of the most talented and underrated rappers!
ShonaFair
"i been working on myself and thats the most important work, even if you dont get paid for it "
felt that in my blood and bones since freshman year
SACHIV
My favorite BIG SEAN ALBUM hands down!! This was a banger! People really sleeping on him.
""THUMBS UP IF YOU AGREE""
Derek Jesperson
More motivational than I think he thought it would be. 7 years and I’m still wanting to do better.