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.
Dreams
Big Sean Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I always heard life was a pair of dice
Seven eleven, or a pair of eyes
As I'm looking at her smearing eyes
She yelling take them glasses off your eyes are the only things that not lying
Not caring to the point that I stopped lying
I tell her I feel the same
She tell me nigga quit playing you the only one that's not crying
If I broke it off now we won't be on some friend shit
Man, what goes around comes around like some ceiling fan shit
I broke the levy to your eyes
That I don't give a damn shit
Another time, another time, it's the same old shit
It might be to late, for me to learn from my mistakes
I know that it hurts, I know that it hurts you
But you should have used your head first
This might be the biggest mistake, it's too late
Because two can't be in first place
Wake up then, call your ex and make up then
What was no strings attached got tangled when
Fun stopped being fun, and feeling tried to finagle in
We had that independent love, you tried to bring a label in
Girlfriend? Nah, I already got one
You need a good guy, and I'm already not one
She said we lost a kid already, I'm already not that young
My biological clock is ticking, I'm not just trying to have fun
Shits way different from us first chilling
Sometimes last words can have the worst ending
Which we could fast forward time and reverse feelings
Is there a warranty for love to return and fix it
She said you good either way, when it was her last night nigga and me today
You the man, huh getting on the tna
You fucking her raw too, sharing our DNA?
And so on and so on, and the shit just always goes on
Nothing about us feeling right
But she'll be back before the end of the night
Another time, another time, it's the same old shit
It might be to late, for me to learn from my mistakes
I know that it hurts, I know that it hurts you
But you should have used your head first
This might be the biggest mistake, it's too late
Because two can't be in first place
In "Sellin Dreams," Big Sean collaborates with Chris Brown to explore the themes of love, betrayal, and trust. The song talks about the consequences of not being truthful in a relationship and the hurt that comes from it. In the first verse, Big Sean describes his experience of being in "hell's paradise" while being with a woman who is not trustworthy. He compares life to "a pair of dice" where one rolls the dice and hopes to get lucky in love or simply have good eyes that can see through lies. However, the woman he's with seems to be hiding something, and he can see it in her eyes. She urges him to take off his glasses as they are the only things that are not lying, implying that he is avoiding the truth. In the end, they reveal that they feel the same way, but she's the only one that is crying.
As the song continues, the chorus repeats the line "another time, another time, it's the same old sh*t," highlighting the cyclical nature of their relationship problems. Big Sean admits that he has made mistakes in the past, and it might be too late for him to learn from them. He acknowledges that his actions have hurt the woman he loves, but at the same time, she should have used her head before getting into the relationship. The second verse discusses the temptation of giving into a physical relationship despite not wanting a committed one. The woman in question is portrayed as someone who wants to label their relationship as girlfriend and boyfriend, but Big Sean has already committed to someone else. The situation is complicated because it's revealed that they lost a child together, and the woman's biological clock is ticking. The verse ends with a question about the possibility of going back in time to fix things.
Overall, "Sellin Dreams" is a song about being true to oneself and others in a relationship. It shows the consequences of hiding one's true intentions and emotions, and the hurt that can come from it. It also explores the complicated nature of relationships, and how difficult it can be to move forward after mistakes have been made.
Line by Line Meaning
Welcome to hell's paradise
Life is full of challenges and obstacles that can make it feel like hell.
I always heard life was a pair of dice
Life is unpredictable and involves taking chances, just like rolling dice.
Seven eleven, or a pair of eyes
Life can be a game of luck or a test of vision and perception.
As I'm looking at her smearing eyes
The artist is observing someone who is emotional and crying.
She yelling take them glasses off your eyes are the only things that not lying
The person is accusing the artist of being untruthful and wants them to show their true emotions.
Not caring to the point that I stopped lying
The singer has become apathetic and no longer feels the need to lie or pretend to care.
I tell her I feel the same
The singer claims to empathize with the other person's emotions.
She tell me nigga quit playing you the only one that's not crying
The other person is calling out the artist's lack of true emotions and accusing them of pretending.
You said you wasn't on no steal your man shit
The artist is claiming they didn't have any romantic or deceitful intentions towards someone else's partner.
If I broke it off now we won't be on some friend shit
If the artist ends things now, the relationship won't even work as a friendship.
Man, what goes around comes around like some ceiling fan shit
Karma will come back around in a cycle, like a ceiling fan that keeps turning.
I broke the levy to your eyes
The artist caused the other person to cry and become emotional.
That I don't give a damn shit
The singer doesn't care about the other person's emotional response.
Another time, another time, it's the same old shit
The singer has been through similar situations before and history is repeating itself.
It might be too late for me to learn from my mistakes
The singer may not learn from their past mistakes in time to prevent future harm.
I know that it hurts, I know that it hurts you
The artist acknowledges that their actions have caused the other person pain and distress.
But you should have used your head first
The artist is deflecting blame onto the other person, suggesting they should have known better or been more cautious.
This might be the biggest mistake, it's too late
The singer recognizes that their past choices have led to a potentially catastrophic outcome, and it's too late to fix it.
Because two can't be in first place
Two people cannot both be in the No. 1 spot or get what they want, someone has to lose out.
Wake up then, call your ex and make up then
The artist is suggesting that the other person should reconcile with their former partner and move on from the current situation.
What was no strings attached got tangled when
A relationship that was initially casual and uncomplicated has become complicated and emotionally entangled.
Fun stopped being fun, and feeling tried to finagle in
The enjoyment and lightheartedness of the relationship has dissipated, and deeper emotions have become involved.
We had that independent love, you tried to bring a label in
The two people initially had a relationship that was free from societal norms and expectations, but one person wanted to define and label the relationship.
Girlfriend? Nah, I already got one
The artist already has a girlfriend and has no interest in making the other person their official partner.
You need a good guy, and I'm already not one
The singer acknowledges that they are not a good person or the right fit for the other person's needs.
She said we lost a kid already, I'm already not that young
The other person has experienced the loss of a child already and is getting older, making them more aware of their biological clock and desire to have a family.
My biological clock is ticking, I'm not just trying to have fun
The other person is aware of their biological clock and is not just looking for a casual relationship or casual fun.
Shits way different from us first chilling
The relationship has evolved and changed since the beginning when they were just hanging out and enjoying each other's company.
Sometimes last words can have the worst ending
The final words spoken in a relationship can have a negative impact and lead to a bad ending.
Which we could fast forward time and reverse feelings
The singer wishes they could go back in time and reverse their feelings or the events that led to the current situation.
Is there a warranty for love to return and fix it
The singer is questioning whether love has a guarantee to fix broken relationships and restore what was lost.
She said you good either way, when it was her last night nigga and me today
The other person has moved on and is seeing someone else, indicating that they don't need the artist in their life.
You the man, huh getting on the tna
The other person is sarcastically commenting on the artist's bravado and ego, suggesting that they are not as important as they think they are.
You fucking her raw too, sharing our DNA?
The other person is accusing the artist of having an intimate relationship with someone else and potentially putting both of them at risk.
And so on and so on, and the shit just always goes on
The cycle of drama, blame, and hurt continues, with no resolution or end in sight.
Nothing about us feeling right
The relationship has never felt completely right or healthy.
But she'll be back before the end of the night
Despite everything, the singer believes the other person will ultimately come back to them, indicating a lack of closure or finality.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Sean Anderson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
SUMU ZEUS
this is the first big sean song i heard and he's grown so much since then. still DOPE A F!
GMAHIPPO101
Big Sean, love this dude... Mixtape is FIRE!
MrTHUGalog187
damn this is the shii man..thanks for the DL link man... do your thang helpin spreading the real music left in the HIP HOP GAME
brougham 92
Big Sean da GOAT
Eli
my manz big sean still DOin it
Suhas Reddy
his style changed so much wow
JDL881
Back when sean could rap
David Slatt
easily big sean's best song, hands down
Cutlass
this is the dopest shit out there right now, B-i.........G!
Placida Media
This song alone got me listening to him