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.
FEED
Big Sean Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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I woke up with too much on my chest (I woke up and realized I didn't even remember my dream and)
I didn't know I gave it everything 'til I realized that I had nothing else left
Issues bleeding over from my past life (tryna take care of everybody)
I wonder
I wonder if my karma's up and this is my last life to get it right, transcend
The days are getting shorter I notice
Seems like time is moving fast forward while I'm in slow motion (slow)
Losing love ones with really no one to cope with
It's cool my third and my forth eye open (thank you, God, so much)
I dodged a cell but still locked on the cell
I never thought I'd see the day my mom wouldn't agree with Oprah and Gayle
Myra Denise was my peace of heaven on earth and living hell
Who gave me everything but never took anything for herself
Imagine, '06 Impala with zero mileage
Seventeen, baggy clothes, not like Billie Eilish
Some niggas grow old but not up, they still as childish
Demons wearing masks as my friends they favorite disguises
But niggas not gon' forget about me
Like niggas forgot about how Harriet was suppose to be on top of that twenty dollars (straight up)
Dawg, my life a scene out of Casablanca, you got it wrong, I'm the monster
Burning man Ayahuasca, my check up no diagnostic
You disappear in the D like you Jimmy Hoffa, gone
I play my part like Leo without the Oscar (damn)
Underrated, but you still gotta watch it
Yeah, maneuvered through it, I had to do it (do it)
Shows looking like Latin music
'Cept tonight we in Houston the next night it's Chattanooga
But it's still Latins that's rapping' to it
Pursuit of happiness, I had to prove it
The best part 'bout problems is problems all come with solutions
That's why I don't focus on no legacy shit
All I care about is plugging friends and fam, that's it
And being the missing link to all they goals and dreams, that's it
And sinking the winning shot while I'm triple teamed for the chip (bitch)
And I'ma let my whole soul glow
I cant kick it with you no mo, can't miss no mo goals
Best linens and my bitch down like she Yoko Ono
When the reaper say its time to go, I'ma say, "No, no, no"
How am I supposed to leave all this? For what?
People are hungry for, for something that means, really means something
They're hungry man, they like, fucking, you know what I mean they
Because their starving, they get so much bullshit you know
Bullshit, there's so much of it
What's my purpose?
Why is my purpose?
Where is my purpose?
I am purpose
When I compare my purpose to someone else's
Then it is no longer my purpose
Disconnect to reconnect (disconnect to reconnect)
In the song FEED, Big Sean opens up about the personal struggles he is facing in his life, which he describes as having too much on his chest. He wakes up having forgotten his dream, and he feels as though he has nothing left to give. The issues from his past life, like trying to take care of everyone, are bleeding over into his current circumstances. He's questioning if his karma is up and if this is his last life to get it right. In this state of confusion, he's seeking to transcend.
The days are getting shorter, and it seems like time is moving fast forward while he is in slow motion. Big Sean is losing loved ones with nobody to cope with. He acknowledges this but says that he is still able to keep his third and fourth eye open, thanks to God. He mentions dodging a cell, but he is still locked on a cell, revealing that even when he's not physically in jail, he's still held captive by his own thoughts and external circumstances.
He shares a personal anecdote about Myra Denise, who was the peace of heaven on earth and living hell. She gave him everything but never took anything for herself. Big Sean then raps about his life scene, playing his part like Leonardo DiCaprio without the Oscar. He calls himself the missing link to his friends and family's goals and dreams, and he's willing to sink the winning shot while being triple-teamed. The song ends with Big Sean stating he is his purpose and that he must disconnect to reconnect.
Line by Line Meaning
I woke up with too much on my chest (I woke up and realized I didn't even remember my dream and)
The singer wakes up feeling troubled and anxious and notes that he doesn't remember his dream from the night before.
I didn't know I gave it everything 'til I realized that I had nothing else left
The singer is feeling depleted and realizes that he has no energy left to give.
Issues bleeding over from my past life (tryna take care of everybody)
The singer is dealing with problems from his past and is trying to take care of everyone around him.
I wonder
The artist expresses curiosity about something that is on his mind.
I wonder if my karma's up and this is my last life to get it right, transcend
The artist ponders whether he has reached the end of his karmic cycle and is striving to transcend to a higher level.
The days are getting shorter I notice
The singer realizes that the days are getting shorter.
Seems like time is moving fast forward while I'm in slow motion (slow)
The singer feels like time is moving quickly while he is standing still.
Losing love ones with really no one to cope with
The artist is mourning the loss of loved ones and doesn't feel like he has the support he needs.
It's cool my third and my forth eye open (thank you, God, so much)
The artist is grateful for the spiritual intuition that he possesses and feels like it will help him cope with his problems.
I dodged a cell but still locked on the cell
The artist avoided going to jail but still feels trapped in his circumstances.
I never thought I'd see the day my mom wouldn't agree with Oprah and Gayle
The singer is surprised that his mother doesn't share his love of Oprah and Gayle King.
Myra Denise was my peace of heaven on earth and living hell
The artist's relationship with Myra brought him both happiness and misery.
Who gave me everything but never took anything for herself
The singer is thankful for all that he received from Myra, who was selfless and never asked for anything in return.
Imagine, '06 Impala with zero mileage
The singer is fondly reminiscing about an old car that had zero miles on it.
Seventeen, baggy clothes, not like Billie Eilish
The singer is describing the way he dressed when he was young.
Some niggas grow old but not up, they still as childish
The artist is reflecting on how some people never mature and remain childish their entire lives.
Demons wearing masks as my friends they favorite disguises
The artist feels like some of his friends are deceiving him and hiding their true intentions.
But niggas not gon' forget about me
The singer is confident that people won't forget about him.
Like niggas forgot about how Harriet was suppose to be on top of that twenty dollars (straight up)
The singer is making a reference to historical figure Harriet Tubman and the fact that her image is supposed to be on the $20 bill, but it hasn't happened yet.
Dawg, my life a scene out of Casablanca, you got it wrong, I'm the monster
The artist feels like his life is reminiscent of a classic movie and asserts that he is the one in control.
Burning man Ayahuasca, my check up no diagnostic
The artist refers to the transformational experience of Burning Man and ayahuasca and notes that a medical checkup didn't reveal any problems.
You disappear in the D like you Jimmy Hoffa, gone
The artist compares someone to notorious gangster Jimmy Hoffa, who disappeared and was never found.
I play my part like Leo without the Oscar (damn)
The singer is committed to playing his role well, like Leonardo DiCaprio, who has been nominated for numerous Academy Awards but has not won.
Underrated, but you still gotta watch it
The artist feels like he is underrated but warns people to still pay attention to him.
Yeah, maneuvered through it, I had to do it (do it)
The singer admits that he had to navigate a tricky situation.
Shows looking like Latin music
The singer's performances have a similar look and feel to Latin music shows.
'Cept tonight we in Houston the next night it's Chattanooga
The singer is on tour and describes how quickly he moves from one city to the next.
But it's still Latins that's rapping' to it
The artist points out that although his shows have a Latin feel to them, he is still the one performing.
Pursuit of happiness, I had to prove it
The artist is on a mission to find happiness and has to work hard to achieve it.
The best part 'bout problems is problems all come with solutions
The singer believes that every problem has a solution and that finding those solutions can be rewarding.
That's why I don't focus on no legacy shit
The singer explains that he doesn't worry about his legacy and instead focuses on helping his loved ones achieve their goals.
All I care about is plugging friends and fam, that's it
The artist is committed to promoting and supporting his friends and family members.
And being the missing link to all they goals and dreams, that's it
The artist sees himself as a crucial connector who can help his loved ones achieve their dreams.
And sinking the winning shot while I'm triple teamed for the chip (bitch)
The artist is determined to succeed, even if the odds are against him.
And I'ma let my whole soul glow
The singer is committed to being open and authentic in his interactions with others.
I cant kick it with you no mo, can't miss no mo goals
The artist has decided to cut ties with someone in order to focus on his own goals.
Best linens and my bitch down like she Yoko Ono
The singer's partner is supportive and committed to their relationship, like Yoko Ono was to John Lennon.
When the reaper say its time to go, I'ma say, "No, no, no"
The singer is not afraid of death and is determined to live his life to the fullest.
People are hungry for, for something that means, really means something
The singer believes that people are looking for something meaningful to give their lives purpose.
They're hungry man, they like, fucking, you know what I mean they
The artist emphasizes how important it is for people to find something that gives their life meaning.
Because their starving, they get so much bullshit you know
The artist believes that people are bombarded with meaningless information and distractions, which only makes them feel more lost and hopeless.
What's my purpose?
The singer is asking a philosophical question about the meaning of his existence.
Why is my purpose?
The singer is reflecting on the deeper purpose behind his actions and decisions.
Where is my purpose?
The artist is searching for greater clarity and understanding about the direction of his life.
I am purpose
The artist asserts that he is in control of his own destiny and has the power to give his life purpose.
When I compare my purpose to someone else's
The artist is recognizing that he sometimes measures his own purpose against that of others.
Then it is no longer my purpose
The singer realizes that he needs to define his own purpose and not let others dictate his path.
Disconnect to reconnect (disconnect to reconnect)
The artist is advocating for the importance of taking time to disconnect from the world in order to reconnect with oneself.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Keith Capron, Matthew Samuels, Sean Anderson, Tahrence Brown, Teddy Walton, Tom Kahre
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@miabrianna7915
Such a solid album🔥🔥🔥
Big Sean be straight slayin' the game, no doubt! AUTHENTIC VIEWS gave him a boost, but his raw talent remains unchanged. He's holdin' it down like a true boss! Drop a thumbs up if you're vibin' with it, fam!
@SMAP757
This album is for him, but hes so in tune that hes sharing his journey with us because leaders lead and inspire. ♈
@kinggfromchi9379
The talking in the background and then the reverse effect on the beat remind me of Kendrick a lot
@georgebeard5446
FINALLY 👁
@Eli-ii1jg
This mans music saved my life. This inspired my spiritual and musical journey. He’s way too underrated.
@smch88
Aries life
@Evan-wq4ib
Goat comment. We all get the chance to be able to listen to this at this exact time for a reason. I dont knkw i about you but i really needed this album... God bless Sean.
@Mooreeezy
If this album don't go platinum I'll never trust hip-hop ever again
@lqj4376
The only shit that’s selling is the TikTok music
@Mooreeezy
Demons wear a mask as my friends they favorite disguises 🎯