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.
It's Time
Big Sean Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
That's how much I don't sleep nigga
Finally famous nigga
And I'll be goddamned if I didn't
Put the city on let's get it
(Alright alright alright, alright alright alright)
Let's get it
And I'll be goddamned if I didn't
Put the city on let's get it
(Alright alright alright, alright alright alright)
Let's get it
Today is a good day
I wish a nigga would day
Ride through the hood day
Ride through the hood where I would stay
If I wasn't me, wasn't committed
I told my mom and my dad it'll be the last Christmas
In the hood that you can visit
Oh boy I got it, no chasers
'Cause the best mixed with Hennessey is problems
I took that advice young when I was headed up to college
Momma swimming in that debt
Rather swim with the piranhas or the shark
Ready set go, on your mark to the top
Getting rich ain't a blessing it's a choice
Drunk and still drinking out the fucking bottle
I want a hood rat bitch motherfuck a model
You ain't alive if you ain't living that's the motto
And I'mma' probably wake up tomorrow sayin', sayin'
And I'll be goddamned if I didn't
Put the city on let's get it
(Alright alright alright, alright alright alright)
Let's get it
And I'll be goddamned if I didn't
Put the city on let's get it
(Alright alright alright, alright alright alright)
Let's get it
Lets get it, yeah be alright nigga
It's the motherfucking world nigga
Getcha some time to just do it how I done it
First up on the first cause' first of all you gotta want it
Re-up time for every penny, never fronted
So room for, paid every penny then I stunted
Stunted so hard you woulda thought I was a stuntman
TS4 with 23's I'm talking jumpmans
Twos and thirds watch for the blitz, you know they rush
Just don't get caught in the coupe with them birds, end of discussion
Them boys round the corner wanna sell in that Cal Ripken
If them niggas think I'm riding with that, them niggas tripping
Yeah I got a magnificent hustle, cause' imma' grinder
Told my olds im hiding you here, so they won't find you
What you know about a bag that's heavy as anacondas?
Bet you one thing, I ain't talking no marijuana
That's whats wrong with these niggas they think it's about shine
You niggas get back to your grind, I think it's about time
And I'll be goddamned if I didn't
Put the city on let's get it
(Alright alright alright, alright alright alright)
Let's get it
And I'll be goddamned if I didn't
Put the city on let's get it
(Alright alright alright, alright alright alright)
Let's get it
They say it's my time according to my Rolex
I'm bout to fuck the game, then your ho next
I used to talk dirty on my cell, no phone sex
No yoga boy I was making blow stretch
Press the fast forward button, I'm pushing a foreign something
All through my neighborhood, next stop is the haters hood
My bitch so bad, but you can bet that my paper good
I do this for real, you lil niggas just fake it good
It's time for a new crib, it's time for a new chain
20 thousand on me homie that's just loose change
Too many diamond chains that nigga a mess
But if you knew bout my hood you'd say that nigga is blessed
Detroit in this bitch, Big Sean what it do bro?
Getting money four ways so I can buy a two-door
Stash looking healthy but my jewelry got the flu though
The hustle's who I represent, dope boys we in this bitch
And I'll be goddamned if I didn't
Put the city on let's get it
(Alright alright alright, alright alright alright)
Let's get it
And I'll be goddamned if I didn't
Put the city on let's get it
(Alright alright alright, alright alright alright)
Let's get it
Detroit, once the backbone of this country
Now it's the largest U.S. city to file for bankruptcy
Thriving neighborhoods are now vacant
Going from a population of nearly 2 million
To under 700,000 in a matter of years
The people of Detroit really going to have to stick together
To make it through these tough times
The song "It's Time" by Big Sean is a song about hustling and making it big. The overall theme of the song is about not wasting the time and opportunity present in front of you. The first verse talks about how much Big Sean works and how he hardly ever sleeps. He discusses how he has put Detroit on the map and how he is going to continue to do so. The second verse incorporates more about how success is a choice and how he wants to get rich without a blessing. The third verse talks more about the hustle and the struggles that come with being successful.
The chorus of the song is one of the most powerful aspects of the song. It is repeated twice and it talks about how Big Sean is going to put his city on the map. It is almost as if the chorus is a call to arms for people who have a dream or a goal that they want to accomplish. It's the idea that if Big Sean can make it, then anyone can make it.
Overall, the song is a classic example of Big Sean's style: he discusses his personal struggles while also painting a picture of hope for others who may be experiencing similar struggles. The chorus is the kind of inspiring message that can help anyone reach their goals.
Line by Line Meaning
I done fell asleep fucking last night
I was so busy or preoccupied with something, that I couldn't finish the day until I was finished with it.
That's how much I don't sleep nigga
I spend so much time working and hustling that I hardly find any time to sleep.
Finally famous nigga
I'm finally successful and people now recognize me or appreciate me for what I've done.
And I'll be goddamned if I didn't
I swear that I did or achieved something that is worth recognition or celebration.
Put the city on let's get it
I made the city proud and now it's time to take it to the next level.
(Alright alright alright, alright alright alright)
An expression of enthusiasm or excitement for the next move.
Today is a good day
I'm in a good mood and feeling positive about what's to come.
I wish a nigga would day
I'm daring somebody to try me because I'm confident that I'll come out on top.
Ride through the hood day
I'm driving around to see where I came from and how far I've come.
Ride through the hood where I would stay
I'm taking a trip down memory lane to where I grew up and remembering what it was like.
If I wasn't me, wasn't committed
If I didn't have the drive or work ethic that I do, I never would've made it this far.
I told my mom and my dad it'll be the last Christmas
I promised my parents that I would get out of the hood and make them proud.
In the hood that you can visit
The conditions in the hood are so bad that it's not even worth visiting anymore.
Oh boy I got it, no chasers
I'm fully confident in myself and my abilities, and I don't need anything to soften the blow of success.
'Cause the best mixed with Hennessey is problems
Too much of a good thing can often lead to trouble.
I took that advice young when I was headed up to college
I learned that lesson early on and have been cautious ever since.
Momma swimming in that debt
My mom is struggling financially and is in a lot of debt.
Rather swim with the piranhas or the shark
I'd rather take risks and deal with the consequences than stay in the situation we're in.
Ready set go, on your mark to the top
I'm ready and eager to start my ascent to the top of my field.
Getting rich ain't a blessing it's a choice
We have to work hard and make smart decisions to become successful, it's not just handed to us.
Drunk and still drinking out the fucking bottle
I'm celebrating my success and letting loose after a hard day's work.
I want a hood rat bitch motherfuck a model
I prefer the realness and familiarity of women I grew up with rather than women who are fake or unattainable.
You ain't alive if you ain't living that's the motto
Live life to the fullest or you're not really living at all.
And I'mma' probably wake up tomorrow sayin', sayin'
I'll probably wake up tomorrow and do it all over again.
Lets get it, yeah be alright nigga
It's time to hustle and grind to achieve our goals.
It's the motherfucking world nigga
We're making moves and taking over the world.
Getcha some time to just do it how I done it
Take some time to learn from my experiences and hustle the way that I did.
First up on the first cause' first of all you gotta want it
You have to want success and be willing to work for it to achieve it.
Re-up time for every penny, never fronted
It's time to reinvest and make more money without cutting corners or cheating.
So room for, paid every penny then I stunted
I saved up all my money and then showed off my success by spending it.
Stunted so hard you woulda thought I was a stuntman
I showed off so much that people thought I was a stuntman with fake money.
TS4 with 23's I'm talking jumpmans
I bought a luxury car and decorated it with the best rims possible.
Twos and thirds watch for the blitz, you know they rush
I have to stay alert and aware of danger from people who want to steal from me or do me harm.
Just don't get caught in the coupe with them birds, end of discussion
Don't let girls or drugs cause you to make a bad decision that will get you in trouble or ruin your reputation.
Them boys round the corner wanna sell in that Cal Ripken
The people around me are trying to hustle and make money any way they can.
If them niggas think I'm riding with that, them niggas tripping
I'm not willing to take a risk that could get me in trouble or ruin my reputation.
Yeah I got a magnificent hustle, cause' imma' grinder
I'm a hard worker and a hustler, and that's what makes me successful.
Told my olds im hiding you here, so they won't find you
I'm trying to protect and shelter my family from the dangers of the hood.
What you know about a bag that's heavy as anacondas?
Do you know what it's like to carry a really heavy bag that's full of money or other valuable items?
Bet you one thing, I ain't talking no marijuana
I'm not talking about drugs, I'm talking about real money and success.
That's whats wrong with these niggas they think it's about shine
People think that success is all about showing off and being flashy, when it's really about hard work and sacrifice.
You niggas get back to your grind, I think it's about time
Focus on your work and hustle, it's time to level up and achieve success.
They say it's my time according to my Rolex
It's time for me to shine and be successful, according to my luxury watch.
I'm bout to fuck the game, then your ho next
I'm going to take over the music industry and become a success, then move on to women who previously weren't interested.
I used to talk dirty on my cell, no phone sex
I used to talk on the phone a lot and brag about what I could achieve, without actually doing it.
No yoga boy I was making blow stretch
I wasn't doing anything peaceful or calming like yoga, I was making drugs and money stretch as far as possible.
Press the fast forward button, I'm pushing a foreign something
I'm moving fast and accelerating to success, driving a luxury car.
All through my neighborhood, next stop is the haters hood
I'm showing off my success all through the neighborhood, even in areas where people don't like or appreciate me.
My bitch so bad, but you can bet that my paper good
I have an attractive woman and a lot of money to show off my success with.
I do this for real, you lil niggas just fake it good
I'm real and authentic in everything I do, while others try to imitate and pretend to be successful.
It's time for a new crib, it's time for a new chain
It's time to upgrade my lifestyle and show off my success with better things.
20 thousand on me homie that's just loose change
I have so much money that $20,000 is like pocket change to me.
Too many diamond chains that nigga a mess
I have so many expensive chains and jewelry that it's becoming gaudy or excessive.
But if you knew bout my hood you'd say that nigga is blessed
If you knew where I came from and how hard I worked to achieve success, you'd see that I'm blessed.
Detroit in this bitch, Big Sean what it do bro?
I represent Detroit and I'm proud of where I came from.
Getting money four ways so I can buy a two-door
I'm hustling and making money in multiple ways so I can buy a luxury car.
Stash looking healthy but my jewelry got the flu though
I have so much money saved that my savings account is healthy, but I'm spending a lot of money on jewelry that I don't need.
The hustle's who I represent, dope boys we in this bitch
I represent the people who work hard and hustle to achieve success, and I'm proud of it.
They say it's my time according to my Rolex
I'm ready and talented enough to become successful, according to my luxury watch.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JAY JENKINS, SEAN ANDERSON, DWANE II WEIR, DIOR GIOVANNI PETTY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind