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.
K.O.
Big Sean Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Okay, just try it again
When I woke up this morning (morning)
All I could think about was you (you, you, you)
'Cause when I went to sleep last night
All I could think about was you (you, you, you)
Adam and Eve, don't eat that fruit
'Cause I'm the nigga that told them niggas
That told them niggas, 'bout you (you, you, you)
Chuck the deuce, while I'm ridin' through (yeah)
Tity Boi, I might sign a boob (yeah)
Your nigga hatin', tell your nigga that's hatin'
That if he gettin' some paper I might sign him too (oh)
Best believe, I'm just slidin' through
Pull your panties to the side, let me slide through
I can see you niggas from the side view
I'm in and out the pussy, drive through (ow)
White coupe with the white rims
I like to crack the top and let the light in
You know she dark skin, her friend light skin
Put us together, and it's ice cream (ow)
Sandwich it, she can't manage it
I know her man is sick, she can't handle it
She need some time alone, I told her call my phone
And when she call my phone I didn't answer it (ow)
KO, KO, KO, KO (KO, KO, KO, KO)
I'm gonna smoke 'til you niggas can't smoke no more (yeah)
Roll 'til you bitches can't roll no more
KO, KO, KO, KO (KO, KO, knock it out, know it out)
I'm gonna blow 'til you niggas can't blow no more (yeah)
Blow 'til you bitches can't blow no more
KO, KO, KO, KO (KO, let me hit it, let me hit it, knock it out)
I'm gonna smoke 'til you niggas can't smoke no more (yeah)
Roll 'til you bitches can't roll no more
KO, KO, KO, KO (KO, knock it out, let me hit it, let me hit it)
I'm gonna blow 'til you niggas can't blow no more (yeah)
Blow 'til you bitches can't blow no more
Do it
I was in Detroit, Michigan not too long ago
And visiting with some friends of mine
B-I-G
Okay, I'm in motion, I'm rollin' and smoking (boy, boy, boy)
And smoking and rollin' like I'm locomotion
I'm walking outside and I'm causing commotions
Got purp and champagne that's a real nigga potion
I'm burnin' bread, toastin' and joking
'Cause I went from views from my mom's house
To views of the ocean (whoa)
Niggas talk shit, But that's free promotion
I'm living my life like the end is approaching
Man, fuck these niggas with a passion (okay)
I'm gettin' paid from the cradle to the casket (do it)
My grandma said, "boy, you need to read a bible chapter"
'Til I bought her ass a house bigger than the Pastor's
Hallelujah ('Lujah)
Your now fucking with a bad bitch connoisseur ('seur)
My ex-girl said, "man, the fame caught up to ya" (to ya)
Baby, you don't still think about me (what you mean? What you mean?)
Wet dream about me, I swear you use to couldn't wait to KO
KO, KO, KO, KO (boy, B-I-G, boy, Sean Don)
I'm gonna smoke 'til you niggas can't smoke no more (boy, boy)
Roll 'til you bitches can't roll no more (oh yeah)
KO, KO, KO, KO (KO, knock it out)
I'm gonna blow 'til you niggas can't blow no more (boy, boy, boy)
Blow 'til you bitches can't blow no more
KO, KO, KO, KO (KO, let me hit it, let me hit it, knock it out)
I'm gonna smoke 'til you niggas can't smoke no more (yeah)
Roll 'til you bitches can't roll no more
KO, KO, KO, KO (KO, knock it out, let me hit it, let me hit it)
I'm gonna blow 'til you niggas can't blow no more (yeah)
Blow 'til you bitches can't blow no more (boy, boy, boy, boy)
The lyrics to Big Sean's song "K.O." are filled with boastful and confident lines, as well as references to relationships and indulgences. The song begins with Big Sean waking up in the morning and immediately thinking about someone. The repetition of the line "All I could think about was you" emphasizes the intensity of his thoughts and the impact this person has on him. He compares himself to Adam and Eve, suggesting that, just like in the biblical story, he can't resist his desires.
Big Sean's lyrics also touch on his success and influence, as he claims to be the one who spread rumors about this person, further boosting his ego. He talks about riding through with confidence, signing autographs on a woman's breasts, and being selective about who he associates with. Additionally, he reveals his sexual prowess and describes his experiences with women in an explicit manner.
The chorus of the song repeats the phrase "KO" multiple times, which can be interpreted as a metaphor for knockout or overpowering someone or something. Big Sean expresses his intention to keep smoking, rolling, and blowing until he can no longer do so, showcasing his dedication to enjoying life to the fullest.
Overall, "K.O." is a celebratory and self-assured track, with Big Sean confidently asserting his dominance and indulging in his desires.
Line by Line Meaning
Yeah, yeah
Expressing agreement or enthusiasm
Okay, just try it again
Encouraging someone to make another attempt
When I woke up this morning (morning)
All I could think about was you (you, you, you)
Thinking about someone intensely upon waking up
'Cause when I went to sleep last night
All I could think about was you (you, you, you)
Continuing to think about someone obsessively before falling asleep
Adam and Eve, don't eat that fruit
Best believe I'mma eat that boo
Ignoring warnings and taking risks because of desire
'Cause I'm the nigga that told them niggas
That told them niggas, 'bout you (you, you, you)
Claiming responsibility for spreading information or gossip about someone
Chuck the deuce, while I'm ridin' through (yeah)
Casually giving a peace sign or dismissal while driving by
Tity Boi, I might sign a boob (yeah)
Playfully expressing a willingness to autograph someone's body part
Your nigga hatin', tell your nigga that's hatin'
That if he gettin' some paper I might sign him too (oh)
Offering success and recognition to someone who shows support instead of hate
Best believe, I'm just slidin' through
Pull your panties to the side, let me slide through
Approaching someone with non-committal intentions or for casual encounters
I can see you niggas from the side view
I'm in and out the pussy, drive through (ow)
Engaging in sexual acts without emotional attachment or commitment
White coupe with the white rims
I like to crack the top and let the light in
Enjoying luxury and attention while showing off
You know she dark skin, her friend light skin
Put us together, and it's ice cream (ow)
Finding attraction and pleasure in the contrast between different women
Sandwich it, she can't manage it
I know her man is sick, she can't handle it
Engaging in threesome or multiple sexual encounters causing emotional stress
She need some time alone, I told her call my phone
And when she call my phone I didn't answer it (ow)
Lacking interest or commitment in a romantic relationship and intentionally ignoring calls
KO, KO, KO, KO (KO, KO, KO, KO)
Expressing the desire to dominate or defeat others
I'm gonna smoke 'til you niggas can't smoke no more (yeah)
Continuing to consume drugs until reaching a point beyond others' capabilities
Roll 'til you bitches can't roll no more
Continuing to indulge in excessive behavior until others cannot keep up
Do it
Encouraging someone to take action or follow through
I was in Detroit, Michigan not too long ago
And visiting with some friends of mine
Sharing a personal anecdote about traveling and spending time with friends
B-I-G
Referring to oneself as a significant or important figure
Okay, I'm in motion, I'm rollin' and smoking (boy, boy, boy)
And smoking and rollin' like I'm locomotion
Engaging in continuous movement and drug use, likening it to the function of a train
I'm walking outside and I'm causing commotions
Got purp and champagne that's a real nigga potion
Attracting attention and creating disturbances while enjoying a mixture of drugs
I'm burnin' bread, toastin' and joking
'Cause I went from views from my mom's house
To views of the ocean (whoa)
Celebrating success and wealth, going from humble beginnings to a life of luxury
Niggas talk shit, But that's free promotion
I'm living my life like the end is approaching
Ignoring negative comments and using them as publicity, embracing a carpe diem mindset
Man, fuck these niggas with a passion (okay)
I'm gettin' paid from the cradle to the casket (do it)
Expressing disdain for others while proudly acknowledging continuous monetary gain
My grandma said, "boy, you need to read a bible chapter"
'Til I bought her ass a house bigger than the Pastor's
Ignoring religious advice and proving success through material possessions
Hallelujah ('Lujah)
Your now fucking with a bad bitch connoisseur ('seur)
Declaring oneself as an expert or connoisseur in having sexual relationships with attractive women
My ex-girl said, "man, the fame caught up to ya" (to ya)
Receiving criticism from a former romantic partner about the negative effects of fame
Baby, you don't still think about me (what you mean? What you mean?)
Wet dream about me, I swear you use to couldn't wait to KO
Asserting that an ex-partner still fantasizes about the singer and expressing pride in their past sexual encounters
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC
Written by: Tauheed Epps, Sean Anderson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@darvin50k
To the person reading this: Even though I don’t know you, I wish you the best of what life has to offer ✨💕
@Jamalz-uk5cs
Likewise, stranger on the web. Thank you.
@T7_Quirino
Obrigado, para você também
@kellyvalentine7660
❤️
@tattypoo
Thank you 🙏🏾
@skinner8732
Thank youuuuu❤️ I literally needed this today. 7/17/22🙏🏽
@PmfSwavier
This song can literally been made today and still fit the era 🔥
@JavontaeJackson27
I just said this 🔥
@jaimesmith2266
Absolutely this is timeless.
@suburbangrower4050
9 months later and the statement still reigns true.