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.
Mula
Big Sean Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Where my fire freaks that's gonna ride with me
Where my real niggas that's gonna ride with me
Where my fire freaks that's gonna ride with me
Ain't nothing more important than the mula
Ain't nothing more important than the mula
Hallelujah, hallelujah, praise god, hallelujah
Tell the police I'ma stack this paper 'til I overdose
Woodie, hoodie, slowly back your bitch ass up your over close
I overflow on all the hoes, my niggas is over height
Shooting up your phantom night and call your shit the holy ghost
Mercy, lord would you please have mercy
And protect me from the hoes if their life ain't sweet they go desert me
Shut the fuck up and stand out when you see me like I'm the verdict
That's respect now I got your wifey and you're back to using jerk and hurt
Sick and spill and tip it for my niggas who done passed away
Charge your ass a fuck you fee and make you pay your tax today
I'm on the secluded island, I swear I feel like cast away
Put that money in my shooter hands and tell 'em blast away
Look I feel like getting paper is my destiny
'Til I rest in peace, getting money recipe
Throw my mic is what you want, bitch just leave the rest to me
Ain't no motherfucking rest for me
'Cause
Ain't nothing more important than the mula
Ain't nothing more important than the mula
Hallelujah, hallelujah, praise god, hallelujah
Ain't nothing more important than the mula
Ain't nothing more important than the mula
Hallelujah, hallelujah, praise god, hallelujah
Ain't nothing more important than the mula
Diamond rings, hundred chains, slick rick the rula
I got cars, cribs all in my name
Got them m's all in that bank
Griff Blake all in that paint, stack some bread come watch me pray
Pray that never die broke get them cases by the boat
Went shopping bought the store, shorty snuck her fell that crab
Eating lobster on my dinner plate
Stacking all this money homie trying to see that ceiling break
Mula ain't everything homie, is the only thing
Came from the hall of piss straight to the hall of fame
Talking money we got it, thug boys shoot your style
Eating good I ain't brolic I'm just chasing them comma's haahh
My niggas ride got five and my bitches ten
Got that china white call it german land
Ain't nothing more important than the mula
A chain, a fridge, deep freezer and a cooler
Ain't nothing more important than the mula
Ain't nothing more important than the mula
Hallelujah, hallelujah, praise god, hallelujah
Ain't nothing more important than the mula
Ain't nothing more important than the mula
Hallelujah, hallelujah, praise god, hallelujah
Where my real niggas that's gonna ride with me
Where my fire freaks that's gonna ride with me
Where my real niggas that's gonna ride with me
Where my fire freaks that's gonna ride with me
The lyrics of Big Sean's "Mula" song, featuring French Montana, reflect the rapper's focus on money and success. The chorus states that there is nothing more important than the money and calls for his real niggas and fire freaks to ride with him, emphasizing that financial success is a priority. He talks about stacking paper until he overdoses and charging a "fuck you" fee to those who disrespect him. He also mentions leaving his hometown and living on a secluded island with his wealth, further emphasizing his focus on financial gain.
The verses continue to emphasize this central theme, with Sean boasting about his cars, cribs, and diamond rings. He also brags about his drug connections and willingness to shoot his enemies. The lyrics are filled with profanity and disrespect towards women, but they also reveal the rapper's determination to succeed and his confidence in his ability to make money.
In summary, "Mula" is a song that celebrates financial success and the importance of money in the music industry. Sean's lyrics are filled with arrogance and profanity, but they also reveal his drive to succeed and his willingness to do whatever it takes to make money.
Line by Line Meaning
Where my real niggas that's gonna ride with me
Asking for loyal friends who will support him no matter what
Where my fire freaks that's gonna ride with me
Asking for loyal partners who will support him no matter what
Ain't nothing more important than the mula
The most important thing is money, regardless of anything else
Hallelujah, hallelujah, praise god, hallelujah
Expressing gratitude for the wealth, success, and blessings in his life
Tell the police I'ma stack this paper 'til I overdose
Promising to continue making money and never stop, despite the risk of overdosing on drugs
Woodie, hoodie, slowly back your bitch ass up your over close
Telling a rival to back off slowly and keep their distance
I overflow on all the hoes, my niggas is over height
Boasting about his success with women and the height of his success compared to his friends
Shooting up your phantom night and call your shit the holy ghost
Threatening his rival's car and calling it a ghost after shooting it
Mercy, lord would you please have mercy
Asking for protection from harm and danger
And protect me from the hoes if their life ain't sweet they go desert me
Asking for protection from disloyal women who may abandon him when life gets tough
Shut the fuck up and stand out when you see me like I'm the verdict
Demanding respect from others when he is present
That's respect now I got your wifey and you're back to using jerk and hurt
Boasting about stealing someone's wife and causing them emotional pain
Sick and spill and tip it for my niggas who done passed away
Paying homage and showing respect to his deceased friends
Charge your ass a fuck you fee and make you pay your tax today
Charging his rivals an exorbitant fee and making them pay for the privilege of being near him
I'm on the secluded island, I swear I feel like cast away
Feeling isolated and alone despite his wealth and success
Put that money in my shooter hands and tell 'em blast away
Putting his money to work by hiring someone to use it to his advantage aggressively
Look I feel like getting paper is my destiny
Believing that making money is his purpose in life
'Til I rest in peace, getting money recipe
Planning to keep making money until he dies
Throw my mic is what you want, bitch just leave the rest to me
Saying that he can handle the competition and others should just leave him to his own devices
Ain't no motherfucking rest for me
Saying that he never stops working or making money
Diamond rings, hundred chains, slick rick the rula
Boasting about his expensive jewelry and referencing the rapper Slick Rick
I got cars, cribs all in my name
Boasting about his possessions
Got them m's all in that bank
Boasting about having a lot of money in his bank account
Griff Blake all in that paint, stack some bread come watch me pray
Boasting about his success and planning to make even more money
Pray that never die broke get them cases by the boat
Praying to never lose his wealth and always making more money
Went shopping bought the store, shorty snuck her fell that crab
Boasting about his shopping spree and describing his sexual prowess
Eating lobster on my dinner plate
Enjoying the luxuries he can afford with his money
Stacking all this money homie trying to see that ceiling break
Working hard to become even more successful and wealthy
Mula ain't everything homie, is the only thing
Suggesting that money is everything and the only thing that matters
Came from the hall of piss straight to the hall of fame
Describing his rise from humble beginnings to fame and success
Talking money we got it, thug boys shoot your style
Boasting about his wealth and threatening to outdo or embarrass his rivals
Eating good I ain't brolic I'm just chasing them comma's haahh
Enjoying the benefits of his wealth while acknowledging that he still needs to make more money
My niggas ride got five and my bitches ten
Boasting about the number of friends and women he has in his life
Got that china white call it german land
Bringing up a drug reference to describe his success and, indirectly, illegal activities
Ain't nothing more important than the mula
Repeating the importance of money and success
A chain, a fridge, deep freezer and a cooler
Listing some of his possessions that add to his wealth and status
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC
Written by: Earl Patrick Taylor, Karim Kharbouch, Sean Michael Anderson, Tyree Lamar Pittman
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@sidseverino
LYRICS:
[Intro: Sean]
After God, after my family, I ain’t gon’ front
Ain’t nothing more important than this success, than getting it
[Bridge: Big Sean]
Where my real niggas that’s gon’ ride for me
Where my fine freaks that’s gon’ ride for me
Where my real niggas that’s gon’ ride for me
Where my fine freaks that’s gon’ ride for me
[Hook: Sean]
Ain’t nothing more important than the mula
Ain’t nothing more important than the mula
Hallelujah, hallelujah, praise God, Hallelujah
[Verse 1: Big Sean]
Tell the police I’mma stack this paper ’til I overdose
Whoa-di, ho-di, slowly back yo bitch ass up, you over close
I over flow, all over hoes, my niggas is over hype
Shooting up your Phantom, now they call your shit the Holy ghost
M-M-Mercy, Lord would you please have mercy
And protect me from the hoes, if her life ain’t sweet, they gon’ desert me
Shut the fuck up, and stand up when you see me, like I’m the verdict
That’s respect, now I got your wifey, and you back to using that Jergens
Hurting, sipping, spilling, tipping, for my niggas who done passed way
Charge your ass a fuck you fee, and make you pay your tax today
I’m on a secluded island, swear it feel like castaway
Put that money in my shooter hands, and tell him blast away
I feel like getting paper is my destiny
‘Til I rest in piece, get money recipe
Told my mind get what you want, then just leave the rest to me
Ain’t no motherfucking rest for me
[Hook x2]
[Verse 2: French Montana]
Ain’t nothing more important than the mula
Diamand rings, hundred chains, Slick Rick the ruler
I got polished cribs all in my name
Got them M’s all in that bank
Griff, Blake all in that paint
Stacking bread, come watch me plank
Pray to never dying broke
Getting cases by the boat
Went shopping, buy the store
Shorty snorkel for that crab, eating lobster on my dinner plate
Stacking all this money homie, tryna see that ceiling break
Mula ain’t everything homie, it’s the only thing
Came from a hall of piss, straight to the hall of fame
Talk money, we got it, fuck boy, shoot your stylist
Eating good, I ain’t brolic, I’m just chasing them commas
My niggas rock that five, and my bitch a ten
Got that China white, call it Jeremy Lin
Ain’t nothing more important than the mula
My chain, a fridge, deep freezer, and a cooler
[Hook x2]
[Bridge]
Listen to my song "You Can't Guard Me"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tKqS3viLBQA
@pistonsfansadly1996
This was my song back in high school. I’m 25 now
@kaiosama3846
Ong thoooo
@kiddmillie5687
Facts
@austin0146
9th grade year was lit 🔥 im 27
@KrayJSongz
I’m 26 lol
@taylernicks8751
Class of 2014 🤌
@jbudz313
Everyone reading this has stacks of cash coming their way, just manifest, and stay positive and positive will come your way! 🙌
@Skites
damn we will never another era like this
@itsrealkenna
Watching Big Sean’s music mature over the years has been really fun and I hope he keeps going. Keep doing your thing Big Sean. I know if I put in the work, I can reach a larger audience some day too, but for now, I’m happy being a supporter
@ignasjayofficial
Tuned From Kenya, Africa.