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 Remix
Big Sean Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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
Ain't nothing more important than the mula (The mula)
Ain't nothing more important than the mula (The mula)
Hallelujah, hallelujah, praise God, hallelujah
Ain't nothing more important than the mula
I'm with my shooter and a preacher hallelujah
When they view ya fucking around
Me and my niggas we come in your town
Busting them bottles and fucking your bitches
And when they start hating we gunning them niggas
Don't fuck 'em around, boy I get money all day
And I ball hard like Tim Hardaway
I can see a bad bitch from far away
Let her ride this dick cause I had a hard day
And my dick even harder, you whippin' the charges
You put your rims on and you think that you're balling
I'm whippin' a Bentley, I can't even call it
And my shit so retarded I handicap park it like skrr!
Ain't nothing more important than the mula
Ain't nothing more important than the mula
Hallelujah, hallelujah, praise God, hallelujah
I get paid to the decimal,taxing plus stacking
Yo fuck federale, I smoke medicali
B-I-G Sean don, Juan Perion
Bitch fuck with me, I bet I make it work
I oopsy-daisys on a skirt
Fuck with me get a room for daisies on the dirt
I prefer Brown liquor, Brown ladies, Brown Louboutin
Condom on 'fo I go to work, that's my uniform
Nigga I used to eat mayonnaise sandwiches
By candle lit, and that’s cause the power’s out
And not for romance and shit (No!)
From barely managing to mansions
Where ho’s call me Mr. Anderson
Command a bitch, no I don’t own the pussy I just sample it
I got a couple marbles missing I know
Now there’s marbles all on the floor
On the bathroom, kitchen and stove
I got bitches on my cellular callin and confessing
But I don’t reply cause thats the clearest way to send a message
Paper running through my jugular
I’m blowing loud, throwing thous, getting drunk
You know my style
And my momma say she still proud, that’s mula
Ain't nothing more important than the mula (The mula)
Ain't nothing more important than the mula (The mula)
Hallelujah, hallelujah, praise God, hallelujah
Ain't nothing more important than the mula (Mula)
Ain't nothing more important than the mula (The mula)
Hallelujah, hallelujah, praise God, hallelujah
I'm winning, I don't owe a nigga shit
Came in this motherfucker by myself
Smoking on strong, and holding on my dick like AH
My gold on, I'm the bomb, I'm talking goldmine
Nigga's taking shots at me, I send em' back to their homeline
And I touchdown, goalline, y'all ain't, killing, shit
Shoot every nigga in your clique, I'm on one, let me jog your memory
Me and Nells on a milerun, uh, shawty gonna need her drawers done
Eat her pussy til' it's all gone, uh
And I still ain't ever been robbed, so nigga don't try me
Two niggas with guns, snatch yo wallet
That pickpocket want my I.D and I spray your zone
Treat niggas like strippers and put cash on em'
Got a new choppa, I need that bitch that want a tag on
If you shoot me, you famous, if I shoot you, I'm brainless
So I'm about to be, dumb as fuck, cause' I got blessed fools and babies
When I was fifteen I was a felon
When you were fifteen you were yelling
Mama come get this nigga off my fucking melon
Ain't nothing more important than the mula (The mula)
Ain't nothing more important than the mula (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
Scared money never gon' make nothin' (That's right)
Gotta get it in medula (Waist band)
Couple dollars in the waist band, (That's right)
Nigga hula-hoop with the mula
Everyday that I wake I say grace
Hallelujah welcome back like Mase
Bitches only fuck niggas with the cream
A nigga this fresh ain't never gon' date
Ay, they say we can't maintain
Only real niggas remain
'Ye say that we the new slaves
I need to ball with a chain
I got a real bad bitch I haven't seen her in a month
With twins so big she can put 'em in the bunk
Oh I love it when she drop it and spread it like time
When I see her camel all I wanna do hump
Okay the Hall of Fame keep callin' my name
Got a mural on the wall I'mma legend
From the motor city and been have drive
I just need a little gas in my engine
Okay, we all in the game we ballin' the same
Home team nigga thats a blessing
I'm a bad mothafucker just tryna get some credit
So good it can get my into heaven, nigga
Ain't nothing more important than the mula (The mula)
Ain't nothing more important than the mula (The mula)
Hallelujah, hallelujah, praise God, hallelujah
Ain't nothing more important than the mula (The mula)
Ain't nothing more important than the mula (The mula)
Hallelujah, hallelujah, praise God, hallelujah (Lujah)
The song "Mula" by Big Sean, featuring 2 Chainz, Meek Mill, and Earlly Mac, is a celebration of money - particularly, the "mula" or cash. The song opens with an anthem for "real niggas" and "fine freaks" who will "ride" for the artist, but quickly pivots to lyrics that emphasize the importance of money, specifically citing the word "mula" over and over again. The repetition of this word underscores its significance in the artist's life, and the chorus even includes the lines " Ain't nothing more important than the mula... Hallelujah, hallelujah, praise God, hallelujah" to emphasize the importance of money.
The lyrics go on to describe how the artist's wealth has allowed them to live a lavish lifestyle, with references to driving Bentleys and drinking Brown liquor. There are some vulgar references to sexual encounters and violence, as well as somewhat bragging statements about never having been "robbed." The song concludes with a series of lyrics that continue to emphasize the importance of the "mula" and the luxurious lifestyle that it provides.
Line by Line Meaning
Where my real niggas that's gon' ride for me
Asking for loyal friends who will do anything for him.
Where my fine freaks that's gon' ride for me
Asking for attractive women who are also loyal to him.
Ain't nothing more important than the mula (the mula)
Money is the most important thing to him.
Hallelujah, hallelujah, praise God, hallelujah
Expressing gratitude for his success and wealth.
I'm with my shooter and a preacher hallelujah
He is with someone who can protect him and someone who can guide him spiritually.
When they view ya fucking around
When people see you doing something wrong.
Me and my niggas we come in your town
He and his friends will come to your location to confront you.
Busting them bottles and fucking your bitches
Partying and sleeping with the women in town.
And when they start hating we gunning them niggas
If people start showing hate towards him or his friends, they will respond with violence.
Don't fuck 'em around, boy I get money all day
He is too busy making money to waste time on people who do not matter to him.
And I ball hard like Tim Hardaway
He is successful and enjoys the luxuries of wealth.
I can see a bad bitch from far away
He can spot attractive women from a distance.
Let her ride this dick cause I had a hard day
As a reward for a hard day's work, he will have sex with an attractive woman.
And my dick even harder, you whippin' the charges
He brags about his sexual prowess, while also referencing cars and charges he has to deal with.
You put your rims on and you think that you're balling
Making fun of someone who thinks they are successful for putting rims on their car.
I'm whippin' a Bentley, I can't even call it
Driving a luxurious Bentley, and feeling undeserving of such success.
And my shit so retarded I handicap park it like skrr
His car is so flashy and attention-grabbing that he needs to find a handicap parking space so it will not be damaged.
I get paid to the decimal, taxing plus stacking
He makes money down to the penny, takes care of taxes, and saves his earnings.
Yo, fuck federale, I smoke medicali
He does not like the government and prefers to smoke medical marijuana.
B-I-G Sean don, Juan Perion
He is a big shot and compares himself to a wealthy, powerful man named Juan Perion.
Bitch fuck with me, I bet I make it work
He is confident that he can make anyone, especially women, happy.
I oopsy-daisys on a skirt
He thinks of women as disposable and is not afraid to have sex with them.
From barely managing to mansions
He went from struggling financially to owning luxurious mansions.
Where ho's call me Mr. Anderson
Women call him by a nickname, showing how familiar they are with him.
Command a bitch, no I don't own the pussy I just sample it
He does not think of women as his property, but rather as objects to be used for his pleasure.
I got a couple marbles missing I know
He acknowledges that he is not perfect and has some flaws.
Now there's marbles all on the floor
His flaws have become visible and he must deal with the consequences.
On the bathroom, kitchen and stove
The marbles are everywhere, even in places where they are not supposed to be.
I got bitches on my cellular callin and confessing
Women are always calling him, telling him their secrets and wanting to be with him.
But I don't reply cause that's the clearest way to send a message
He ignores these women to show that he is not interested and does not want to get involved.
Paper running through my jugular
Money is flowing through his veins, meaning it is an essential part of his life.
I'm blowing loud, throwing thous', getting drunk
He is smoking marijuana, spending thousands of dollars, and getting drunk.
You know my style
He is proud of his reputation and image.
And my momma say she still proud, that's mula
His mother is proud of him because he is successful and wealthy.
Scared money never gon' make nothin' (that's right)
You cannot make money if you are too afraid to take risks.
Gotta get it in medula (waist band)
He keeps money in his waistband to keep it safe.
Couple dollars in the waist band (that's right)
He only keeps a small amount of money in his waistband, just in case he needs it.
Nigga hula-hoop with the mula
He enjoys playing with his money, as if it is a toy or a hula-hoop.
Everyday that I wake I say grace
He is grateful for his success and makes sure to give thanks every day.
Hallelujah welcome back like Mase
He welcomes himself back to success, like rapper Mase did when he returned to music.
Bitches only fuck niggas with the cream
Women are only attracted to men who have money and success.
A nigga this fresh ain't never gon' date
He is too confident and successful to bother with relationships.
Ay, they say we can't maintain
People doubt his ability to maintain his success.
Only real niggas remain
He believes that only the strongest and most successful people will be able to keep up with him.
'Ye say that we the new slaves
He is referring to Kanye West's statement that black people are modern-day slaves.
I need to ball with a chain
He needs to show off his wealth and success with a necklace.
I got a real bad bitch I haven't seen her in a month
He has not had sex with an attractive woman in a month, and is ready to see someone new.
With twins so big she can put 'em in the bunk
He is talking about a woman with large breasts, so big they can be used as pillows.
Oh I love it when she drop it and spread it like time
He enjoys when a woman bends over and shows off her body.
When I see her camel all I wanna do hump
He is attracted to women with curvy figures, specifically referencing a woman's cameltoe.
Okay the Hall of Fame keep callin' my name
He is becoming more successful and is about to become a legend.
Got a mural on the wall I'ma legend
He is so successful that his image is painted on a wall like a legend.
From the motor city and been have drive
He is from Detroit and has always been ambitious and driven.
I just need a little gas in my engine
He only needs a small boost to keep his success going.
Okay, we all in the game we ballin' the same
He and his friends are all successful and enjoying their wealth.
Home team nigga thats a blessing
Being successful with his friends and home community is a blessing.
I'm a bad mothafucker just tryna get some credit
He is successful and powerful, but wants to be recognized for his accomplishments.
So good it can get my into heaven, nigga
His success and wealth are so great that he can be proud of them, even in the afterlife.
Lyrics © RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC
Written by: ALEXANDER IZQUIERDO, EARL PATRICK TAYLOR, ROBERT WILLIAMS, SEAN MICHAEL ANDERSON, TAUHEED EPPS, TYREE PITTMAN, TYREE LAMAR PITTMAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@moneymakinmitch8130
I miss when everybody would hop on a song and make McMaster pieces like this this was a good era
@dchamp9396
Am I the only one that thought Early Mac went in at the end? Props to Sean for giving his homie that spot on his album.
@amarecarter8633
2 Chainz SLAUGHTERED THIS!!! Still bumpin in 2019!!
@thanekrios5023
DAMN MEEEK MILL WAS SO HARD ON THIS.
@jahlengarcia4954
fuk yea
@cando4294
2024 Gang! Used to bump the shit out of this
@danterosenberg7506
Big Sean love those Matrix references 😂
@anuranjandubey7193
Earlly Mac go hard with this one.
@cypherblurr9642
Milly goin INNNNNNN. SO much better than the original
@BlivvyTheOne
First Mula, then Guap, wats next Dinero