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.
So Much More
Big Sean Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
(Dream of finding so much more)
For the city man
Feeling like I got the cheat code to life
Jewelry looking like it got free throwed in ice
Debatin' with the reaper not to repo my life
Cause in my twenty three years I done lived a couple lives
The girls that was outta my league tryna play with my balls
I pay bills, I work hard
And when my momma cried a river, they never gave us a bridge
They gave us a bridge card, nigga
Ridin' low, puffin on laow
I came way too far to fuck it up now
Text from my mom said "me and your grandma proud"
I'm way too deep in the game to go sit back in the crowd
Teacher told me get a job, save up for a four oh one K
Man I'd rather be young and shit, countin' four oh one K
I'd rather die with a smile instead
I'm just multiplying my money and dividing the legs
B-I
(Been this way before)
But I'm never dividing the bread
(Dream of finding so much more)
Bitch I bet I get the debit if I don't get the cred (I deserve)
Throwin' westside up like Pac, when they pop ya block up,
Big Poppa flock off, you holy lil' whoadie holy Kenobi, chewbacca
I'm Balenciaga, Chanel, Hermes but I betchu that you won't find it
Rocking Louie and MC'ing
Guess I'm clothes minded
Obama suite, you one below, up in the Joe Biden
I'm in your city just chillin', where are your hoes hiding?
Twenty k for the fit because it's twenty four carats
And I can't lie, the price'll probably go up when I wear it
I'm just D-Town reppin'
And makin' all these niggas who second guessed it regret it
Regret it like half the hoes I smashed in the sheets
At least I realize now how much I loved Ashlee Marie
And when it's all said and done I'd probably give her my knee
Cause she put up with too many games not to have her a ring
Man she almost cried when she seen me on TV on BET
Just making it seem easy
Standing next to Common Sense and Yeezy
(Been this way before)
And the whole world's seen me
(Dream of finding so much more)
Bitch I know you seen me
Like, man, I wake up to a wet dream
Everyday's a Friday and every nights a sex scene
Every week is fashion week and every day I'm pressed clean
Detroit's Angel, I even got red wings
I'm headed to the ball, me and three prom queens
My life's prom night and guess who the Prom King
They having a kissing fight and I'm Don King
Erry'body know I'm coming soon like LeBron's ring"
Tell me that wasn't verse of the year
Man that shit deserves a hearse and a tear
Swear to God I'm overlaid, all my girls get overfucked
All my deals be overpaid and all my joints get over stuffed
Finally Famous bitch, there ain't a fucking thing that's over us
So take that check out and owe it up
Man I turned impossible possible
And what these niggas can barely see in the optical
The same teacher who told me rappin' is what not to do
Said I'm throwin' my life away if I drop outta school
Want me to come speak to the kids, the point I gotta prove
Is that I did everything they told me not to do
After I went down the road, they told me not to cruise
They ain't know that was my road to success
Now my picture on the wall hanging to help the kids follow through
My dream girl is every night, my dream car is optional
My old school look like a T-Rex, I should feed her fossil fuels
(Been this way before)
Man, I turn my enemies to molecules
(Dream of finding so much more)
Little hoes
Without any preparation, I exceed these expectations
Man, they wanna see me dead, but I gave them dedication
I'm yellin' fuck 'em all, with a hundred exclamations
Cause I'ma be the man til my fucking expiration
B-I-G, I do it
This goes out to my motha'fucking city
Detroit, Westside to be exact
Right over there on Northline man...
(Been this way before)
(Dream of finding so much more)
(Been this way before)
(Dream of finding so much more)
In his song "So Much More," Big Sean reflects on his journey to success and the obstacles he had to overcome to get there. The first part of the chorus states that he has "been this way before" and dreams of "finding so much more." He goes on to talk about how he feels like he has a cheat code to life, but also acknowledges the hard work and struggles that have brought him to where he is. He mentions the challenges he faced growing up, including financial difficulties and not having the support of a bridge, but says that he is determined to keep pushing forward regardless. He also talks about his love for his city and how his experiences have shaped him into the man he is today.
One interesting aspect of this song is Big Sean's use of wordplay and puns throughout the lyrics. He references basketball with his jewelry looking like it got "free throwed in ice" and mentions "counting 401K" as a play on the term. He also cleverly uses the term "overlaid" to describe his success, which could refer to being overburdened or having too many obligations, but in this context, means that he is riding a high wave of success.
Another notable aspect of this song is the way Big Sean talks about his relationships. He mentions the girls who were "out of his league" but now want to "play with his balls," and also reflects on his past relationships, including his love for Ashlee Marie. He mentions wanting to give her his "knee" as a way of showing his commitment to her, which is a different take on the traditional proposal of a ring.
Line by Line Meaning
(Been this way before)
Big Sean has been dreaming of achieving greatness far before he found success.
(Dream of finding so much more)
Big Sean's aspirations were always about achieving more than what he has now.
Feeling like I got the cheat code to life
Big Sean feels like he has the secret to making it in life.
Jewelry looking like it got free throwed in ice
Big Sean's jewelry is so extravagant that it looks like it was shot with a basketball into a bucket of ice.
Debatin' with the reaper not to repo my life
Big Sean is pleading with death to spare his life.
Cause in my twenty three years I done lived a couple lives
Big Sean has experienced many things that have made him grow and mature beyond his years.
Like why? 'cause I stunt, bags of trees, like its fall
Big Sean lives an extravagant lifestyle with plenty of money and weed.
The girls that was outta my league tryna play with my balls
Women that were once unattainable now want to be with Big Sean.
I pay bills, I work hard
Big Sean is a responsible adult that works hard to pay his bills.
And when my momma cried a river, they never gave us a bridge
Big Sean's family has struggled financially and never received help from anyone.
They gave us a bridge card, nigga
Big Sean's family was given government assistance in the form of a bridge card.
Ridin' low, puffin on laow
Big Sean enjoys smoking weed while driving in a low-riding car.
I came way too far to fuck it up now
Big Sean has worked too hard to let his success go to waste.
Text from my mom said "me and your grandma proud"
Big Sean's family is proud of his accomplishments.
I'm way too deep in the game to go sit back in the crowd
Big Sean has come too far to take a step back from his music career.
Teacher told me get a job, save up for a four oh one K
A teacher once tried to discourage Big Sean from pursuing a rap career by suggesting he work a regular job and save for retirement.
Man I'd rather be young and shit, countin' four oh one K
Big Sean values his youth and would rather enjoy life now than save money for later.
I'd rather die with a smile instead
Big Sean would rather live life to the fullest and die happy than save everything for retirement.
I'm just multiplying my money and dividing the legs
Big Sean is making money and enjoying the company of women.
And I can't lie, the price'll probably go up when I wear it
Big Sean's expensive jewelry will increase in value when he wears it.
Man she almost cried when she seen me on TV on BET
A girl named Ashlee Marie was with Big Sean before his fame and was emotional when she saw him on TV.
I'm headed to the ball, me and three prom queens
Big Sean is going to a fancy event with three beautiful women.
(Been this way before)
Despite his success, Big Sean is still the same person he always was.
(Dream of finding so much more)
Big Sean still dreams of achieving even greater things in the future.
Man, I turn my enemies to molecules
Big Sean is so successful that he destroys anyone who opposes him.
Without any preparation, I exceed these expectations
Big Sean surpasses expectations without even trying.
Man, they wanna see me dead, but I gave them dedication
People may wish for Big Sean's demise, but his dedication to his craft keeps him going.
B-I-G, I do it
Big Sean confidently claims that he is a big shot.
This goes out to my motha'fucking city
Big Sean dedicates this song to his hometown of Detroit.
Detroit, Westside to be exact
Big Sean specifically represents the Westside of Detroit.
Right over there on Northline man...
Big Sean is referencing a street in his hometown.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ROGER TROUTMAN, LARRY TROUTMAN, SEAN ANDERSON, ERNEST WILSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind