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 JhenΓ© 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 βSean Anderson Foundation,β 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 βMoguls in the Making.β
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 JhenΓ© 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 JhenΓ© 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, JhenΓ© 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, JhenΓ© 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.
Sunday Morning Jetpack
Big Sean Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
'Cause he the reason I'm able to give back
This feel like my Sunday morning jetpack
Feel like I sent the prayers up and got blessed back, whoa
Feel like I sent the prayers up and got blessed back
This feel like my Sunday morning jetpack, yeah
This the feeling though that I been missing some days
This feel like the family dinners that we used to have on Sunday
With Grandma in the kitchen making rum cake
Or this spread she used to do for Thanksgiving, man
This feels like the first time I heard Killa Cam
Pink Tim's, in the Lamb
Mixing it with Dilla and
Headphones to the ceiling fan
Bucket hat like Gilligan, yeah
Lately I've been talking to ghosts
Didn't learn faith in school but that's what I'm testing the most
You know I still rep you when you're gone though
I got a picture of us on the front lawn
With me, grandma and mom, that night I went off to prom
Wishin' you could see that Lysol Dijon and Parmesan
Funny thing about it you always act like you knew
You told me how you were feeling before it happened, before it do
And you taught me I'm a product of everything I go through
And you and grandma went broke so we would never get bruised
You the reason I ever touched my first Franklin
Fast forward, I'm in Kanye crib with Kirk Franklin
It reminded me how of we always used to dress up as a family
And go to Sunday service, and being in church, singin'
Ain't been to church in awhile
But it ain't just about how you just praise him in the building
It's about how you praisin' him while you out
You taught me to remember that when I get set back
Been through the worst times to get the best back
Wishin' for a time machine to jet back
'Til my all time low and something throw me a jetpack, whoa
And see you again, needless to say
Back when I dated Alisha, Simone
Or any other girl who looked like Lisa Bonet
Who was jealous of me and JhenΓ©
Who you would always advise with me being away
You was right, but I had to learn for myself
I guess a time came for me to earn for myself
I hope that this is somewhat of a thank you for all your help
Hope the angels take care of you 'til I see you myself
Thank you God for all my set backs
'Cause he the reason I'm able to give back
This feel like my Sunday morning jetpack
Feel like I sent the prayers up and got blessed back, whoa
Feel like I sent the prayers up and got blessed back
This feel like my Sunday morning jetpack
And mama said hit them with the inspiration
In times like these we need inspiration
Turn all your problems into inspiration
Elevation, inspiration
I said elevation, inspiration
I said elevation, inspiration
Thank you God for all my set backs
'Cause he the reason I'm able to give back
This feel like my Sunday morning jetpack
Feel like I sent the prayers up and got blessed back, whoa
In "Sunday Morning Jetpack," Big Sean expresses his gratitude to God and reflects on his journey thus far. He begins the first verse by thanking God for his setbacks because they ultimately led him to where he is now, able to give back to others. He compares this feeling to having a Sunday morning jetpack, a sense of spiritual power and positivity that he can carry with him throughout his daily life. He reminisces about his family and past experiences, including going to church on Sundays and spending time with his grandmother, who made rum cake and Thanksgiving spreads. Sean expresses his admiration for his grandmother and her strength, despite her financial struggles.
In the second verse, Sean reflects on his personal relationships and how they have helped shape him as a person. He mentions an ex-girlfriend, Alisha Simone, and another woman who was jealous of him and JhenΓ© Aiko. He acknowledges his mother's advice throughout his life and how her encouragement helped him grow and learn from his own mistakes. He ends the song with a message of hope and inspiration, encouraging listeners to turn their problems into a source of elevation and take inspiration from tough times.
Overall, "Sunday Morning Jetpack" is a song that emphasizes the power of faith in overcoming adversity and finding purpose in life. It is a tribute to those who have helped shape Sean's life, including his family and faith.
Line by Line Meaning
Thank you God for all my set backs
Grateful for setbacks as it taught me to give back to society
'Cause he the reason I'm able to give back
Acknowledging God's role in enabling him to give back
This feel like my Sunday morning jetpack
This is the feeling of being empowered and uplifted
Feel like I sent the prayers up and got blessed back, whoa
The feeling of prayers being answered and being blessed
This the feeling though that I been missing some days
The feeling of nostalgia for good times
This feel like I'm headed to paradise one way
The feeling of moving in the right direction towards happiness
This feel like the family dinners that we used to have on Sunday
The feeling of nostalgia for childhood memories
With Grandma in the kitchen making rum cake
Recollecting a happy moment with Grandma
Or this spread she used to do for Thanksgiving, man
Recollecting a happy moment from Thanksgiving
This feels like the first time I heard Killa Cam
Recollecting a happy moment of discovering new music
Pink Tim's, in the Lamb
The feeling of luxury and success
Mixing it with Dilla and
Enjoys mixing different music genres
Headphones to the ceiling fan
Visualizing a relaxing moment with music
Bucket hat like Gilligan, yeah
Wearing a trendy hat
Lately I've been talking to ghosts
Reflecting on past relationships
Didn't learn faith in school but that's what I'm testing the most
Reflecting on the importance of faith
You know I still rep you when you're gone though
Honors the memory of an inspirational person
I got a picture of us on the front lawn
Cherishing a happy moment in the past
With me, grandma and mom, that night I went off to prom
Remembering a special family moment
Wishin' you could see that Lysol Dijon and Parmesan
Wishing to share a special moment
Funny thing about it you always act like you knew
Reflecting on the wisdom imparted by a loved one
You told me how you were feeling before it happened, before it do
Remembering how a loved one predicted the future
And you taught me I'm a product of everything I go through
Learning life lessons from loved ones
And you and grandma went broke so we would never get bruised
Acknowledging the sacrifices made by loved ones
You the reason I ever touched my first Franklin
Grateful to a loved one for his first success
Fast forward, I'm in Kanye crib with Kirk Franklin
Acknowledging his current success
It reminded me how of we always used to dress up as a family
Remembering happy family moments at church
And go to Sunday service, and being in church, singin'
Enjoying the feeling of being with family at church
Ain't been to church in awhile
Reflecting on not having gone to church in a while
But it ain't just about how you just praise him in the building
Acknowledging that faith is not just about praising him in church
It's about how you praisin' him while you out
Believing in practicing faith in everyday life
You taught me to remember that when I get set back
Learning to stay positive during failures
Been through the worst times to get the best back
Believing in rising up after failures
Wishin' for a time machine to jet back
Wishing to go back in time to relive fond memories
'Til my all time low and something throw me a jetpack, whoa
Hopine to be uplifted during difficult times
And see you again, needless to say
Remembering a loved one who has passed
Back when I dated Alisha, Simone
Recalling past relationships with special people
Or any other girl who looked like Lisa Bonet
Recalling past relationships with special people
Who was jealous of me and JhenΓ©
Recalling past relationships with special people
Who you would always advise with me being away
Remembering wise advice given by loved ones
You was right, but I had to learn for myself
Realizing that loved ones were right but had to learn on his own
I guess a time came for me to earn for myself
Realizing the need to stand on his own feet
I hope that this is somewhat of a thank you for all your help
Thanking loved ones for their support
Hope the angels take care of you 'til I see you myself
Wishing loved ones well in the afterlife
And mama said hit them with the inspiration
Recalling mother's advice to be inspiring
In times like these we need inspiration
Believing in the need for inspiration during tough times
Turn all your problems into inspiration
Believing in finding inspiration from problems
Elevation, inspiration
Believing in uplifting oneself through inspiration
I said elevation, inspiration
Stressing the importance of elevation and inspiration
I said elevation, inspiration
Stressing the importance of elevation and inspiration
Lyrics Β© Universal Music Publishing Group, Songtrust Ave, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: AMAIRE JOHNSON, SEAN MICHAEL ANDERSON, TERIUS YOUNGDELL NASH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Jamie
been through the worst times to get the best back
wishin for a time machine to jet back
to my all time low self and throw me a jet pack
thank you god for all my setbacks
coz he the reason i'm able to get back
this feel like my sunday morning jet pack
feel like i sent the prayers up and got blessed back
feel like i sent the prayers up and got blessed back
i feel like i can feel jhenes inspiration in this somehow
Strawberry Crazycake
Big Sean got those lyrics that can make me cry but also help me feel betterπ₯π
Jamie
why does this have downvotes? this is one of the best songs ever made.
Konrad Homiak
Jamie Collins sometimes I donβt even know anymore with YouTube. I donβt know why anybody would downvote this song after listening
TheStashOfNash
Big Seans has killed it with his album. I'll be honest, before, my only impression of him was the song Ass and IDFWY, which didnt float my boat, but this album truly shows the talent you truly have and how you have contributed to the rap industry. Im glad i listened to the album. Because i did, i found Lights, an amazing intro track, Bounce Back, a killer single right beside Moves, No Favors and Sacrifices, which really expresses your rap potential in the best way possible, Sunday Morning Jetpack and Bigger than me, which to me shows your personality isnt all about you and shows a lot about how much you care for your family. Amazing artist man, i hope you do great things.
Regaria Adams
The Mexican Potato well U definitely need to go listen to dark sky paradise .that album was firre also
lomna17
Regaria Adams that album is deep
Marcell Daubenhauser
lomna17 deep as empty pockets?
Brandon Keith
The Mexican Potato same
Jared Murray
Big Sean is so good he impressed me a lot with IDFWY before hearing any of his albums
MissNWO
I love how he kept evolving all these years i know he Wont lose the success he's hard working and has millions of fans that will support him through his career we love you sean