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.
Too Fake
Big Sean Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
They say I'm too fake, fuck it I'm paid
I can't even find it, empty spot inside my safe
I got carnies on my eyes, Louis on my case
Lobster, shrimp, and calimari right here chilling on my plate
They say I'm too fake, fuck it I'm paid
I can't even find it, empty spot inside my safe
I got carnies on my eyes, Louis on my case
They tell me I'm on time, even when I'm late
Even if it's a lie they say everything is great
I'm grabbin' the fattest asses, just to see 'em shake
I swear I'm too real to be, I'm too real to be livin' so fake
[Chorus: hockey sample]
Look out!
Cause I'm just too fake for the world
I know it's just a game to me
I'm just too fake you see
I wish I didn't have to be but watch out
I got too much soul for the world
It's breaking my heart in two
I got too much soul for you
I don't like it but it's true
[Verse 2: Big Sean]
Yeah I know Sean, I swear that nigga ain't shit
Known him for forever and he ain't on the same shit
It breaks my heart when all the kids be yelling "You the mayne, Big"
He ain't no hometown hero, he on that LeBron James shit
Man I tell him suck my dick then choke on a nut
Cause when they see me it's oh Big was on
Man for the team, man, fam, or regime
Might knock down any door, open it up
Got old and now you startin' actin' different huh?
No really I wasn't fuckin' with you from the beginnin' bruh
Here we are, here we go, my circle tighter than a Cheerio
People want a handle like silver spoons
People want a handle like here you go
Man, the realest nigga I know is inside the mirror bro
And these fools be trippin' like a suitcase, a shoelace
They too fake, and I'm too real, yeah, boy
[Chorus: hockey sample]
Look out!
Cause I'm just too fake for the world
I know it's just a game to me
I'm just too fake you see
I wish I didn't have to be but watch out
I got too much soul for the world
It's breaking my heart in two
I got too much soul for you
I don't like it but it's true
Uh, I got too much soul for you, yeah
[Verse 3: Chiddy]
Fake it til you make it
What happens when you do?
Friends turn to strangers, so I'm a stranger, too
They want this or that
Boy gotta hustle like a flip or pack
Yeah go a nigga like get a scratch
When I hit the booth I came up with a sick attack
Oh yes, feelin' so strong we about to take the game like Conquest
Wish we fail, but they check pre-sales, and a hater gets proven wrong, yes
They just bantering, cause I'm not answering
Married to the music so I never give a hand a ring
But Chiddy jigga with these girls we be on the necks
And they get mad cause we really don't respond to text
Yeah, they say I, may be just on the shady side
Maybe I, grow so much and I smoke so much got a lazy eye
Yeah I'm too gone, this the new shit to get loose on
The boy Chiddy and Sean on a new song
If you ain't with it, tell me what the fuck you on
I said I in heads, made it off of Big chance
Yeah and still the game can make you fake like implant
I quit
[Chorus: hockey sample]
Look out!
Cause I'm just too fake for the world
I know it's just a game to me
I'm just too fake you see
I wish I didn't have to be but watch out
I got too much soul for the world
It's breaking my heart in two
I got too much soul for you
I don't like it but it's true
The song "Too Fake" by Big Sean featuring Chiddy is about the hypocrisy and inauthenticity in the music industry. The lyrics suggest that Big Sean is aware that people perceive him as fake, but he ignores those opinions because he is making money. He talks about his wealth and material possessions, indicating that they are the only thing that matter to him. The line "I'm just too real to be livin' so fake" implies that he is aware of the contradiction, but he chooses to ignore it.
In the chorus, the hockey sample reveals the internal struggle within both Big Sean and Chiddy. They feel like they have too much soul for the world but recognize that they have to play the game to succeed in the music industry. They wish they didn't have to be fake, but they feel like they have no choice. Chiddy's verse emphasizes the cost of inauthenticity, which is losing genuine connections with people because they only see the fake version of oneself.
Overall, the song is a commentary on the cutthroat nature of the music industry, where one has to balance authenticity with the need to make money.
Line by Line Meaning
They say I'm too fake, fuck it I'm paid
People accuse me of being fake, but since I'm financially successful, I don't care what they say.
I can't even find it, empty spot inside my safe
Even with all the money I have, I still feel empty and unfulfilled.
I got carnies on my eyes, Louis on my case
I'm wearing expensive designer Louis Vuitton clothes, with expensive jewelry as well.
Lobster, shrimp, and calimari right here chilling on my plate
I'm eating luxurious seafood dishes.
They tell me I'm on time, even when I'm late
Even if I'm running late, people will still say I'm on time to avoid upsetting me.
Even if it's a lie they say everything is great
People will pretend everything is okay even when it's not just to maintain my image.
I'm grabbin' the fattest asses, just to see 'em shake
I'm objectifying women and enjoying seeing their body parts move.
I swear I'm too real to be, I'm too real to be livin' so fake
I feel like I'm a genuine person, but my extravagant lifestyle and the way people treat me for it is fake.
Cause I'm just too fake for the world
I feel like I don't fit in with the world and my persona is contrived.
I know it's just a game to me
I recognize that my life is just a charade that I play along with.
I'm just too fake you see
I admit that I'm not authentic and I put on a front.
I wish I didn't have to be but watch out
Even though I don't like it, I have to maintain my fake personality to keep up my image.
I got too much soul for the world
I feel like I have more depth and authenticity than the external image I portray.
It's breaking my heart in two
I'm conflicted and upset about the dissonance between my true self and my fake persona.
Yeah I know Sean, I swear that nigga ain't shit
I've known Big Sean for a long time, but I don't think much of him as a person.
Known him for forever and he ain't on the same shit
Despite our long friendship, Big Sean hasn't changed his ways and doesn't share my values and priorities.
Friends turn to strangers, so I'm a stranger, too
Sometimes friendships change when one person becomes successful and it's hard to maintain old relationships, so I feel like a stranger to some people now.
They want this or that
People have expectations of me and want something from me.
Boy gotta hustle like a flip or pack
I have to work hard and be resourceful to fulfill people's expectations and maintain my image.
Yeah go a nigga like get a scratch
I'm taking risks and pushing myself to succeed.
When I hit the booth I came up with a sick attack
I'm an innovative and skilled rapper.
They just bantering, cause I'm not answering
Some people are just teasing me because I don't respond to their attempts to provoke or interact with me.
Married to the music so I never give a hand a ring
My focus is on my career and music, and I'm not interested in relationships or commitments.
But Chiddy jigga with these girls we be on the necks
Chiddy and I enjoy the attention of women and flirt with them.
And they get mad cause we really don't respond to text
Women get upset when we don't reply to their text messages, but we don't want them to get too attached or take it too seriously.
Yeah I'm too gone, this the new shit to get loose on
I'm relaxing and enjoying myself with new experiences and trends.
If you ain't with it, tell me what the fuck you on
If you don't like the way I'm living, then explain what you're doing instead.
I said I in heads, made it off of Big chance
I succeeded and came up with original ideas when given an opportunity.
Yeah and still the game can make you fake like implant
Even if you're authentic, the music industry can force you to create a persona that's not really you.
Look out!
Be careful and pay attention.
I don't like it but it's true
I'm not happy with the reality of my fake persona, but I acknowledge that it's real and necessary for my success.
Uh, I got too much soul for you, yeah
My true identity is full of soul and depth, not the superficial persona I put on for others.
Contributed by Jayden K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@dartisone
This age was amazing, cudi, mac miller, big sean, wiz when he was good, aaaaaaagh good and simple
Times.
@AlexMoore-nu5jm
dartisone don’t make me sad the good old
Days our now behind us let’s be greatful for the good ass times we look back on huh
@johanbell2527
Legit was the best summers alive.
@allencarabajal8989
Truest comment I’ve seen.
@rarepeppercooked9539
Madop
@sheeshaent
dartisone stop bro I don’t wana look back I agree totally there gonna be a resonance with music hopefully
@jackiewheeler8296
This song reminds me of late summer nights as a teenager, jumping fences, swimming in private pools, and drinking until morning.
@neilloireachtaigh2421
Ah I remember those times, I'm an alcoholic now so not much has changed, but it was easier
@ashertheaudiophile1917
Oh
@ashertheaudiophile1917
Private pool?