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.
What Goes Around
Big Sean Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And I don't ever wanna come down
Baby, tell me it's time to go
Tell me I gotta leave, then tell me I gotta stay
Tell me I'm all you need
Understand that what goes around comes around
And I don't ever wanna come down
Tell me it's not me
Tell me I gotta go, then tell me I'm all you need
Understand, I am
The renowned, newest talk of the town
When erry'body talk and just keeps on talkin' about
Whats up? tellin' girls "You should call if you down"
And if my phone doesn't ring, then leave it after the pound
'Cause I be up in the air, more than I do on the ground
My city is on my hat, and I'm wearin' it like a crown (Westside)
You're now rockin' with' somebody on they fuckin' bidness
Watch me do it big, no pun intended (Boi)
See, I done seen nights turn to days
Love turn to hate, hugs turn to laids
Niggas turn to sirs, Andre to Spades
'Cause when it turns real, that's when everybody turns fake
Instead of sayin' fuck all 'a y'all and turning away
Man, I was cool enough to say "Fuck it" and let 'em stay
Fuck, I hate to say I told you so
So buying rounds is my way of saying "Told you, hoes"
Understand that what goes around comes around
And I don't ever wanna come down
Baby, tell me it's time to go
Tell me I gotta leave, then tell me I gotta stay
Tell me I'm all you need
Understand that what goes around comes around
And I don't ever wanna come down
So, baby, tell me who the best
Tell me it's not me
Tell me I gotta go, then tell me I'm all you need
Now, I can't tell what's a better accessory
My new watch, or the chick that's standin' right next to me
Killin' niggas at rap, but being the man's my specialty
I love shitting on all my exes especially
Double shots, then re-reload
Let's toast to the interns that made it to CEO
Boss player, collectin' every single check that's owed out
Puttin' on a show until everything is sold out
Man, I'm chillin' with' Jays, 'Ye's, and Common Senses
It's crazy when legends are peers and your competition
I would hate to be a almost nigga
I call ya that, 'cause you gossip like y'all almost bitches
You know, went to school with Jay, and was almost Jigga
Or hooped against LeBron and would almost get 'em
Y'all niggas make me realize how good almost isn't
Would hate to look back on my life and say "I almost did it"
Fuck that, reflectin' on the last chain I bought
They on my tracks, waitin' on the next train of thought
Visualizin' how the crown might be
Got the whole rap game tryna sound like me
Understand that what goes around comes around
And I don't ever wanna come down
Baby, tell me it's time to go
Tell me I gotta leave, then tell me I gotta stay
Tell me I'm all you need
Understand that what goes around comes around
And I don't ever wanna come down
So, baby, tell me who the best
Tell me it's not me
Tell me I gotta go, then tell me I'm all you need
Yeah yeah yeah
This dedicated to my ex girls, both of 'em
It's also dedicated to everybody who be talkin' shit behind my back
Ya'know when I see y'all, y'all act like "Aw, I'm so happy for you"
That's some bitch-ass shit, nigga boi
Understand that what goes around comes around
(This also dedicated to everybody who's fuckin' winnin' today)
And I don't ever wanna come down
Baby, tell me it's time to go
(Everybody gettin' it)
(After niggas said you couldn't get it)
Understand that what goes around comes around
And I don't ever wanna come down
(G.O.O.D. Music and the best)
So, baby, tell me who the best
(No I.D.!)
In "What Goes Around" by Big Sean, he reflects on his success and his popularity, acknowledging that he is the talk of the town. He warns those around him that what goes around comes around, and he doesn't ever want to come down from his success. He asks to be validated by the people around him, telling them to tell him he's the best, then tell him he's not, and to tell him he's all they need, then tell him to leave. Basically, he doesn't want people who are false or insincere around him.
The setting of the song is apparently in a bar, with Big Sean buying rounds as a way of saying "told you," and toasting to the interns who made it to CEO. He reflects on his experiences with certain people in his life who were insincere, who almost made it but ultimately didn't, and those who gossip. He also dedicates the song to his ex-girlfriends and those who talk behind his back but pretend to be happy for him when they see him. The song is a reflection on how celebrity culture makes everything seem fake and insincere, but Sean is trying to keep things real.
Line by Line Meaning
Understand that what goes around comes around
Realize that the consequences of your actions will come back to you eventually
And I don't ever wanna come down
I don't want to lose the high of success and happiness
Baby, tell me it's time to go
Tell me when it's time for me to move on to the next level
Tell me I gotta leave, then tell me I gotta stay
Give me mixed signals about what I should do or where I should be
Tell me I'm all you need
Make me feel important and valued
Understand, I am
I am aware and confident in my abilities
The renowned, newest talk of the town
I am well-known and a hot topic in the community
When erry'body talk and just keeps on talkin' about
Everyone is discussing me and my success
Whats up? tellin' girls "You should call if you down"
Asking girls if they're interested in me and should contact me if they are
And if my phone doesn't ring, then leave it after the pound
If no one reaches out, I'm not going to dwell on it and will move on
'Cause I be up in the air, more than I do on the ground
I'm always busy and on the go, hardly having any down time
My city is on my hat, and I'm wearin' it like a crown (Westside)
I represent and take pride in where I come from
You're now rockin' with' somebody on they fuckin' bidness
You're dealing with someone who is focused and involved in their own success
Watch me do it big, no pun intended (Boi)
I'm going to succeed and make it big, without being arrogant about it
See, I done seen nights turn to days
I've been through a lot and seen things change drastically
Love turn to hate, hugs turn to laids
Relationships can quickly turn negative and sour
Niggas turn to sirs, Andre to Spades
People's true character is revealed when things get real
'Cause when it turns real, that's when everybody turns fake
When the going gets tough, people often show their true colors and become fake
Instead of sayin' fuck all 'a y'all and turning away
Instead of getting angry and walking away from these fake people
Man, I was cool enough to say "Fuck it" and let 'em stay
I'm mature enough to let things go and continue relationships, even with those who are fake
Fuck, I hate to say I told you so
I don't like being right and proving someone wrong
So buying rounds is my way of saying "Told you, hoes"
Instead, I compensate by buying drinks for my friends and celebrating my achievements
Now, I can't tell what's a better accessory
I have so many great things in my life that it's hard to choose what's the best
My new watch, or the chick that's standin' right next to me
I have material possessions and a partner that are equally valuable to me
Killin' niggas at rap, but being the man's my specialty
My talent is in music and entertainment, but my true strength is in being a leader and boss
I love shitting on all my exes especially
I take pleasure in proving my doubters wrong, especially those who were once close to me
Double shots, then re-reload
Drinking heavily, then partying even harder
Let's toast to the interns that made it to CEO
Celebrating success and achievements, even for those who started at the bottom
Boss player, collectin' every single check that's owed out
I'm a confident and successful boss, always making sure I'm receiving what I'm owed
Puttin' on a show until everything is sold out
I'm dedicated to my success and will keep going until I've accomplished everything I want to
Man, I'm chillin' with' Jays, 'Ye's, and Common Senses
I'm hanging out with some of the biggest names in music and entertainment
It's crazy when legends are peers and your competition
It's surreal to be competing and collaborating with people I admire and look up to
I would hate to be a almost nigga
I wouldn't want to be someone who came close to success but never quite made it
I call ya that, 'cause you gossip like y'all almost bitches
I'm calling out people who talk behind my back and are never happy for me
You know, went to school with Jay, and was almost Jigga
I was close to being as successful as Jay-Z, but never quite got there
Or hooped against LeBron and would almost get 'em
I played basketball against LeBron James and almost beat him
Y'all niggas make me realize how good almost isn't
Not achieving success is not good enough for me, I need to truly succeed
Would hate to look back on my life and say "I almost did it"
I wouldn't be satisfied with almost achieving my goals, I want to fully reach them
Fuck that, reflectin' on the last chain I bought
I'm not going to focus on almost achieving success, instead I'm going to celebrate what I already have
They on my tracks, waitin' on the next train of thought
My followers and fans are eagerly waiting for my next project or idea
Visualizin' how the crown might be
I'm imagining what it would be like to truly succeed and have power
Got the whole rap game tryna sound like me
I'm a trendsetter and influencer in the music industry
This dedicated to my ex girls, both of 'em
I'm dedicating this song to my past relationships, both good and bad
It's also dedicated to everybody who be talkin' shit behind my back
I'm calling out those who spread rumors and hate about me without confronting me directly
Ya'know when I see y'all, y'all act like "Aw, I'm so happy for you"
When I see these people in person, they pretend to be happy for me and my achievements
That's some bitch-ass shit, nigga boi
This behavior is cowardly and petty, and I'm not going to stand for it
(Everybody gettin' it)
Everyone is succeeding and making moves
(After niggas said you couldn't get it)
Despite doubters and haters, I've still achieved success
(G.O.O.D. Music and the best)
I represent G.O.O.D. Music, and I'm a top performer and artist
(No I.D.!)
I'm shouting out my producer, No I.D., for his contributions to my success
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ERNEST DION WILSON, SEAN MICHAEL ANDERSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@user-cq1yb8hh3d
Still here in 2023 ...
This song brings back so many memories!!
@Gofroze
One of the best albums of all time
@itsalisworld5397
Big sean is way too slept on even to this day
@randynsimba426
Fr
@SILVERONIN
The song that got me through rough times and made me feel like a champion
@BabyOfTheLord
This makes me cry cuz it brings back so many memories from Freshman year of high school. I'm 24 now...
@jakeschaper7370
Same here 😤💪
@ImSoCle216
The math ain't mathing I was in High School in 2011 I was a Sophomore and I'm almost 30
@BabyOfTheLord
@@ImSoCle216 Well it was already a couple years old when I started listening to it from what I remember, his Hall Of Fame album was the new one at the time
@ImSoCle216
@@BabyOfTheLord Oh okay I appreciate anyone a fan of Big Sean one of my favorite rappers of all time