Big Sean is the stage name of Sean Michael Leonard Anderson, an American rapper born in 1988 and based in Santa Monica, United States. He starts recording in 2007 and emerges in 2010 after the release of his third mixtape, Finally Famous Vol. 3: Big.

Career

Big Sean first releases the mixtape Finally Famous: The Mixtape in 2007, followed by UKNOWBIGSEAN in 2009. In 2010 he releases Finally Famous Vol. 3: BIG, which helps build his profile and includes guest appearances from Bun B, Chip tha Ripper, Curren$y, Tyga, Drake, Mike Posner, Chuck Inglish, Asher Roth, Dom Kennedy and Chiddy Bang. He signs with G.O.O.D. Music and Def Jam Recordings, later recording as a solo artist and as part of the duo TWENTY88 with Jhené Aiko.

Albums and key singles

His debut studio album, Finally Famous, arrives in 2011 and includes the US top 10 single “Dance (Ass)” featuring Nicki Minaj, alongside “My Last” and “Marvin & Chardonnay”. The album also features Lupe Fiasco, John Legend, Pharrell, Kanye West, Roscoe Dash, Wiz Khalifa, Chiddy Bang, Rick Ross, Nicki Minaj and Pusha T, with production from No I.D., The Legendary Traxster, Andrew “Pop” Wansel, Xaphoon Jones and The Neptunes.

His second album, Hall of Fame, appears in 2013 and includes guest contributions from Lil Wayne, Miguel and Nas. Dark Sky Paradise follows and debuts at number one on the US Billboard 200, with singles including “I Don’t Fuck with You” featuring E-40 and “Blessings” featuring Drake. I Decided includes “Bounce Back”, his highest-charting US single and another number-one album debut. Detroit 2 is his fifth album and becomes his third consecutive platinum album, also debuting at number one on the Billboard 200.

Collaborations and side projects

Big Sean records the collaborative album Twenty88 with Jhené Aiko, released in 2016, and the pair also release the short film Out of Love built from material connected to the project. He later releases the EP What You Expect with Hit-Boy in 2021. He also releases the single “Hate Our Love” with Queen Naija in 2022, and another Twenty88 album remains in development.

Influences and recognition

He cites Kanye West, Eminem, The Notorious B.I.G. and J Dilla as influences. His work includes collaborations with major hip hop and R&B artists such as Nicki Minaj, Drake, E-40, Jhené Aiko, Lil Wayne, Miguel, Nas, 2 Chainz, Kanye West, Pusha T and many others. He also appears in a recurring role in the Showtime series Twenties from 2020, playing Tristan.

Other work

Big Sean founds the Sean Anderson Foundation in 2012 to support underserved children and families in Detroit. The foundation runs programmes including #HealFlintKids, Mogul Prep, D.O.N. Weekend and the Moguls in the Making scholarship competition, and it donates recording studios and other support to local institutions and youth organisations. He also participates in annual Thanksgiving givebacks in Detroit and releases a wellness and mental health video series through the foundation.

Labels and style

He records with G.O.O.D. Music and 0207 Def Jam, and his music is associated with hip hop, pop rap, R&B, southern hip hop and trap.