Big Sean

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Big Sean
Big Sean Jean Jacket.PNG
Background information
Birth name Sean Michael Anderson
Born (1988-03-25) March 25, 1988 (age 25)
Santa Monica, California
Origin Detroit, Michigan, United States
Genres Hip hop
Occupations Rapper, singer, songwriter
Years active 2003–present
Labels GOOD Music, Def Jam
Associated acts

GOOD Music, Kanye West, Mike Posner, Wiz Khalifa, Chris Brown, Tyga, Lil Wayne

uknowbigsean.com

Sean Michael Anderson (born March 25, 1988),[1] better known by his stage name Big Sean, is an American rapper. Big Sean signed with Kanye West's GOOD Music in 2007, and then in 2008 signed with Def Jam Recordings. After releasing a couple mixtapes Sean released his debut album Finally Famous in 2011 and is scheduled to release his second studio album Hall of Fame in June 2013.

Contents

Biography [edit]

Early life and career beginnings [edit]

Sean Michael Anderson was born in Santa Monica, California, and he moved at two months old to west Detroit (6 Mile and Wyoming), where he was raised by his mother and grandmother.[2][3] He attended Detroit Waldorf School and graduated from Cass Technical High School with a 3.7 GPA.[4] Big Sean is often heard saying "west side" in his songs; he is referring to the west side of his hometown Detroit, Michigan. In his later years in high school, Sean gained a valuable relationship with Detroit hip-hop station WHTD; he would show his rhyming skills on a weekly basis as part of a rap battle contest held by the station.[5] In 2005, Kanye West was doing a radio interview at 102.7 FM. Hearing about this, Sean headed over to the station to meet West and perform some freestyle. Initially Kanye was reluctant to hear the emcee, however he gave Sean 16 bars to rap for him. According to Big Sean, Kanye enjoyed his freestyle: "As we get to the entrance of the radio station ... we stopped in the middle of the doorway. He starts looking at me and bobbing his head,".[6] After the freestyle, Sean left Kanye his demo tape. Two years later, West signed Big Sean to GOOD Music.

2007–2010: Mixtapes and internet following [edit]

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.[7] Sean released a third mixtape hosted by Don Cannon on August 31, 2010 called Finally Famous Vol. 3: BIG. Features include Bun B, Chip tha Ripper, Curren$y, SAYITAINTTONE, Tyga, Drake, Mike Posner, Suai, Chuck Inglish, Asher Roth, Dom Kennedy, Boldy James, and Chiddy Bang. The mixtape includes 20 tracks.[8]

An unauthorized leak of his collaboration with Drake, called "Made" made its way onto the internet on April 30, 2010. In an interview with TheHipHopUpdate.com on May 1, Big Sean expressed his disappointment over the leak, calling it an unfinished version both musically and verse wise. Big Sean's official Facebook page confirmed that his debut album Finally Famous & Consequence's Cons TV would be released on September 14, 2010. On August 31, Big Sean tweeted that the album was not coming out on that day, but it would be coming out sometime in 2011.[9]

2011–present: Finally Famous and mainstream success [edit]

Big Sean performing in London, September 2012.

In an interview on Conspiracy Worldwide Radio, Sean discussed the role Kanye West and No I.D. have had in the development of his first studio album's sonic direction as well as the challenges of being inside the studio with West. The album's lead single, "My Last", features vocals from Chris Brown and was produced by No I.D.[10] According to Amazon.com, Big Sean's Finally Famous was delayed by a week, with a tentative release date set for June 28. Big Sean has revealed the cover art for his G.O.O.D. Music debut and explained that the one-week pushback was to be blamed on sample and feature clearance issues.[11] The official tracklist was revealed on June 7.[12]

Finally Famous, Sean's debut studio album, was released June 28, 2011, and spawned three hit singles; "My Last", "Marvin & Chardonnay" and "Dance (A$$)". The album featured guest appearances from Lupe Fiasco, John Legend, Pharrell, Kanye West, Roscoe Dash, Wiz Khalifa, Chiddy Bang, Rick Ross, Pusha T and included production from No I.D., The Legendary Traxster, Andrew "Pop" Wansel, Xaphoon Jones and The Neptunes.[13][14][15][16] 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 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.[17] However, Wiz Khalifa later confirmed that there would be no mixtape, claiming that the songs were created, "just for fun". Big Sean was arrested on August 4, 2011 for sexual assault at a concert in Lewiston, New York.[18] On October 26, 2011, Big Sean pleaded guilty to second degree unlawful imprisonment, and was fined $750. The charges of third-degree sexual abuse were dropped. Big Sean's attorney, Scott Leemon, stated that Big Sean "...did not engage in any type of sexual misconduct.”[19]

In September 2011, Big Sean confirmed in an interview with the Daily Tribune that he'll be working on his sophomore album during the I Am Finally Famous Tour and plans to release the album sometime in 2012.[20] On October 19, 2011, Kanye West announced on his Twitter plans for a Spring 2012 GOOD Music album release.[21] On April 6, 2012, "Mercy", the lead single from the GOOD Music compilation album, Cruel Summer, was released.[22] The song, produced by newly-signed in-house producer Lifted, features Big Sean along with Kanye West, Pusha T and southern rapper 2 Chainz.[23] Big Sean then announced his fourth mixtape would be titled "Detroit" and would serve as a lead-in to his second studio album. [21] He then began promoting the mixtape, releasing short versions of the songs on his YouTube page.

Personal life [edit]

It was announced on April 8th 2013 that he is currently dating Glee star Naya Rivera.[24]

Style and clothing [edit]

In late October 2008, Big Sean was featured in The Source and headlined the "Style" section of the magazine.[25] In the article Sean talks about his own personal style and states that his favorite clothing brands are 10 Deep, Billionaire Boys Club, and Bape. Big Sean also posed in the Winter 2008 Billionaire Boys Club lookbook.[26] Big Sean is also a consistent representative of Ti$A[27] clothing and hats, along with Chris Brown and Tyga. Ti$A is a vintage company run by fellow G.O.O.D Music recording artist Taz Arnold. Big Sean is also a follower of the Rosewood clothing style.[28]

Discography [edit]

Studio albums
Collaborative albums

Television [edit]

  • 2010 BET Hip-Hop Awards Cypher (Kanye West, Pusha T, CyHi Da Prynce, Big Sean & Common)

Awards & Recognition [edit]

BET Awards [edit]

Year Recipient Award Result
2012 Big Sean Best Male Hip-Hop Artist Nominated
Best New Artist Won
"Marvin & Chardonnay" (with Kanye West and Roscoe Dash) Best Collaboration Nominated

Billboard Music Awards [edit]

Year Recipient Award Result
2012 Big Sean Top New Artist Nominated
2013 "Mercy" (with Kanye West, Pusha T, and 2 Chainz) Top Rap Song Pending

Grammy Awards [edit]

Year Recipient Award Result
2013 "Mercy" (with Kanye West, Pusha T and 2 Chainz) Best Rap Song Nominated
Best Rap Performance Nominated

MTV Video Music Awards [edit]

Year Recipient Award Result
2011 "My Last" Best New Artist Nominated
2012 "Mercy" (with Kanye West, Pusha T and 2 Chainz) Best Hip-Hop Video Nominated

BET Hip Hop Awards [edit]

Year Recipient Award Result
2011 Big Sean Rookie of the year Nominated
Finally Famous CD of the Year Nominated
"My Last" (with Chris Brown) Best Hip-Hop Video Nominated
Track of the Year Nominated
2012 "Mercy" (with Kanye West, Pusha T and 2 Chainz) Best Hip-Hop Video Nominated
Best Club Banger Nominated
Reese's Perfect Combo Award Won
Big Sean Made You Look Award Nominated

References [edit]

  1. ^ Big Sean (March 25, 2010). "Happy Birthday to Me". Wordpress. Retrieved May 24, 2011. 
  2. ^ Jeffries, David. "Big Sean Biography". allmusic.com. Retrieved March 22, 2011. 
  3. ^ "Big Sean bio". Def Jam. Retrieved March 22, 2011. 
  4. ^ "Big Sean biography". Music Industry Digital. Retrieved March 22, 2011. 
  5. ^ Ketchum, William E. III (August 20, 2008). "Son of the streets". Detroit Metro Times. Retrieved March 22, 2011. 
  6. ^ "Kanye West Almost Walked Away From Latest Protege Big Sean". MTV. 2009-06-18. Archived from the original on 26 April 2010. Retrieved 2010-05-28. 
  7. ^ http://www.mickboogie.com/ retrieved on 2009-03-18.
  8. ^ "The Signal". Gsusignal.com. 2010-09-14. Archived from the original on 11 July 2011. Retrieved 2011-05-25. 
  9. ^ [1][dead link]
  10. ^ "New Music: Big Sean f/ Chris Brown – ‘My Last’". Rap-Up.com. Retrieved 2011-05-25. 
  11. ^ by J-23 (2011-05-15). "Big Sean Reveals Cover Art For "Finally Famous," Explains Delay | Get The Latest Hip Hop News, Rap News & Hip Hop Album Sales". HipHop DX. Archived from the original on 25 May 2011. Retrieved 2011-05-25. 
  12. ^ Big Sean Finally Famous Tracklist. Killerhiphop.com (2011-06-08). Retrieved on 2011-06-16.
  13. ^ "Exclusive Interview with Big Sean x Live in Toledo". mostlyjunkfood.com. 2010-06-21. Retrieved 2011-05-25. 
  14. ^ "New Mixtape: Big Sean Finally Famous Vol. 3". Rap Radar. 2010-08-31. Archived from the original on 3 July 2011. Retrieved 2011-05-25. 
  15. ^ Big sean retrieved on 2009-03-18.
  16. ^ December 3, 2009 (2009-12-03). "Big Sean brings the hip-hop — Western Herald". Westernherald.com. Retrieved 2011-05-25. 
  17. ^ Lane, Brian (July 20, 2011). "Wiz Khalifa x Curren$y x Big Sean mixtape on the way". Interview. Retrieved July 20, 2011. 
  18. ^  . "Rapper 'Big Sean' faces charge after concert - YNN, Your News Now". Buffalo.ynn.com. Retrieved 2012-03-30. 
  19. ^ Pfeiffer, Rick. "Rapper Big Sean takes plea deal in Lewiston court » Local News". Niagara Gazette. Retrieved 2012-03-30. 
  20. ^ Horowitz, Steven J. (2011-09-09). "Big Sean Working With Producer Exile For Sophomore Album | Get The Latest Hip Hop News, Rap News & Hip Hop Album Sales". HipHop DX. Retrieved 2012-03-30. 
  21. ^ a b "Tweet 126770388121292800". Twitter. October 19, 2011. 
  22. ^ "Mercy (feat. Big Sean, Pusha T, 2 Chainz) - Single". iTunes. April 6, 2012. 
  23. ^ "G.O.O.D Music - Mercy". DJBooth.net. April 6, 2012. Retrieved April 9, 2012. 
  24. ^ http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2306747/Glee-star-Naya-Rivera-rapper-Big-Sean-make-couple-debut-42-premiere.html?ito=feeds-newsxml
  25. ^ retrieved on 2009-03-18.
  26. ^ "retrieved on 2009-03-18". Bbcicecream.com. Archived from the original on 15 May 2011. Retrieved 2011-05-25. 
  27. ^ "Ti$A Online Shop — Home". Shoptisa.bigcartel.com. Retrieved 2011-05-25. 
  28. ^ A jpg poster

External links [edit]