Big Sean is an American rapper born on March 25, 1988. He started his music career as a teenager and caught the attention of Kanye West who signed him to his record label GOOD Music under Def Jam Recordings in 2007.
Big Sean gained fame with his third mixtape “Finally Famous” Vol. 3: Big released in 2010. His debut studio album “Finally Famous” came out in 2011 and reached number three on the Billboard 200 chart. It included hit singles like “My Last” featuring Chris Brown, “Marvin & Chardonnay” featuring Kanye West, and Roscoe Dash, and “Dance (Ass)” featuring Nicki Minaj.
His second album Hall of Fame was released in 2013 and also peaked at number three on the Billboard 200. It featured the popular single “Beware” with Lil Wayne and Jhené Aiko.
In 2015, Big Sean’s third album “Dark Sky Paradise” debuted at number one on the Billboard 200. It was led by the hit single “I Don’t Fuck with You” featuring E-40 which received eight times platinum certification. Several other singles from the album including “Blessings” featuring Drake and Kanye West also achieved platinum status.
His fourth album “I Decided” released in 2017 and his fifth album “Detroit 2” released in 2020 both topped the charts as well. “Bounce Back” from I Decided became his highest-charting song reaching number six on the Billboard Hot 100.
After “Detroit 2,” Big Sean ended his association with Kanye West and parted ways with GOOD Music.
| Full Name | Sean Michael Leonard Anderson |
| Date of Birth | March 25, 1988 |
| Place of Birth | Santa Monica, California, USA |
| Occupation | Rapper, singer, songwriter |
| Height | 5’8″ (173 cm) |
| Partner | Jhené Aiko |
| Children | Noah Hasani |
| Net Worth | $26 million |
Big Sean’s Early Life and Education
Sean Michael Leonard Anderson also known as Big Sean was born on March 25, 1988, in Santa Monica California. His parents are Myra and James Anderson. When he was just three months old his family moved to Detroit Michigan. Sean was mainly raised by his mom who was a teacher and his grandmother.
His grandmother Mildred Leonard had a remarkable history herself—she served in World War II and became one of the first black female captains in the U.S. Army. Sean attended the Detroit Waldorf School and later graduated from Cass Technical High School with a GPA of 3.7.
Musical Career
In high school, Big Sean displayed his talent for rhyming in rap battles at a Detroit hip-hop station. In 2005, he seized an opportunity to meet Kanye West during a radio interview. Initially hesitant West eventually gave Sean a chance to freestyle and was impressed. This encounter led to Sean leaving his demo tape with West who later signed him to GOOD Music after two years.
On September 30, 2007, Big Sean released his first official mixtape titled “Finally Famous: The Mixtape”. One of its standout tracks “Get’cha Some” gained attention and media coverage. He followed up with another mixtape in 2009 called “UKNOWBIGSEAN” and in 2010 he released “Finally Famous Vol. 3: BIG.” During this time a leaked collaboration with Drake caused disappointment for Sean.
Sean’s debut album “Finally Famous” was initially set for release in 2010 but faced delays. It eventually dropped on June 28, 2011, featuring hit singles like “My Last” and collaborations with artists such as Kanye West and Chris Brown.
Big Sean’s career continued to evolve with projects like the mixtape “Detroit” in 2012 featuring guest appearances from notable rappers. His journey has been influenced by Kanye West, Eminem, The Notorious, B.I.G., and J Dilla shaping his musical direction and growth in the hip-hop scene.
Big Sean delayed his second album Hall of Fame which finally came out on August 27, 2013. It’s got skits that give it an old-school vibe and features artists like Lil Wayne, Miguel, and Nas., No I.D. and Key Wane mainly handled the album’s production with help from other producers like Hit-Boy and Da Internz.
Big Sean mentioned working with Eminem on potential tracks aiming for a Detroit classic but the timing might keep those off the Hall of Fame. The album spawned hits like “Guap” and “Switch Up” with Common “Beware” featuring Jhené Aiko and Lil Wayne “Fire” and “Ashley” featuring Miguel.
Before Hall of Fame dropped, Big Sean was already working on his third album due to inspiration from a new relationship. He also signed a management deal with Roc Nation releasing new tracks like “I Don’t Fuck with You,” “Paradise,” “4th Quarter,” and “Jit/Juke”. Collaborators included Mike Will Made It, DJ Mustard, Kanye West, and more. “I Don’t Fuck with You” hit iTunes in September 2014.
Leading up to his third studio album “Dark Sky Paradise” Big Sean teased fans with posts from Kanye West, Ty Dolla Sign, and others revealing the album cover. He dropped a trailer with the release date set for February 24, 2015. “Dark Sky Paradise” debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 and was certified platinum in February 2016. The album included hits like “IDFWU,” “Blessings,” and “Play No Games”.
In 2016, Big Sean teamed up with Jhené Aiko for the duo Twenty88 releasing an album and a short film. He also reached out to help with the Flint water crisis donating $10000. That same year he released “Bounce Back” the lead single from his fourth album “I Decided” which dropped in February 2017 and hit number one on the Billboard 200.
Following “I Decided” Big Sean collaborated with Metro Boomin on the album “Double or Nothing” in late 2017. The project featured singles like “Pull Up N Wreck”. He continued his solo career with singles like “Overtime” in 2019 hinting at a return to his roots.
In 2020, Big Sean released “Detroit 2” featuring collaborations with Eminem, Jhené Aiko, and Lil Wayne. The album debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 marking his third chart-topping album. He also hinted at another Twenty88 project and announced plans to start his record label.
Big Sean’s career has expanded beyond music including voice acting and acting roles in films and TV series like Twenties. He continues to evolve as an artist recently collaborating on projects like the EP “What You Expect” and the single “Hate Our Love” with Queen Naija.
Net Worth
Big Sean has an estimated net worth of $26 Million, according to Celebrity Net Worth. The main source of Big Sean’s net worth primarily comes from his successful career as a rapper, songwriter, and entrepreneur. He earns money through album sales, concert tours, and endorsements with brands. Big Sean has also ventured into business ventures like his own record label and investments in real estate and tech startups, which contribute to his wealth.
Additionally, his presence on social media and streaming platforms generates income through advertising and sponsorships. Overall, Big Sean’s diversified income streams from music, business ventures, and endorsements contribute to his substantial net worth.
Personal life
Big Sean’s romantic journey began with his high school sweetheart Ashley Marie whom he met at sixteen and started dating at nineteen. They broke up in early 2013. After that, he dated actress Naya Rivera whom he first connected with on Twitter from April 2013. They got engaged in October 2013 but ended things in April 2014. Following this he dated singer Ariana Grande from October 2014 to April 2015.
Since 2016, Big Sean has been in a relationship with singer Jhené Aiko. In his 2020 song “Deep Reverence” he shared that they had experienced a miscarriage before welcoming their son on November 8, 2022.
In November 2017, Big Sean purchased a mansion in Beverly Hills previously owned by Guns N’ Roses guitarist Slash securing it for $8.7 million down from its original $11 million listing.
Big Sean has openly discussed his battles with depression which led him to cancel a tour in 2018. He attributes therapy a healthier lifestyle exercise and focusing on his music as crucial to his recovery.
Big Sean established the Sean Anderson Foundation in 2012 to support underprivileged children and families in Detroit. The foundation has funded local educational initiatives and raised $100000 through #HealFlintKids to aid during the Flint water crisis. It also launched Mogul Prep to mentor high school students interested in the music industry and donated a recording studio to his alma mater Cass Technical High School.
Since 2018, the foundation has hosted D.O.N. Weekend an annual event offering free performances and activities for Detroit residents. In partnership with Ally Financial and others Big Sean created the “Moguls in the Making” scholarship for HBCU students in 2018.
In May 2021, the foundation released a video series focusing on wellness and mental health featuring discussions between Big Sean and his mother Myra Anderson.
Apart from music, Big Sean has been involved in fashion appearing in The Source and endorsing brands like Adidas and PUMA. He launched his clothing line Aura Gold and collaborated with PUMA on the Puma x Big Sean collection.
In December 2020, Big Sean became the creative director of innovation for the NBA’s Detroit Pistons overseeing community initiatives and apparel design. He also joined McDonald’s “Black & Positively Golden” mentorship program to support HBCU students.
In 2011, Big Sean faced legal issues related to an incident at a concert in Lewiston New York. He pleaded guilty to second-degree unlawful imprisonment with charges of sexual abuse dropped as part of a plea agreement. His attorney clarified that Sean did not engage in sexual misconduct and regretted any misunderstandings.
