Big Sean, born Sean Michael Leonard Anderson on March 25, 1988, in Santa Monica, California, is a prominent American rapper from Detroit, Michigan. At the age of two months, he moved to Detroit, where he was raised by his mother and grandparents, instilling in him a strong work ethic and determination. Big Sean’s early interest in music was evident as he attended Detroit Waldorf School and participated in rap battles on local hip-hop station 102.7 FM. His big break came when he met Kanye West in 2005 during a radio interview, which led to him signing with GOOD Music in 2007.
Sean gained popularity with the release of his third mixtape, Finally Famous Vol. 3: Big, in 2010. His debut studio album, Finally Famous, released in 2011, peaked at number three on the Billboard 200 and featured hit singles like “My Last” and “Dance (Ass).” Following this success, he released several acclaimed albums, including Hall of Fame (2013) and Dark Sky Paradise (2015), the latter debuting at number one and featuring the octuple platinum single “I Don’t Fuck with You.” His subsequent projects, I Decided (2017) and Detroit 2 (2020), also topped the charts, with “Bounce Back” becoming his highest-charting song.
Beyond his musical achievements, He has received four Grammy nominations and won multiple awards, including two MTV Video Music Awards. His philanthropic efforts and entrepreneurial ventures reflect his commitment to give back to the community. With a distinctive style and relatable lyrics, he is a leading figure in hip-hop, maintaining a massive global following and influencing the genre with his authentic storytelling and engaging performances.