Big Sean, born Sean Michael Leonard Anderson on March 25, 1988, is a renowned American rapper hailing from Detroit, Michigan. His career took off after meeting Kanye West in his teenage years, leading to a record deal with GOOD Music, a subsidiary of Def Jam Recordings, in 2007. His third mixtape, Finally Famous Vol. 3: Big, released in 2010, catapulted him to fame.
Profile Summary
| Full Name: | Sean Michael Leonard Anderson |
| Date Of Birth: | March 25, 1988 |
| Place Of Birth: | Santa Monica, California, U.S |
| Partner: | Jhené Aiko |
| Children: | 1 |
| Nationality: | American |
| Occupation(s): | Rapper, Songwriter, Actor |
| Labels: | FF to Def, Def Jam, Don Life |
| Net Worth: | $26 Million |
Early Life And Education
Big Sean was born Sean Michael Leonard Anderson on March 25, 1988, in Santa Monica, California, to parents Myra and James Anderson. Shortly after, at just three months old, he relocated to Detroit, Michigan, where he was raised by his mother, a dedicated school teacher, and his grandmother. Notably, his grandmother, Mildred Leonard, was a trailblazer who served in World War II and achieved the rank of captain in the US Army, one of the first black women to do so. Anderson excelled academically, attending the Detroit Waldorf School and later graduating from Cass Technical High School with an impressive 3.7 GPA.
Career
Big Sean showcased his rap skills in high school and met Kanye West in 2005, impressing him with a freestyle rap. West signed him to GOOD Music in 2007. Big Sean cites West, Eminem, The Notorious B.I.G., and J Dilla as influences.
He released mixtapes “Finally Famous: The Mixtape” (2007), “UKNOWBIGSEAN” (2009), and “Finally Famous Vol. 3: BIG” (2010), featuring artists like Drake and Tyga. His debut album “Finally Famous” (2011) featured hit singles “My Last”, “Marvin & Chardonnay”, and “Dance (Ass)”, with guest appearances from Lupe Fiasco, John Legend, and Kanye West. He also collaborated with Kelly Rowland on “Lay It on Me” in 2011.
In 2011, Big Sean announced plans for his second album, aiming for a 2012 release. Kanye West revealed plans for the GOOD Music compilation album “Cruel Summer”, released in 2012. Big Sean’s mixtape “Detroit” (2012) featured J. Cole, Kendrick Lamar, and Tyga, preceding his second album “Hall of Fame” (2013).
The album was delayed, but featured five singles, including “Guap” and “Beware”. Big Sean then signed with Roc Nation in 2014, releasing new songs, including “I Don’t Fuck with You”, and confirmed a collaboration with Lil Wayne on his upcoming third album.
Big Sean’s third album, “Dark Sky Paradise”, was released on February 24, 2015, and debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200. The album was certified platinum by February 2016. He then released a collaborative album with Jhené Aiko, “Twenty88”, in April 2016.
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In October 2016, Big Sean released “Bounce Back” as the lead single from his fourth album, “I Decided”, which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 in February 2017. The album was certified gold by April 2017. Big Sean was awarded the Key to the City of Detroit for his philanthropic efforts in April 2017.
In 2017, Big Sean released the single “Pull Up N Wreck” with Metro Boomin, followed by their collaborative album “Double or Nothing” in December. He then voiced a character in HBO’s “Animals” series.
After a two-year hiatus, Big Sean released singles “Overtime”, “Single Again”, and “Bezerk” in 2019. He announced his album “Detroit 2” on his 32nd birthday and released the lead single “Deep Reverence” featuring Nipsey Hussle. The album, featuring Eminem, Jhené Aiko, and Lil Wayne, debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 in September 2020, marking his third number-one album.
In July 2024, Big Sean released “Tobey” with Eminem and BabyTron, which peaked at number 27 on the Billboard Hot 100. He later performed a freestyle on “On the Radar” radio, indirectly addressing his former label boss Kanye West.
Personal Life
Big Sean’s personal life includes relationships with Ashley Marie (high school sweetheart), Naya Rivera (engaged 2013-2014), Ariana Grande (2014-2015), and Jhené Aiko (2016-present). He and Aiko have a son born in 2022 and previously experienced a miscarriage. Big Sean owns an $8.7 million Beverly Hills home and has struggled with depression, crediting therapy and self-care for his recovery.
Big Sean Net Worth
As of 2024, Big Sean’s net worth is estimated to be around $26 million, accumulated from his successful music career as a renowned American rapper, as well as from other endeavors such as touring, endorsements, and entrepreneurial ventures.
Discography
Big Sean’s discography includes:
- Finally Famous (2011)
- Hall of Fame (2013)
- Dark Sky Paradise (2015)
- I Decided (2017)
- Detroit 2 (2020)
He has also released several mixtapes, including:
- Finally Famous Vol. 1 (2008)
- Finally Famous Vol. 2 (2009)
- Finally Famous Vol. 3 (2010)
- Detroit (2012)
Additionally, Big Sean has released collaborative albums and EPs, such as:
- Twenty88 (with Jhené Aiko) (2016)
- Double or Nothing (with Metro Boomin) (2017)
He has also released numerous singles and guest verses throughout his career.