Big Sean has returned. The Detroit native delivered his first album since 2020 with Better Me Than You on Friday (Aug. 30).
Sean Don’s sixth studio album boasts 21 tracks in total with features from Gunna, Charlie Wilson, Kodak Black, Bryson Tiller, DJ Premier, Cash Cobain, Teyana Taylor, Larry June, Eryn Allen Kane and more. There’s even a cameo from the iconic WWE superstar-turned-actor Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson.
Adding some comedic relief, Big Sean sampled Ray J’s iconic call into The Breakfast Club while he was feuding with Fabolous in 2011 on the same track that also samples 2Pac’s “I Ain’t Mad at Cha.”
Prior to delivering the LP, Sean admitted in an emotional Instagram Live that he was apprehensive about releasing the project.
“I’ve been having a hard f—king time, dawg, I’m not gon’ lie,” he said. “Been in this b—h trying to finish a album, and I’m kinda tired of overthinking it. … And, by the way, n—a, like me, I’ve been trying to be on some sober s–t so a n—a out here raw-dogging his emotions, bro.”
He also made sure to credit his mother for helping him power through those creative insecurities.
“I appreciate my mom for being that guardian angel always giving me that advice,” he added. “She really talked me through it for real. Like I said, I haven’t been sleeping a lot. I been giving this s–t my all. I’m burned the f–k out. I’m tired. I do do this s–t for the people that f–k with me.”
Big Sean heated up with a handful of singles in 2024 including The Alchemist-helmed “Together Forever” as well as “On Up,” “Yes,” “Ya Don’t Stop” and “Precision.” He also guested on Eminem’s The Death of Slim Shady single “Tobey” featuring BabyTron.
Sean has put up three consecutive No. 1 albums on the Billboard 200 with his most recent coming in 2020 with Detroit 2. Better Me Than You was originally slated to land on Aug. 9 before being pushed to the end of the month following a leak.
Stream the album below.