Big Sean on Music Industry Betrayal and Battling His Demons

Early Influences and Challenges

• Sean Anderson was signed to Kanye West's music label, GOOD Music, after auditioning for him at a local radio station. (40s)
• Anderson's mother supported his musical ambitions by funding his early music recordings and encouraging him to pursue his dreams. (4m1s)
• Despite facing discouragement from teachers and a lack of local representation in the music industry, Anderson remained determined to succeed, drawing inspiration from his intuition and visualizing his goals. (5m16s)
• From ages 11 or 12, music was treated like a full-time job, with efforts made to promote it even when uncomfortable. (6m51s)

Depression and a Change in Mindset

• At age 18 or 19, after rapping for Kanye West and receiving a promise of a record deal, a period of depression followed when the deal didn't immediately materialize. (8m56s)
• Despite the depression, a change in mindset occurred, realizing happiness was a choice and that actively pursuing music opportunities could lead to progress. (12m21s)

Financial and Emotional Struggles

• After signing a record deal, there was a period of two years where the speaker was struggling financially and emotionally, even considering going back to community college. (12m35s)
• The speaker signed a contract with Good Music for $115,000 and opted not to sell their publishing for an extra $50,000. (13m0s)

Career Growth and Industry Challenges

• The speaker's career started to gain traction after releasing mixtapes and appearing on BET, leading to increased recognition and a growth in followers. (16m11s)
• The music industry presents challenges in maintaining relationships, as individuals may struggle with substance abuse or exhibit paranoia. (18m45s)

Collaborations and Miscommunication

• Kanye West, initially not included in the song "Blessings," expressed a desire to be featured, leading to logistical challenges and miscommunication regarding the song's release. (19m21s)

Creative Process and Inspiration

• The speaker highlights the importance of having a dedicated space for music creation, emphasizing the constant nature of inspiration and the need to capture ideas promptly. (22m32s)

Pressure and Mental Health

• Big Sean felt pressured to release music quickly, leading to him spreading himself too thin between mixtapes, albums, and collaborations. (24m29s)
• He started using Adderall to maintain his energy levels but realized it came at a cost to his mental health. (27m47s)

Identity Crisis and Finding Inspiration

• By age 30, Big Sean experienced an identity crisis, feeling lost and unsure of his passions, leading him to believe he was headed for self-destruction. (28m24s)
• To overcome writer's block, it was necessary to stop writing, engage in other activities, and find inspiration from the realization that there's more to life than just creating music for clubs. (29m41s)

Finding Balance and Personal Growth

• An agreement was made with a higher power, ensuring a good life regardless of financial status or other factors. (30m25s)
• After experiencing success with previous albums, particularly Dark Sky Paradise, the focus shifted from solely pursuing chart success to prioritizing personal growth and recognizing that life encompasses more than just music. (31m59s)

Artistry and Selflessness

• Being an artist requires a degree of selfishness to enable introspection and following one's own impulses and vibe. (35m30s)
• Fatherhood, in contrast to being an artist, demands selflessness, presenting a balancing act as personal evolution continues. (35m41s)

Inspiration and Mentorship

• The speaker finds inspiration from Virgil Abloh and Kanye West's meticulous approach to their craft, striving for perfection. (39m32s)

Relationships with Kanye West and Business Deals

• Kanye West has made negative comments about the speaker, but the speaker does not take the comments personally and has been in the studio with West since. (42m32s)
• The speaker states that they were taken advantage of in business deals with both Death Jam Recordings and Kanye West's label, GOOD Music, but the issues have been resolved. (43m30s)

Advice for Young Artists

• The speaker's advice to young artists is to handle their business affairs well, speak up for themselves, and not focus on their expectations of success, but rather on happiness and love. (45m3s)