Detroit rapper Big Sean has riddled the airwaves with some gritty punch lines, urban beats and incredible flow for several years. The G.O.O.D Music (Kanye West’s label) young gun was the headline act at the AXEcess Jozi event on Saturday night at Mary Fitzgerald Square. Before the concert, FLUX Mag got the chance to fire a few questions his way…
Last year, highly touted rapper, Kendrick Lamar made a track called “Control” with Big Sean and Jay Electronica. Lamar called out his fellow rappers and made it clear that his intention is to be the best rapper ever. That verse (an incredible one at worst) set the internet ablaze, which spurned a host of lyrical retaliations. Big Sean was rather brief and frank and made it pretty clear about his stance on that issue. “I think it’s a great verse…my verse was better.”
In the same manner that Kanye West gave him his big break, Big Sean is eager to pay it forward by giving other artists a chance. He said, “I am at the right level to start other people up. Before I helped them, I wanted to first establish myself as a solo artist. I signed my first producer Key Wane. He produced songs for artists like Beyonce and Drake. He’s my first signee. I’m looking forward to helping people with raw talent and putting them on. We got all the connections in the world.”
Big Sean speaks with great pride and admiration for the controversial rapper, Kanye West. He said that it was initially a nerve-racking experience to work alongside him because he (West) is so particular about things but that only sharpened him. “I strive for a high level of excellence in my music and everything I do. I pay more attention to detail. That is definitely something that I picked up from him,” he commented.
In 2012 he collaborated with West, 2 Chainz and Pusha T on the monster smash hit Mercy – a track that continues to receive massive airplay and is laden with an infectious hook, killer beats and brutal wordplay. “That track was recorded in a hotel next to the royal palace in London. “We rented out the whole floor and turned it into a studio. It was really wild because some of the royal family were staying in the rooms beneath us. We were banging out a lot of loud music; there was a lot of weed smoked, not by me though (sure). That was a cool experience. We always record in weird places.”
After the scintillating performances delivered by local artists such as Khuli Chana, Reason, Teargas, Da Les and AKA – Big Sean spat with immense venom and showcased why he can rock a concert like no man’s business. The crowd loved him and even braved the harsh rain to listen to the megastar. “Performing in South Africa is a dream for me,” Big Sean proudly affirmed.
