Big Sean Hosts “Better You Than Me” Listening Party at NYA Studios in LA
On Friday, August 30th, Big Sean cemented his return to music with the release of his new album, “Better You Than Me.” After a four-year hiatus and catching strays in one of the most historic rap beefs of the decade, he is back, he is better, and he is ready to share all of the blessings and lessons that he’s learned over these last four years of silence. Check it out here!
Photo Credit: Instagram (Big Sean)
On Friday, August 30th, Big Sean cemented his return to music with the release of his new album, “Better You Than Me.” After a four-year hiatus and catching strays in one of the most historic rap beefs of the decade, he is back, he is better, and he is ready to share all of the blessings and lessons that he’s learned over these last four years of silence. To celebrate his resurgence from solitude, Sean hosted a listening party at NYA Studios in LA for friends, family, press, and fans to enjoy his latest labor of love.
“Imma keep it real with you. As we got to the end of the album, I was paralyzed. I was paralyzed with not knowing what the fuck to do,” he said. “I don’t know why life got so heavy on me at that moment. I was exhausted, I had COVID, and I had decisions to make. Do you want to put the album out, or do you want to wait?”
Big Sean shares a heartfelt speech during his listening party for Better Me Than You in Los Angeles.
Video Credit: Sharmaine Johnson
The space was dark and mysterious, filled with smoke and a small circular stage surrounded by laser lights. As guests awaited Big Sean's grand entrance, we enjoyed complimentary drinks by JAJA, including Ranch Water, Margarita, Paloma, Tequila On The Rocks, and Gin & Juice. During the event, he spilled the tea on where his head was while creating the songs, offering a more in-depth understanding of the records as singles and the project as a whole. This transparency came as no surprise after he announced the album's release via an emotional Instagram Live.
“When I got on IG Live and was emotional and sh*t, it was because I was defeated at that time. I was overwhelmed, I was fucking down bad, and I just felt like I wasn’t in the right vibration, Dawg. I talked to my mom on the phone, and she said, ‘You don’t have the power, God has the power. Do it, baby, do it!”
Clearly taking his mom’s advice, we find ourselves here, celebrating the release of his seventh studio album and his dynamic run as a top artist in the game. As he eagerly performed songs from the album, one of the most touching moments of the evening was when he shared the stage with his father while performing one of his favorite songs, titled “Type Cast.”
Big Sean's father joins him on stage as he performs "Type Cast" at his Better Me Than You listening party in LA.
At first listen, the album is a solid 9 out of 10, with the only point missing due to the lack of a rollout. This body of work has amazing production, the tracklist flows effortlessly, and Sean definitely brought the bars. The singles "Precision," "YES," and "Who You Are" were perfectly selected to cater to every type of Sean fan, with visuals to match. If you’ve wondered what Big Sean has been up to over the last four years, give “Better You Than Me” a spin and get filled in. Stream the album now on all platforms.
YOU MAY ALSO BE INTERESTED IN:
SHARE TO SOCIAL MEDIA
Big Sean Expands Résumé with New Book on Mental Wellness
Big Sean will debut his 'Go Higher' book, focusing on mental wellness, marking his entry into the world of authors later this year. We discuss it here!
Big Sean attends the premiere of Creed III at the TCL Chinese Theatre IMAX.
Photo cred: Joe Seer
By: Joshua Martin
Detroit native Big Sean adds author to his impressive list of titles as he blesses his fans with a new book on mental wellness inspired by authors bell hooks and Deepak Chopra. The title of his upcoming book is ‘Go Higher: Five Practices For Purpose, Success and Inner Peace’ and is categorized as a self help book.
Big Sean's new book 'Go Higher'. Photo Cred: SIMON ELEMENT
Sean recently shared in a video message released to social media that he will be making his debut as an author this fall and in the video he can be seen gushing over a project that he claims took “years in the making.”
“I’m excited about a lot of things dropping this year but aside from the music, it’s another project that’s been years in the making and it’s finally time.”
In the announcement, he went on to add…
“Anyone who knows me since I signed my record deal knows if you look at my old YouTubes I’ve always been about speaking from the heart, following your intuition and checking in with yourself mentally because that’s how I was raised. That’s the upbringing that was surrounding me with my family. It was a lot of elevated thinkers. They’d give me gems and these books from authors Deepak Chopra, Sadhguru, bell hooks, and others that I eventually read. If it wasn’t for them lessons and methods that I applied to my life, I fasho wouldn’t be here today, period.”
Following an 2022 appearance on Jay Shetty’s podcast, ‘On Purpose With Jay Shetty’, Sean credited the host as the person who pushed him towards writing the book.
“He was like, ‘Bro you gotta write a book. It’s a lot of people that you come from where you come from that don’t know how to get from point A to point B [and] look like you. They know they’re meant for more, just don’t know where to start.’ So, I wrote my first book.”
The ‘I Decided’ rapper concluded with…
“I took all the lessons I learned, all the philosophies mixed with real-life experiences and condensed what works for me into these five strategies that really will teach you what success mean to you and show you what your purpose is if you don’t already know and show you how to find inner peace through all the turbulence of life.”
The book is set to be released this fall on October 8th. E-book and audiobook versions will be available upon release. Sean’s next album is also set to drop later this year and it’ll be his first since 2020’s Detroit 2.
2024 has been an eventful year for ‘Sean Don’. His current single “Precision” has eclipsed over 3 million Spotify streams and he also recently performed on one of the most recognizable stages in music today, teaming up with NPR for a special Tiny Desk performance.
Big Sean: Tiny Desk Concert
YOU MAY ALSO BE INTERESTED IN:
SHARE TO SOCIAL MEDIA
Jhene Aiko announces “The Magic Hour'' Tour Featuring Coi Leray, Kiane Lede, Tink and Umi
Jhene Aiko announces “The Magic Hour'' tour featuring an amazing lineup of Coi Leray, Kiane Lede, Tink and Umi. We discuss it here!
LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 16: Jhene Aiko arrives at Spotify's Second Annual Secret Genius Awards held at Ace Hotel on November 16, 2018 in Los Angeles, California.
Credit: Parisa Michelle via Shutterstock
By: Joshua Martin
Jhene Aiko announces “The Magic Hour'' tour featuring an amazing lineup of Coi Leray, Kiane Lede, Tink and Umi. It’s not the eagerly anticipated Twenty88 album featuring fellow artist and husband, Big Sean, but fans of the California songstress will be able to see her perform live in select cities across the U.S. and Canada this summer.
“The Magic Hour” will be the R&B star's first headlining tour in 5 years but due to the COVID-19 pandemic the Grammy nominated singer was forced to cancel the same tour back in 2020. Since then, Aiko has been mainly focused on the nurturing of her and Big Sean’s son, while also producing “Sleep Souls” albums geared towards rest assistance for children and adults.
Sleep Soul: Relaxing Nature & Rain Sounds With Green Noise - Soft Blankets
Finally this summer fans will get the opportunity to see her perform her timeless and mesmerizing hits live.
General admission and presale tickets are currently available across various platforms including her official website jheneaiko.com. Check out the complete list of tour dates below.
YOU MAY ALSO BE INTERESTED IN:
SHARE TO SOCIAL MEDIA
15 Must Listen To Songs For The Black And Conscious
Music about Black excellence, social injustices or simply the overall Black experience are necessary for Hip Hop culture. Here are 15 must listen to songs for the Black and conscious!
By: Tomiwa Moro
Revolutionary activist, James Baldwin was once asked what being Black in America is and he said:
“To be a Negro in this country and to be relatively conscious is to be in a state of rage almost all of the time — and in one's work. And part of the rage is this: It isn't only what is happening to you, but it's what's happening all around you...”
It’s one thing to be Black, it’s another to be conscious. James Baldwin’s definition sums up what it means to be Black and conscious. Being Black and conscious is to be mentally, physically, emotionally, and socially aware of how you, your brothers, and your sisters are being treated as Black people. It’s caring about how Black men, women and children are treated in a world that favors all other races to the Black race.
Many music lovers use relatable songs as tools for connecting with their emotions. For the Black and conscious, songs about racism, Black excellence, injustice or simply being Black evokes strong emotions that might differ according to listeners and their personal experiences.
Below are 15 songs for the Black and Conscious:
1. Common - U, Black Maybe
Common - U, Black Maybe(Featuring Bilal)(Music Video)
In this song, Common — who is a very conscious rapper — raps about the Black experience. He begins in his first verse by saying, “I heard a white man’s yes is a Black maybe”. He continues by describing life in African American communities and how poverty, drugs and other issues influence the fate of the Black men, women, and children.
Quotable lyrics:
“When we talk about black maybe/ We talk about situations of people of color/
and because you are that color/
You endure obstacles and opposition”
2. Nas - Ultra Black
Nas - Ultra Black (Official Music Video)
In 2020, Nas released this anthem for all Black people titled, “Ultra Black”. The Hit-boy produced song is a celebration of Black Culture.
Quotable Lyrics: “To Africa, you say, ‘Go back’ / I stay pro-black, my Amex black/
Black like cornrows, afros/ Black like Kaep' blackballed from the Superbowls”
3. Janelle Monae - Django Jane
Janelle Monáe – Django Jane [Official Music Video]
“Django Jane” is an empowering song — especially for black women. Through her lyrics, she describes her rise to fame and success as a Black woman.
Quotable Lyrics:
“Black girl magic, y'all can't stand it/ Y'all can't ban it, made out like a bandit/ They been tryin' hard just to make us all vanish
4. Mick Jenkins - Padded Locks
Mick Jenkins - Padded Locks & Barcelona (Official Music Video)
There’s a lot to unpack on this song. In addition to Mick Jenkins’ rhythm and Ghostface’s aggressive bars, there are conscious lyrics sprinkled in many parts of the verses.
Quotable Lyrics: “Fuck the rulers, Donald Trump is a piece of shit”
5. Royce da 5’9 - Black Savage
Royce 5'9 - Black Savage ft. Sy Ari Da Kid, White Gold, CyHi The Prynce & T.I. (Official Video)
Royce is a bold artist who says whatever he wants to say. He doesn’t hold back on this one and let’s his lyrics about Blackness spray like bullets from an AK. He also pays homage to some legendary Black people in the entertainment industry.
Quotable Lyrics: “How much more do you want?/ You wanna send us back to where we came from 'Cause we just savages/ Well here's my ass to kiss”
6. Big Sean - Guard Your Heart
Big Sean - Guard Your Heart (Audio) ft. Anderson .Paak, Earlly Mac, Wale
“Guard Your Heart” is like fuel for the mind. Big Sean encourages listeners to keep their head up and stay grinding while Wale directs his lyrics at racist white people.
Quotable Lyrics: “Got tired of white silence, so the riots started/ And the robbers robbed, you wylin' 'cause yo' product gone?/ We mad that Eric Garner, Breonna, Gianna father gone”
7. J Cole - Before I’m Gone
J. Cole - Before I'm Gone
J Cole has a lot of deep and conscious songs in his discography. This one is one of the really good ones.
Quotable Lyrics:
“We tired of only having just a piece/ And fuck policing, they killing niggas what's the reason/ His daughter starving and she fucking freezing/ So no wonder why he fucking squeezing”
8. J Hus - Helicopter
J Hus - Helicopter (Official Audio) ft. iceè tgm
British rapper, J Hus can best be described as a conscious rebel who makes great music.
Quotable Lyrics:
“No man can ever put my life on pause/
They enslaved my ancestor, no remorse/ I bring knowledge to Europe, just like the Moors”
9. Black Milk - Could it Be
Black Milk - Could It Be (Official Video)
“Could It Be” is one of the best songs in Black Milk’s collection. This is a record for the Black dreamer. It’s a reminder of where we come from and where we want to be. Despite the obstacles thrown at us, we still have big dreams. Like Black Milk says in the song, “that American pie he just want a portion.”
Quotable Lyrics: “Black kid with dreams by any means/ to see himself foldin' keys to a black Porsche and/ That american pie he just want a portion”
10. G Herbo - All Black
G Herbo – All Black (From Judas And the Black Messiah: The Inspired Album)
A song that appeared on the soundtrack for Judas and the Black Messiah — an historical drama about the betrayal of Fred Hampton. Like the entire soundtrack, “All Black” is one for the culture.
11. Rakim - Black Messiah
Rakim – Black Messiah (Official Audio) [From Judas And the Black Messiah: The Inspired Album]
On “Black Messiah” Rakim pays tribute to Fred Hampton, the Black messiah.
Quotable Lyrics: “Like the barrel of a gun, crucified, he was only 21/ Look at all the things he did in a short time/ Imagine all the things that he could've done”
12. Sault - Foot on Necks
Sault - Foot on Necks
In 2020, British group, Sault outdid themselves. They released two albums that can only be described as protest anthems for Black people around the world. Although “Foot on Necks” appeared on their 2019 album, ‘5’ it makes the list because of the strong emotions it evokes.
Quotable Lyrics:
“You don't feel, what we feel, and it's evident/ That you shoot to kill, 'cause you know, you'll get away with it”
13. Pharrell ft Jay Z - Entrepreneur
Pharrell Williams - Entrepreneur (Official Video) ft. JAY-Z
Another song about Black excellence. One of the ways Black people can progress and fight oppression is by striving to be great by any means. Although the system doesn’t favor us, we can build something solid from the scratch by being entrepreneurs.
Quotable Lyrics:
“The brainwashed become hype boys/ Third eye dilate/ You ain't supposed to make it off Section 8/ Robbin' Peter just to pay Paul”
14. Jay Z and Kanye West - Murder to Excellence
Kanye West and Jay Z - Murder to Excellence
“Murder to Excellence” is consciousness at its peak. The sample amplifies the deep lyrics about the society and its relationship with black people.
Quotable Lyrics: “In the past if you picture events like a black tie/ What’s the last thing you expect to see? Black guys/ What's the life expectancy for black guys?/ The system's working effectively, that's why!”
15. G Herbo - Intuition
G Herbo - Intuition ft Sonta & 2Pretty (Official Audio)
The last song on this list, and the best way to end this piece is a quote from G Herbo’s Intuition.
Quotable Lyrics: “You can't separate or compare freedom from peace/
Because no one can be at peace unless they have freedom/ And we not even born free, at least that's where I'm from/ Everything I seen growing up was poverty strucken/ Shit was damaged, taken from us or taken advantage of already/
And this is what we exposed to all day, that's what damage does/ And if you don't understand what I'm talking about, you never been through it/ I guess you one of the people I'm saying this to and not for”
Meet Sharmaine Johnson, Media Correspondent for 247 Live Culture!
Email: Sharmaine@247LCTV.com