Big Sean Opens Up About Things He Learned While Putting Together 'Detroit 2'

On Monday, Big Sean sent out a series of tweets that both gave thanks and laid out the lessons he learned while making the just-released 'Detroit 2.'

Big Sean at the Grammys
Getty

Image via Getty/Mike Coppola

Big Sean at the Grammys

Mere days after he put out his latest albumDetroit 2, Big Sean has taken to social media to share the new mentality he developed while putting that record together.  

The key takeaways from what he wrote, at least from our end, would appear to be his talking about the emotional/mental state he was in while putting Detroit 2 together. 

"I don’t feel like this currently, but I had never gone through wanting to kill myself, give up on my life until the past few years," he said on Twitter. "[A]nd I didn’t realize how important it was to embrace the ups n downs of life and enjoy (in joy) taking active steps to better it. it’s the Journey!

"I thought doing what I loved would always make me happy and satisfied, so when I got tired of it, I was confused and it drove me insane. Later i realized I was just growing n had to gain a new mentality and foundation on many levels n re-discover my passion! And try new things.."

He went on to relay how he got through this down period, and also expressed joy at when fans say to him that his music inspired/spoke to them. He says that's great because, well, that was the goal he was shooting for with the album. 

Detroit 2 came out this past Friday, September 4. It was supposed to come out in March but got thrown off by COVID. It comes nearly three years after his last major release and, according to updated projections, is likely to debut at No. 1.

"I don’t know if my album Detroit 2 is goin #1 or not," Sean said of the sales projections. He continued, "that would be crazy if it did, but I feel like it’s already #1 to me because all I put into it, what I went through to make it and the impact it’s had on some of you. I’m too grateful for that alone!"

Sean previously spoke about his mental state going into making Detroit 2.  "I feel like I was broken," he said while speaking to Nadeska Alexis on Apple Music 1. "I would try and be in a studio, I couldn't think of anything. I would try to feel good and I couldn't feel good." He continued, "I just had to rediscover it, you know, and I didn't, I, at one point I thought I was done. I thought I was like, maybe I shouldn't even be doing music anymore. Maybe I did it and that's it. But then I was like, no. Once I started taking care of myself, I started thinking of things differently. I started approaching songs differently. And I had that hunger back, you know. I was hungry. I'm hungry on these songs."

You can read Sean's newly posted thoughts on the subject, in order, below. 

Lotta things I learned making this album... I feel a like I should share a couple on my heart, a lot of it is in the music tho. Feel like I’m finna tweet a lot right now 🤦🏾‍♂️

— Sean Don (@BigSean) September 7, 2020

I don’t feel like this currently, but I had never gone through wanting to kill myself, give up on my life until the past few years and I didn’t realize how important it was to embrace the ups n downs of life and enjoy (in joy) taking active steps to better it. it’s the Journey!

— Sean Don (@BigSean) September 7, 2020

I thought doing what I loved would always make me happy and satisfied, so when I got tired of it, I was confused and it drove me insane. Later i realized I was just growing n had to gain a new mentality and foundation on many levels n re-discover my passion! And try new things..

— Sean Don (@BigSean) September 7, 2020

That’s the hardest thing I’ve ever had to learn how to do, I pray if and when it happens to you, you just hold on to your faith! You may discover more passions if it’s meant to be as well. Not sure if we are only meant to do one thing in life, who knows for sure...

— Sean Don (@BigSean) September 7, 2020

While I was working on me and figuring things out (still am everyday but I just mean while I was making the album) I was worried that it was taking too long, and adding extra stress to my life worrying if people will even still want to hear from me, but even then I still...

— Sean Don (@BigSean) September 7, 2020

I couldn’t rush it. I listened to God and myself for when the time was right. That’s one of the hardest things to do as an artist was be on my time, and not the time everyone kept telling me is right for me. I had to learn MY timing isn’t everyone else’s timing n that’s fine.

— Sean Don (@BigSean) September 7, 2020

To the fans, listeners, even other artist who feel me through the music, or share it, or mention it on their platforms have inspired me to be more supportive of art and speak up. I feel a sense of community in music and less competition and that feels amazing! So thank you!

— Sean Don (@BigSean) September 7, 2020

When I see someone say “you was speaking to me” or people being inspired in some way even if it’s just to turn the fuck up n go get it, it makes me feel incredible because that was my goal, in my heart that’s what I hoped for. That’s why stayed so late every night for 🙏🏾

— Sean Don (@BigSean) September 7, 2020

I don’t know if my album Detroit 2 is goin #1 or not, that would be crazy if it did, but I feel like it’s already #1 to me because all I put into it, what I went through to make it and the impact it’s had on some of you. I’m too grateful for that alone!

— Sean Don (@BigSean) September 7, 2020

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