With more than 15 years in the rap game, Big Sean has just about seen it all. The Detroit rapper brought his array of hits to NPR for his soulful Tiny Desk concert debut.
Sean delivered one of the most expansive setlists in Tiny Desk history on Wednesday (March 27) as he took viewers on a journey from the Finally Famous mixtape days through his emergence as a mainstream titan as part of Ye’s G.O.O.D. Music label.
“It’s something my kids can look back on, something my family can look back on to see where I was at in my career,” he said of the performance that serves as a time capsule for those watching years down the line.
Big Sean kicked off his set with the reflective “Memories” before running through “Nothing Is Stopping You,” “Blessings,” “My Last,” “Marvin Gaye & Chardonnay” and more.
He recalled his humble beginnings as a “mixtape rapper” and how detractors tried to count him out after his Hall of Fame album didn’t live up to expectations following his successful debut.
“I remember it was a stressful time for me because when my second album dropped, it didn’t do as well as my first album. People was like, ‘Sophomore slump — it’s over for him.’ Counting me out crazy,” he said. “Then I was able to lock in and make my third album which was Dark Sky Paradise, which is one of my biggest albums.”
Sean flexed his vocal range on “Play No Games” and then moved into anthems such as “All Me,” “Beware,” “Bounce Back” and “One Man Can Change the World” before wrapping up with his “I Don’t F–k With You” banger.
The 36-year-old ended his set teasing an upcoming album “coming soon.”
Big Sean returned from hiatus with his sharp “Precision” single last week.
Watch the performance below.
