Big Sean proudly remembers Eminem asking him to sign his 2 albums: ‘Finally Famous’ and ‘Hall of Fame.’
Big Sean’s rise from Detroit streets to global hip-hop stages has been marked by determination, respect, and moments that shape an artist’s life. For Big Sean, working with Eminem wasn’t just another collaboration; it was a dream realized. In a recent interview with Billboard, Sean reflected on how influential Eminem’s presence has been in his career.
Rap fans know that every artist has a moment that changes how they see themselves, but for Big Sean, meeting one of his childhood icons brought a deeper meaning. Instead of dramatizing the scene, he focuses on what he felt and learned through the connection. The importance of community in hip hop culture, respect, mentorship, and shared experiences comes through naturally in his storytelling.
This isn’t a list of studio dates or song credits. It’s a look at how Sean internalized these experiences and tied them into both his growth and his identity in rap. The emotional core of this narrative isn’t just that he worked with Eminem; it’s that he got to look a hero in the eye and share honest moments that transcended music.
Big Sean reflects on Eminem collaboration and childhood dreams
For Big Sean, collaborating with Eminem was more than hitting the studio, it was fulfilling a deeply personal goal. The two Detroit natives first connected through the multi-artist track “Detroit vs. Everybody,” a song that celebrated their shared roots in hip hop. Later, they worked together again on “No Favors” and most recently on “Tobey.” These collaborations mark milestones, but how Big Sean remembers them goes beyond those songs.
When talking about his time working with Em, Big Sean pointed to the simple, real moments as what stuck with him the most. “I appreciated going into the studio with Em and talking with him. That was probably the biggest moments of my personal childhood dreams,” he said. For him, the real value was the connection, the chance to be creative with someone he looked up to as a kid.
This kind of respectful admiration is rooted in hip hop tradition, where artists learn from each other and honor those who came before. Sean’s admiration for Eminem isn’t just typical fan praise; it’s a reflection of how influential Em’s work, like The Slim Shady LP, was in shaping Big Sean’s musical inspirations and dreams.
Big Sean on studio conversations and personal moments with Em
What’s most striking about Big Sean’s reflections isn’t just that he worked with a legend, it’s the way he describes the atmosphere and dialogue they shared. He didn’t focus on production techniques or studio timelines. Instead, he talked about television shows and pizza, real, human moments.
“I don’t know if he took a break or was getting his shit together ’cause I think he was still in the studio everyday, but what I remember most was watching South Park and eating pizza in the studio. We’d debate what was better between Family Guy and South Park,” Big Sean said. These words remind us that even stars share mundane, relatable moments that become treasured memories.
This candidness reveals something deeper about the bond between Big Sean and Eminem. They weren’t simply collaborators; they were two artists sharing space, thoughts, and laughs. It’s this kind of connection that fans of rap and hip hop culture appreciate, a reminder that great music often comes from genuine human relationships.
Big Sean shares the story of albums and respect
One of the most memorable parts of Big Sean’s story involves an unexpected role reversal. He brought a beloved CD to the studio, The Slim Shady LP, but hesitated to have Eminem sign it. Instead, Eminem surprised him.
“We’d talk about life, and I told the story before how The Slim Shady LP was the first album I bought at Costco with my birthday money as a kid. I still have it,” Big Sean shared, showing how deeply these early influences stayed with him. Though he didn’t want to seem uncool by bringing the CD in, he respected the moment enough to mention it.
But Eminem had something else in mind. He pulled out two of Big Sean’s early albums, Finally Famous and Hall of Fame, and asked him to sign them himself. “He took out Finally Famous and Hall of Fame and asked me to sign them. That was the last time in my life where I said I would never try to be cool,” Big Sean concluded. This moment symbolized full-circle respect; not only was Big Sean honored, but his hero valued his work too.
