Big Sean Opens Up on Depression
Big Sean revealed he battled severe depression following the death of close friend Nipsey Hussle. The rapper shared that the loss triggered a dark period in his life, adding to the ongoing conversation about mental health challenges in hip-hop. His candid reflections highlight the pressures and vulnerabilities that artists face in the industry.
- Before Nipsey Hussle's death in March 2019, Big Sean had already been open about his mental health, canceling a 2018 tour to address his depression and anxiety and beginning therapy. - He released the song "Deep Reverence" in August 2020, which features a posthumous verse from Nipsey Hussle. The track was later nominated for a Grammy for Best Rap Performance. - On "Deep Reverence," Big Sean raps about the emotional impact of Hussle's death, which prompted him to end a long-rumored feud with Kendrick Lamar. He also reveals that he and his partner Jhené Aiko experienced a miscarriage. - The rapper described his depression as feeling like he "hit a wall" and had lost touch with his own identity outside of his music career, forcing him to take a step back from the industry to prioritize his well-being. - His 2020 album, *Detroit 2*, which featured "Deep Reverence," became his third album to debut at number one on the Billboard 200 chart. - Big Sean and Nipsey Hussle were both part of the 2010 XXL Freshmen class, a group of rising rappers, and had a friendship dating back over a decade. - In a recent interview, he stated that he wasn't intentionally trying to be a spokesperson for mental health but was simply sharing his personal experience with therapy during a period of "heavy ups and downs."
