Before making his fifth studio album, the Detroit-bred MC had to rediscover himself.
This feature is part of EWs Fall Music Preview, in the December issue.
When he was 19,Big Seanwas diagnosed with a heart condition.
Credit: Mike Carson
I passed out once in the shower and got rushed to the emergency room.
But Seans health issues left him at a precipice, facing a potentially costly and risky surgical procedure.
damn, looks like we dont need to proceed.
It just kind of made me realize I need to really express some of these things.
ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: You tried to take a step back from the public eye over the last two years.
There comes a point where you sometimes have to rediscover yourself.
Its been a lot of pain.
Its been ups and downs.
Its been me learning a lot.
Because at one point I felt like I didnt even know myself.
When I looked in the mirror, I didnt know what I didnt like and liked.
Was there a tipping point that made you realize you had to focus on yourself?Yeah.
When I turned 30 and I moved to Slashs old house in Beverly Hills.
Its like a dream house, a dream neighborhood.
I truthfully feel like itll really shine through on the full album.
[The other new single] Bezerk is just a fun song that me and Ferg did.
I also want to see to it I have fun.
You know youre putting out something fun whenthe Rock shouts your song outwhile lifting weights.Yes.
Anybody who really hates on the Rock, I just feel got some real issues.
One of the new tracks off the album is Wolves, a collaboration withPost Malone.
Whats the story behind that one?
[That song is about] my family growing up.
Its one of my favorites on the album.
How did you and Post connect for it?Post Malone heard it early.
I ran into him at a restaurant, and we were kicking it.
It was like a mutual-respect-key in of exchange.
We were both working, so Im like, I got this song.
See what you think.
When I sent it to him he was like, Man, this is incredible.
Thats another song I got with MadeinTYO.
But I just kept it dialed-in throughout.
Theres a song where Meek Mill just says two lines, and Puff had a couple of lines.
Why was it important for you to tackle that?I just want people to remember to be individuals.
Social media is such a great tool.
I never want to bash it because its definitely helped me be who I am.
But I feel like it also can manipulate us.
Oh, he said it.
He said and she said it, it must be true.
As opposed to, Okay, let me use my own intellect and let me really analyze this.
One thing I realized: People will love you and hate you, man.
Theres just so many times Ive been counted out.
Its just peoples opinions, theyre always changing and you always have the power to tell your story.
Thats something I didnt always have the confidence to do.
So I didnt hesitate on coming back.
I just realized that you cant let everybody make you feel a certain way.
Just be in control of your own happiness.
Be in control of your own s.
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