Hip Hop Vibe’s Rookie of the Year: Big Sean

By Hardcore Critic
Hip Hop Vibe Staff Writer

Two years in the making was Big Sean’s emergence into the rap game. Signed to Kanye West’s G.O.O.D. Music, Big Sean was destined to rise to the top of the game. However, when Big Sean released his debut single, “My Last,” with Chris Brown, was released, it was clear he would stand on his own. His catchy tunes quickly propelled Big Sean to the ranks of J. Cole, Drake, and Nicki Minaj.

A native of Detroit, Big Sean also introduced the hip hop world into a new star, not associated with the movement headed by Eminem and Shady Records. Big Sean’s success did not come without conflict, however. Upon finally receiving media attention, Big Sean made a claim on the okie-doke rap style. The stye became popular when Drake made it popular, but he began using it after a collaboration with Big Sean.

Informing the people of his style, Big Sean named himself the originator of the style and he also accused veteran, Ludacris, of stealing the flow. Months after the comments had been forgotten by most, Ludacris returned with two songs addressing the situation. Ludacris took jabs at both Big Sean and Drake, claiming the style had been around for decades and hip hop is all about borrowing flows.

When asked about a possible beef with Ludacris, Big Sean denied any issues and revealed his overall respect for the veteran emcee. The conflict did not stop Big Sean’s run, as his “Dance (A$$) single gained heavy radio rotation. Young Money rapstress, Nicki Minaj, even jumped on the remix, to which the popular music video was shot. With several new artists emerging in 2011, Big Sean managed to stick out, doing so even beyond his connections to hip hop royalty.