Big Sean Confirms New Album Release Date Amid COVID Diagnosis
Big Sean has confirmed the official release date for his forthcoming studio album, which he says was completed amid him being diagnosed with COVID.
On Monday (Aug. 26), Big Sean took to Instagram Live to update fans on the rollout of Better Me Than You and confirmed the project will be released this Friday (Aug. 30). However, the rapper also admitted his struggle to complete the album, pointing to his personal expectations as well as being diagnosed with COVID as hurdles he endured during the recording process.
“I’ve been having a hard time lately, straight up. It has not been easy,” the Detroit native told his followers, lamenting the toll that creating an album can have on one’s emotions and psyche. “You make art, you put your heart into this sh*t,” he added, before revealing that he’d recently tested positive for COVID, thus putting more of a strain on his creativity.
Big Sean attends the Savage x Fenty arrivals during New York Fashion Week at Barclays Center on September 10, 2019 in New York City.
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“When I had COVID last week, I was down and I was still working on the album,” he said, admitting that he’d had thoughts of pushing the chronically delayed album back once again, but was ultimately persuaded by his mother to move forward with its release.
“She was giving me them words,” Big Sean said of his mother. “And I was just like, look, I can keep working on some sh*t and make it exactly how I wanted. But I’d be pushing it back forever.” Prior to ending the chat, the hitmaker declared that Better Me Than You will be dropping “this week,” news that was well-received by many music fans who’ve been awaiting the highly-anticipated album’s arrival.
Big Sean attends the Call Of Duty: Vanguard Launch Party at The Belasco on November 03, 2021 in Los Angeles, California.
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Better Me Than You marks Big Sean’s sixth studio album and his first since Detroit 2, which dropped in September 2020. Initially slated to drop earlier this month, the album was pushed back by the rapper, who broke the news on social via a series of skits with content creator Jordan Howlett.
Thus far, Big Sean has released multiple singles from Better Me Than You, including “Yes” and the Alchemist-assisted cut, “Together Forever.”
See footage from Big Sean’s Instagram Live session below.