Big Sean Celebrates HBCU Homecoming With Amazon Music Live Set: Exclusive

The rapper told VIBE his Amazon Music Live show is a teaser before the ‘Dark Sky Paradise’ 10th anniversary tour.

Jerritt Clark/Getty Images for Amazon Music

Big Sean tore down the stage at East End Studios in Los Angeles on Thursday (Oct. 24) for his Amazon Music Live performance. The Detroit-bred rapper’s set felt like the after party we needed following Thursday Night Football, where the L.A. Rams beat out the Minnesota Vikings. The theme for this unofficial party was HBCU Homecoming and Sean even brought along North Carolina A&T’s Marching Machine and the Fellowship Gospel Choir.

Ahead of the event, we caught up with Sean to discuss the Amazon Music partnership and if this live performance was a precursor to an upcoming tour. “I’m going to give people more music and announce the tour,” he teased. “We’re getting it together now, just to be transparent with you. It’s something I’m looking forward to and looking forward to announcing soon. I haven’t been on tour in a long time. It’s also the 10-year anniversary of Dark Sky Paradise coming up, and I’m just happy to tour that as well, on top of Better Me Than You, and just my journey so far.”

North Carolina A&T’s Blue and Gold Marching Machine performed with Big Sean on Amazon Music Live: pic.twitter.com/CfylmYm2oz

— Kalan Hooks (@KalanHookstv) October 25, 2024

He isn’t rushing to drop the deluxe anytime soon, but it is coming. In addition to cracking jokes about his pre-show ritual, the highlight from our chat with Sean was him giving flowers to some of his collaborators including Charlie Wilson and Eryn Allen Kane.

“Man, Uncle Charlie, he’s just so tied into just rap, on top of just being a R&B legend,” Sean explained. “He doesn’t have to do any of these types of things […] I hit him up; he came to my crib and recorded it. I remember my mom being there. She was so hyped, as was I. He was just amazing to work with. It’s a day I’ll remember forever, too.”

Kane was listed as co-executive producer on Better Me Than You and that was synergy that couldn’t be bought. “I just knew her from back in the day and I just saw her keep progressing in her music […] I ended up playing her some music and she just had all these amazing creative, great ideas. With songs like “Break the Cycle,” “Black Void,” “Apologize,” she definitely helped me execute my vision, and really did a lot of the dirty work of really nailing some of the textures and things I wanted on there. She was able to take my ideas and get them all the way out when it came to the production side of things.”

Big Sean brings Jhené Aiko out during his @amazonmusic Live concert in LA.

? Me pic.twitter.com/KvypWH3Lts

— Andrés Tardio (@AndresWrites) October 25, 2024

Of his partnership with the streaming platform, the father of one praised how he and Amazon Music “got good energy.” He hinted that last night’s show isn’t the only program he has with them, but for now is thrilled that “I get to do something with Amazon Music, the NFL and all of that.” In regard to why he chose to pay homage to HBCU homecomings, Sean expressed its importance to the culture and his family.

“I’m a product from my grandfather. My uncle went to Howard, so it’s just part of our culture. Some of the most fun times was going to some homecomings. I’ve never been to the Aggies homecoming, but my grandfather, being from North Carolina, he was always a huge fan of the Aggies. When it comes to marching bands, drum lines—there’s no one better on Earth,” he said.

Maaaaaaaan! @BigSean brought out @e40 That was a whole moment for anyone my age. S/O to @amazonmusic and LA for arena level performances in tiny sound stages in Glendale. Truly undefeated activities. pic.twitter.com/AhqOrdkpvF

— AuzSantiago (@AuzSantiago) October 25, 2024

During his nearly 90-minute show, Sean performed tunes from his latest album, Better Me Than You, including “Who You Are (Superstar),” “Precision,” “Boundaries,” and “On Up.” He also threw in some classics like “Play No Games,” “Bounce Back,” “Big Bank” with YG, “Beware” with Jhené Aiko, and the crowd favorite, “I Don’t F**k With You” with E-40. The aforementioned performances also surprised the crowd with special appearances.

Check out more highlights from Sean’s Amazon Music Live show below.

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