Big Sean announced on Thursday, July 18, that Better Me Than You, his sixth studio album, will be released on August 9 by Def Jam Recordings. Alongside the news, he released a new song called “Yes,” giving listeners a fascinating sneak peek at what he’s been up to lately.
The kaleidoscopic trailer, which lasted just over a minute, had some of the same visual cues as the rapper’s March releases of “Precision,” his pre-release single, and Clarity, his mini-documentary. Before the screen panned to the album title, the phrases “clarity, focus, happiness, and pressure” displayed in various colors.
The announcement came soon after an incomplete version of Ye’s song, Better Me Than You, appeared online and was purportedly leaked by a fan. They said it was in retaliation for what they saw as barbs at the Chicago rapper in Big Sean’s “On The Radar” freestyle, which had statements like “I seen grown men get matching tattoos for the clout” and “I got better things to do than find someone to beef with.”
Later, during an Instagram Live session, the Detroit native talked about the leaks. “Ye wouldn’t do it, I know that since it is garbage. He said, “I know he wouldn’t do no s**t like that.” “So, whoever you are, know that it really messed with my head.”
Detroit 2 is marketed as a sequel to Better Me Than You. The album, which was released in 2020, features hits including “Friday Night Cypher,” “Harder Than My Demons,” and “Deep Reverence,” which features Nipsey Hussle. The other featured artists included Ty Dolla Sign, Travis Scott, Young Thug, Eminem, Post Malone, and Lil Wayne.
The author of the smash song “Beware” also has a book coming out in October. Through five transformative practices, the interactive guidebook “Go Higher: Five Practices for Purpose, Success, and Inner Peace” aims to help readers reach their full potential. It will be his first published work of literature unrelated to music.
