Big Sean announced some major details for upcoming third studio album earlier this week. Titled Dark Sky Paradise, the effort is slated for a Feb. 24 release and was mostly recorded in his home studio, save for his single "IDFWU." The Detroit rapper is now featured on the February/March 2015 cover of Complex. In the story, he visits his old high school, Cass Technical, and the radio station where his life changed forever after Kanye West let him spit for him, Hot 102.7, among other local spots. Sean speaks about the Eric Garner and Mike Brown decisions, his failed relationship with Naya Rivera, his current relationship with Ariana Grande, Kendrick Lamar's verse on his song "Control," and working with Roc Nation and G.O.O.D. Music, among other topics. Here's what we learned:
On why he chose Dark Sky Paradise for his album title:
"That title-Dark Sky Paradise-fits it so perfect for me. There were a lot of thunderstorms in my life. A lot of rumbling, a lot of lightning. Then sunshine came."
On his educational background helping him to later be able to interact with people from various backgrounds:
"It was good to see both aspects. I take pride in being able to hop on a song with Eminem and Kanye, or Jay Z, and then being able to hop on a Fall Out Boy song."
On Kendrick Lamar overshadowing him on "Control."
"Looking back on it, it was a different vibe than my album. There's a lot of negativity on that song, and I don't fuck with negative shit. People love drama, people love bullshit. I knew when Kendrick did that name-dropping that it was just gonna set it off, and I could see why people gravitated towards that verse for that reason. I respected him for thinking of that. I never wanna shade anybody. I would've been a ho-ass nigga if I cut that out of his verse, or if I didn't put the song out."
On his relationship with Ariana Grande:
"We started as friends. I'd never done that. Usually you meet a girl and then start dating. We always saw each other in the studio, and we'd talk about songs we were working on. It was cool to have a girl that I could talk to about my problems. I did that with her. It's not some fake-ass, inauthentic shit when I say we were friends. This is something special and I appreciate every moment of it."
On the pressures of dating another celebrity:
"I don't think about it like that. You can't be afraid, because when you're afraid you don't give it your all."
On his new management company, Roc Nation:
"[They] are hungry and business minded, and have the relationships to make things happen that I wanted to happen. ...I wanted more campaigns, more endorsements, more commercials, more respect from my management. Since I've been with [Roc Nation], my career and my business have been on the upswing."
On giving up beats, tracks, and choruses to other artists on G.O.O.D. Music:
"I've played the big guy and the little guy before, and I put my ego aside," he says. "I believe in karma, in giving and never being stingy. I believe in spreading love and being positive."
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