Big Sean Breaks Silence: Unpacking Loyalty, Millions Owed, and Kanye West’s “Hurtful” Attacks on Drink Champs

The music world watched with bated breath when Kanye West, a figure known for his unfiltered and often controversial statements, declared on the popular podcast Drink Champs that signing Big Sean to his G.O.O.D. Music label was the “worst thing” he’d ever done. This startling revelation sent shockwaves through the industry and among fans, especially given the long-standing professional and personal relationship between the two artists. Initially, Big Sean, the acclaimed Detroit rapper, reacted to the unexpected diss with a degree of disbelief and humor, choosing to take it in stride. However, the subsequent weeks allowed the weight of Kanye’s words to sink in, prompting Sean to return to the very same platform, Drink Champs, to offer his definitive rebuttal and shed light on a complex narrative far beyond a simple label signing. His appearance on the Dec. 18 episode, as reported by Complex, unveiled a deeper story of loyalty, financial disputes, and emotional betrayal.

Sean, 33 at the time of the interview, explained how his initial amusement quickly morphed into a profound sense of personal affront. “At first I thought it was hilarious, I thought the sh-t was funny,” he recounted. “But I took it personal. I took it personal because I’m the only artist who’s put out five albums under G.O.O.D. Music. … I’m the only one who put out back-to-back-to-back No. 1’s, platinum albums, double platinum albums.” This statement highlighted not just his numerical contribution to the label but also the consistent success and critical acclaim he brought. For an artist to achieve such milestones under an imprint, only to be publicly disavowed by its founder, is a deeply unsettling experience that challenges the very foundations of their professional identity and personal relationships.

Delving deeper into his loyalty, Big Sean eloquently articulated the symbiotic, albeit often one-sided, nature of his relationship with Kanye. “And by the way, being signed to Kanye is a golden opportunity, he changed my life, and I love him for that,” Sean affirmed, acknowledging the undeniable impact Kanye had on his career trajectory. Yet, this gratitude was quickly contrasted with a vivid account of his unwavering commitment. “But every time Kanye has called on me, every single time no matter what I was doing, within one day’s notice I’m wherever he’s at bro, whether it’s to contribute to him in the studio, whether it’s to contribute a line, write a verse for him. … I’ve traveled around the world for this man, every time he’s called.” These weren’t mere professional obligations; Sean revealed the personal sacrifices involved, often contributing his creative talents without seeking commensurate financial acknowledgment. “And I’ve done this and not asked for publishing a lot of the time. Why? Because he gave me a golden opportunity of signing to G.O.O.D. Music.” This paints a picture of an artist who gave generously, driven by loyalty and gratitude for the platform he was given, only to feel his contributions were later dismissed or forgotten.

In the upcoming Drink Champs episode, Big Sean responds to Kanye’s comments on him being his worst signing.

Sean claims that he had to audit his own label from his own pocket due to suspicions of money being owed (millions).

Full episode will be released tomorrow. #bigsean pic.twitter.com/3qaIExuEZB

— SoundCentric (@SoundCentricPod) December 17, 2021

Beyond the emotional sting of public humiliation, Big Sean unveiled a deeply troubling financial dispute, alleging that Kanye’s company owed him a substantial sum of money. The rapper recounted having to take extraordinary measures, including conducting a comprehensive audit of his label at his own significant expense. He revealed spending “hundreds of thousands” of his personal funds to hire forensic accountants and legal experts to scrutinize the financial records, driven by a growing suspicion that “millions of dollars [were] missing.” This costly and time-consuming process ultimately uncovered a shocking truth: “I spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on my label, thinking Universal owed me this money, and the money had been paid to G.O.O.D. Music.” This revelation shifted the blame squarely from the parent company, Universal, to G.O.O.D. Music itself. Ultimately, Sean asserted that he was owed a staggering $6 million, a figure that underscores the severity of the alleged financial mismanagement and the profound breach of trust.

Sean passionately conveyed the profound injustice he felt, juxtaposing his alleged $6 million deficit with Kanye’s billionaire status. “What if they owed you that, bro? And you showed up for them, and you did all these things, right? And they up billions. And then the n—- who comes at them, who talks the most sh-t, he bigging up in the interview and sh-t,” Sean queried, highlighting the stark disparity. This pointed comparison underscored his belief that while he diligently served the label and its founder, his own financial welfare was apparently neglected. He further emphasized his unwavering commitment, stating, “And my thing is, bro, when you want to talk about loyal to a fault…yeah I’ve been loyal because I feel like I’m the only one who stayed that long for G.O.O.D. Music, so yeah, it was a personal [attack]—it affected me personally, bro.” This statement not only reiterated the depth of his loyalty but also illuminated how deeply Kanye’s public comments wounded him, transforming a professional disagreement into a deeply personal affront.

The aftermath of Kanye’s initial diss also involved an attempt at reconciliation, albeit one that Big Sean viewed with skepticism given the circumstances. “You know, he texted me the next day and said, ‘I want to meet with you and your mom to start the healing on both sides,'” Sean revealed. While an offer of dialogue might seem positive, Sean’s response underscored the profound emotional damage inflicted. “I took it too personally, because ‘you publicly humiliated me when I’ve been down for you.’” He further articulated the immense financial and creative value he brought to Kanye’s empire: “What I’m saying is, I put at least $30 million in this man’s pocket or more, and he owes me money, and he’s got billions, him or his company.” This stark contrast between his significant contributions and the alleged debt, coupled with the public shaming, made the offer of “healing” feel insufficient and perhaps even disingenuous in Sean’s eyes. It highlighted the chasm that had opened between them, one that a simple text message could not easily bridge.

Big Sean also used his platform to vehemently refute another of Kanye’s accusations: that he did not support West’s presidential campaign. Sean provided concrete evidence of his early and enthusiastic support, stating, “In 2015, when I won a VMA with Ye and John Legend, I was the first person to tweet, ‘Kanye for president.’ The first one, right?” He clarified that during West’s actual campaign, his decision not to endorse anyone publicly was precisely out of loyalty, explaining that “my man’s running,” and he “did not come out and support no Democratic party,” directly contradicting Kanye’s claims. “It’s not true. … It was hurtful. It was hurtful, bro.” This specific rebuttal showcased how deeply affected Sean was by the perceived distortion of his actions and intentions, reinforcing the notion that Kanye’s attacks felt baseless and personally damaging. The episode on Drink Champs ultimately served as a powerful testament to the complex and often tumultuous dynamics within the music industry, where mentorship, loyalty, and financial transparency can become deeply entangled, leaving lasting scars.