I wonder if Big Sean heard Jhéne Aiko’s breakup song from earlier…
Big Sean is as motivated as ever right now. He’s dropping freestyles that sneak diss GOATs, releasing singles, and teasing albums. If I had to guess, Sean’s new baby boy is fueling his drive. If not that, it could be all the “big 3” hoopla. Whatever the case may be, Sean fans should be very excited.
After releasing the highly successful “Precision” a few months ago and “Yes” a few days ago, Big Sean is back with a new single called “On Up.”
The way time moving, it really won’t be long
I pray I’m there for every memory you want me on
I got to teach him that it’s more than a rat race
More than a cash chase and if you chase cash
That just means that it’s running away
Instead of turning what you love into a company
And watch the money come to me
My, what has the world done to me?Big Sean in “On Up”
Big Sean dedicates “On Up” to his young son. In the track, he speaks about seeing his inner self in his son, teaching him the world’s ways, and imagining himself as an old grandfather sooner rather than later. As someone with a young son growing up quickly, I completely relate to him.
Interestingly, “On Up” sounds like a glorified freestyle. Over a slightly dusty, flipped version of Jodeci’s classic “Get On Up” beat, Sean delivers nothing but focused bars—no flashy chorus or bridge. In fact, I don’t even think he gets any signature punchlines or tricky wordplay off. We do get an emotional outro towards the end.
Big Sean is anti-nonsense these days, and I love that.
Quincy is the creator of Ratings Game Music. He loves writing about music, taking long walks on beaches, and spaghetti that fights him back.
