Big Sean and Hit-Boy, household names in the rap music scene with numerous accolades under their belts, are a force to be reckoned with. The duo met in a California recording studio in 2009 and have each built out their own musical careers over the last two decades while orbiting the same circles of A-list artists and producers.
The industry veterans each bring unique flavors to their musical projects, but it's when the pair comes together that they really shine, elevating each other's talents while still holding their own.Their styles meld together in savory harmony, showcased in the recent release of their collaborative EP What You Expect. The recording features appearances from Lil Durk, Bryson Tiller, Babyface Ray and 42 Dugg and sprinkles heavy-hitting rap lyrics among six bass-boosted tracks.
The longtime collaborators recently released their 'What You Expect' EP -- and say there's still more to come.
Photographer: Robin Harper
By: HB Team
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Big Sean and
Hit-Boy Are a Musical Force
But at the time of their first encounter in 2009, both Hit-Boy and Big Sean were still perfecting their craft. Both were eyeing stardom and staying "strictly focused on the music and trying to make that happen."
"None of this was for real, we were just trying to figure it out," Hit-Boy said of their burgeoning music careers when they began collaborating over a decade ago. Big Sean featured on the energetic track “Option” off of Hit-Boy’s first solo project, 2012’s HITStory, setting the stage for future collaborations and highlighting their smooth dynamic.
"You're dropping jams," Hit-Boy said of Big Sean's contribution to the EP. "Still mixing it in with crazy flows...I feel like there aren't too many people that can f--- with you when it comes to making a real rap over a turnt-up beat."
"Most people rely on the beat and let the beat do all the work, but you attacked that thing," he said proudly.
As his name suggests, Hit-Boy is known for turning out hits, producing Drake's "Trophies" and Beyonce's "XO," among many others. Big Sean, too, has kept busy, releasing five studio albums, several mixtapes and a number of chart-topping singles including "Dance (A$$)," "I Don't F--- With You," and "Bounce Back." Between the two of them, they have 15 Grammy nominations, three wins and three No. 1 albums.
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"I feel like that's the type of work we put into this -- challenging ourselves but we still have fun," Hit-Boy said. "It ain't nothing that's like 'oh we're taking ourselves too seriously.' We're just in [the studio] doing us."
Crafting an EP wasn't always the goal, as the duo had initially planned to release one or two collaborative singles. But as the musical minds kept creating more and more content to fill out an EP, What You Expect was completed organically. Hit-Boy shared that while “Clique” made an impact, it was really their work in the past three years that led them to the project. “I feel like us, we’re truly getting better with every song we make,” Hit-Boy said, and Big Sean agreed enthusiastically. “We didn’t drop s—, we got multi-platinum songs and s—, but I feel like this is our best foot so far.”
"We were dope at making music but really had to hone in," Hit-Boy recalled.
Having teamed up on several projects over the years, including Kelly Rowland's "Lay It on Me" in 2011 and the star-packed G.O.O.D. Fridays release "Christmas in Harlem," their latest EP marks a reunion of talent after achieving whirlwind successes on their own. The two creative minds said that crafting the latest EP just seemed to fall into place, given their natural chemistry, but they also wanted to ensure that they have fun making it.
"Just feeding the listeners -- that's what it's all about," said Big Sean.
"It's urgent, it's needed right now, that's what I feel like," Hit-Boy said of the EP.
Big Sean said the release was crafted with different listening environments in mind. “I just want to feed my audience with more than music...and give them the energy to feel good, whether it's through their workout or their morning rituals or turning up," he said. "I just want them to feel it and for it to be the soundtrack to whatever they're doing."
Having recently worked together on Detroit 2, Big Sean’s third consecutive no. 1 album released in September 2020, the duo remain focused on their commitment to “feed the people, feed the streets.”
"We have so much music," Big Sean said of their trove of sonic experimentation. "We had so much to choose from. That's why we went from three songs to four songs and we figured 'let's just give them six songs' because it's really about feeding the people."
As to the timing of the release, both artists said that they wanted to provide a multi-purpose soundtrack for people beginning to return to their pre-COVID routines. The pair referred to themselves as conscious people and stressed the importance of being tuned in to their supporter’s needs. "There’s always going to be a level of consciousness. There’s always going to be a level of thought and intentions because that’s just the people we are,” Big Sean shared. “But at the same time, it’s just fun, man, and aggressive.”
"Just feeding the listeners -- that's what it's all about," said Big Sean.
"There’s always going to be a level of consciousness. There’s always going to be a level of thought and intentions because that’s just the people we are,”
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Riding on the success of their EP, the pair hinted at additional releases in the future.
"The last three years have led up to this point right now," Hit-Boy said. "I feel like we're truly getting better with every song we make."
"Yeah, but we've got some more," Big Sean smirked, without revealing too much.
Stream Big Sean and Hit-Boy’s What You Expect on Spotify and Apple Music now.
Photographer: Robin Harper
By: HB Team
"
"There’s always going to be a level of consciousness. There’s always going to be a level of thought and intentions because that’s just the people we are,”
Riding on the success of their EP, the pair hinted at additional releases in the future.
"The last three years have led up to this point right now," Hit-Boy said. "I feel like we're truly getting better with every song we make."
"Yeah, but we've got some more," Big Sean smirked, without revealing too much.
Stream Big Sean and Hit-Boy’s What You Expect on Spotify and Apple Music now.