Big Sean Reflects on the Success and Controversy of “I Don’t F**k With You”

Big Sean, whose real name is Sean Michael Leonard Anderson, recently sat down with the St. Brown Podcast to reflect on one of his biggest hits to date, “I Don’t Fu-k With You.”

The track, released in September 2014 as the lead single from his 2015 album Dark Sky Paradise, became a massive success, going 9x platinum in the United States and topping the US R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, US Hot Rap Songs, and US Rhythmic charts between 2014 and 2015.

Produced by Mustard, Kanye West, DJ Dahi, Mike Free, and Key Wane, the record had fans speculating from the start. Many believed the song was directed at Big Sean’s ex-fiancée, Naya Rivera, whom he had broken up with in April 2014. The speculation intensified when Rivera went on to marry Ryan Dorsey on July 19, 2014—the same date she was originally set to marry Big Sean. While the Detroit rapper repeatedly denied the song was about Rivera, he later expressed regret after her passing in 2020, saying he wished he had never made the track.

Jay-Z and Beyoncé’s Take on the Song

During the podcast, Big Sean shared how the song came together and how close it was to never making the album. He revealed that he was freestyling, attempting to create a record with the same energy as legendary rapper Too Short, when the track started taking shape.

At the time, Sean was managed by Roc Nation and had the chance to preview the song for Jay-Z and Beyoncé at their home. While Beyoncé thought the track might be “too disrespectful,” Hov saw the potential and encouraged Sean to drop it, saying, “Every day you don’t release this song, you’re losing.” Beyoncé even suggested that Nicki Minaj be featured on the track to provide a female perspective.

Despite initial hesitation, Sean ultimately decided to release the song as a single, and the reaction was instantaneous. He recalled being shocked by how quickly it took off and admitted he had contemplated not including it on his album.

Though “I Don’t Fu-k With You” remains one of his most recognizable hits, it also remains one of his most controversial. Nearly a decade later, the song’s legacy is still a topic of discussion—both for its chart-topping successand its rumored real-life inspiration.