Big Sean Donates Proceeds From New Self-Help Book to Fire Relief: ‘There Are Families That Are in Real Need’
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Big Sean can now add author to his resume. The Detroit native’s first book, Go Higher: Five Practices for Purpose, Success, and Inner Peace was published on Jan 21. Big Sean hasn’t let writing a book cut into studio time, either — his latest album Better Me Than You dropped in August of last year.
Go Higher
The book, published by Simon & Schuster, features a foreword from self-help author and On Purpose podcaster Jay Shetty. In an Instagram post from December, Big Sean, born Sean Anderson, explained that his motivation to write the book was spurred by a conversation he had with Shetty, “I took the time over the last 2 years to write this, Go Higher.. My view on self-reflection, taking action, and mental persistence for anyone that is looking to better themselves.”
Big Sean delayed and canceled several book events due to the wildfires in Los Angeles, which claimed the house of long-term partner Jhene Aiko and their son Noah. “My family’s house caught on fire, I couldn’t commit to anything except that,” he explained on Instagram, adding that he would be donating the proceeds of the book’s preorders to benefit those affected by the ongoing Altadena and Palisades fires.
Big Sean has been increasingly open about his own mental health journey, telling Michael Eric Dyson in 2021 that he contemplated suicide, and was able to improve his mental health by taking a step back from his career. “I took the time off, canceled everything I was doing, sought therapy, connected with God more, spiritually grounded myself, and put myself first as a priority for the first time ever.”
The book is available in hardcover and eBook or an audiobook, narrated by Big Sean.