Big Sean usually celebrates the start of a new school year by handing out school supplies to kids in his hometown of Detroit. The rapper continued that annual tradition this year, visiting Carleton Elementary School and the Blackwell Institute and giving out backpacks to students as they begin the new year. His Sean Anderson Foundation provides 1,000 backpacks to students in the Detroit Public Schools system. Immediately following, Sean had to head to Brooklyn, New York, for his Coors Axis performance this weekend.
While there, he shared his perspective on teenagers learning to appreciate all that junior high and high school have to offer them.
“I don’t think students in school should focus on rapping – I think they should focus on school,” Sean said. “But I think that if there’s something you’re passionate about, you should pursue your passion.”
As it pertains to going to school, Sean explained that too many young people don’t understand how much is gained by attending – beyond just academic benefits.
“But you learn so much from school – more than just math, science and history. You learn how to interact,” the rapper shared. “That girl you got a crush on, that guy you got a crush on, you got your homies [who] are there… When I was younger, I was like ‘I don’t wanna go to school,’ and then I got older and was like, I was stupid. It’s way better than just kicking it.”
Sean says that he wants young people to understand that they can pursue whatever creative dreams they have, but it should be in tandem with pursuing their education.
“Focus on school and focus on your passion,” Sean said.
