Big Sean released the second single off of his upcoming studio album ‘Detroit 2’ today. The latest track, titled “Harder Than My Demons,” follows the regular topic of Big Sean’s dedication to his work beyond everything else.
Big Sean released “Harder Than My Demons” on August 31, 2020, as the second single off of his fifth studio album ‘Detroit 2.’ The track is a quick follow-up to the first single “Deep Reverence” released just a week back.
Big Sean took to Instagram to give us a little insight into the song; “I know we need motivation right now, in life and music! It’s been too much trauma n tragedy lately. I’m a do my part, I just pray y’all hear me out!.”
The outro of the song is performed by Justin Bieber!
Watch “Harder Than My Demons” by Big Sean
“Harder Than My Demons” Lyrics Meaning and Song Review
Verse 1
Big Sean kicks off the track with a narration of his work ethic. The rapper is known to brag about his commitment to his work which is his music. But an important lesson to take away from these lines is “Hard work don’t mean sh*t if it ain’t smart.” Work hard, but work smart as well. Otherwise, your hard work will not bear the maximum fruits of its labour.
“I got enough sense, and I slipped through the cracks” raps Big Sean. Sliping through the cracks usually mean that he is slacking behind or dropping off the track. But Big Sean adds that he had enough sense to slip through the cracks. This could mean that Big Sean was able to slip out of the usual rut people get stuck in this life. There will be ever so tiny cracks in the ‘system’ where one could slip through and actually be happy doing what you love.
Big Sean also drops another very motivational line in which he says that his current state is similar to the idols he used to look up to when he was just starting. What else could someone achiever in their life!
Big Sean namedrops Dr. Sebi, a Honduran herbalist and self-proclaimed healer, who also practiced in the United States for a period in the late 20th and early 21st centuries. Bowman claimed to cure all diseases with herbs and a vegan diet based on various pseudoscientific claims. He passed away from Pneumonia while jailed for money laundering.
Big Sean also namedrops Eazy-E, who passed away in 1995 due to complications from AIDS.
The rapper also touches on the toxicity of society in general: greed and lies have overtaken the capitalist systems. There are angels and demons fighting inside his soul and its a never ending battle. But fortunately enough, Big Sean found God.
Chorus
On the hook of the song, Big Sean lets us know the secret of his success. There will always be demons trying to pull you down. So you have to work harder than those demons. Fun fact is that those demons are inside of you. Success is an art of mastering your own self.
Verse 2
At the jump of the second verse on “Harder Than My Demons,” Big Sean shouts out to the iconic singer, songwriter, and producer Luther Vandross and one of his most famous works “Never Too Much” from 1981.
Big Sean also adds that a real woman can complete the life for a man after he has his ‘job’ sorted out. He goes onto elaborate on the kind of ‘job’ that he prefers as the work that begins after you quit your ‘9 to 5.’ It is still work, but the difference is you love it. You still pour your blood, sweat, and tears into this work, but you and only you reap its benefits, not your boss. Find yourself an income source that you love and that’s legit, and find yourself a woman to keep you company forever, and you are set for life!
Because at the end of the day, being a billionaire or a person with a sufficient income has no difference. They will all value a roof over their heads, food in their stomach, and a person to be loved by, and that’s about it. This is why ‘rock bottom’ and a ‘mountain top’ could feel the same sometimes.
Let us hear what you think about “Harder Than My Demons” by Big Sean in the comments below. Check out the complete lyrics and further meaning breakdown on Genius.
