Big Sean Says ‘IDFWU’ Was Not A Diss Towards Naya Rivera
Big Sean is still coming to terms with his ex-fiancee Naya Rivera’s death.
In a new interview with Vulture published on Tuesday (September 1), the Detroit rapper opened up about some of the speculation that’s followed his music career over these last few years amid preparations for his much-anticipated album, Detroit 2, which is out on Friday (September 4).
Sean touched on the intent behind one of his biggest and most controversial hits, “IDFWU.” Originally released in 2015 on his Dark Sky Paradise album, the Mustard-produced record has long been associated with his highly-publicized break-up from Naya Rivera. The two dated for years and were briefly engaged before calling the relationship off in 2014.
However, while speaking to Vulture, Sean denied that the record was ever about the late Glee starlet.
“I’m still processing a lot of that,” Sean admits of Rivera’s death this year. “I don’t feel comfortable talking about it because I want to respect her. She’s made such an impact on people, and she’s done so many great things in her life and her career that it was hurtful to even have that [song] be associated with her.”
In July, Rivera tragically drowned while swimming in a California lake with her 4-year-old son. The actress and author was 33.
The rapper clarified that the song was never intended as a diss towards his ex. “I truly made the song and played it for her. She knew about it, and she liked it. We had a breakup that was very public, and we were young and we [forgave] each other and moved on from that,” the 32-year-old said. Nonetheless, he added, “if I would have known something this tragic would have happened, I would have never made the song.”
Read the rest of Big Sean’s Vulture profile to see what else says about rap beefs, a possible musical team-up with his G.O.O.D. Music crew, and more.
