Even in Austin, Texas Big Sean is never disconnected from The Motor City. The G.O.O.D. Music spitter sat with Elliott Wilson last week for a special SXSW edition of CRWN, and he didn’t hesitate to put on for Detroit.

To start part one of the interview, Sean talked more about proving himself with Dark Sky Paradise (the LP notched Sean his first No. 1 debut on the Billboard 200), along with Drake and Kendrick Lamar bookending his album release with projects of their own. “I appreciate the different perspectives,” he said. “It’s kind of like everybody put they own flavor to it, we all bring something to the table.”

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From there, he discussed how family keeps him “focused” in the music industry, taking over for his late grandmother as the family’s financial backbone and why Detroit is a standout city. “Detroit is a place that’s been through so many ups and downs,” he said. “We been the center of the country, we been the bottom of the country. I’m talking 'bout from Motown to the automotive industry, to last year [the city filing for bankruptcy]. But throughout it all we all maintain a certain level of support. and we always know how to survive. We’re a city of hustlers.”

The “Blessings” rapper pointed out that “some of the best art" is born from struggle. “I think that’s what makes Detroit special.”

He also talked about the Detroit mixtape dropping before 2013’s Hall of Fame. The mixtape was meant as an appetizer for the LP, but was meaty enough for a main course. “I f***ed up,” he admitted about following the wrong advice and releasing Detroit before his sophomore album. “It was all a learning process, I’m proud of everything I’ve done... Detroit was like a really good body of work. I consider it an album.”

Part II of Sean’s interview will be out this week via WatchLoud.com. 

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 (Photo: Rahav Segev/Getty Images for Connected Ventures)