Big Sean Teams Up with Jay Shetty in Philadelphia
Big Sean credits Jay Shetty for pushing his debut book amid powerful Philly conversations.

Image: Instagram
Big Sean’s Philadelphia Visit
Detroit-born rapper Big Sean made headlines this week when he jetted into Philadelphia to sit down with motivational speaker and author Jay Shetty. In an Instagram post on June 8, Sean shared a series of photos from the meet-up, captioning, “Philly w/ my bro @jayshetty, all love! Powerful conversations per usual. Seems like every sit down gets better than the last. Thank you for giving me the extra push to write my 1st book n being a part of it bro, i’m forever grateful. 🌍📚” (Instagram Post)
Their Philadelphia hangout marks the latest chapter in a friendship that’s grown since Shetty—best known for his podcast On Purpose and his bestselling book Think Like a Monk—encouraged the rapper to step behind the pen. Fans spotted the duo laughing over coffee at a Center City café, while city landmarks peeked through the window of Sean’s sleek black SUV.
Jay Shetty’s Guiding Impact
Jay Shetty, a former monk turned digital sensation, has built a reputation for translating ancient wisdom into modern life hacks. His 2020 release Think Like a Monk has sold over two million copies worldwide, cementing his credibility as a self-help guru. When he met Sean in 2022, Shetty saw untapped potential in the rapper’s storytelling abilities.
“Every time we talk, I see Sean’s mind opening to new perspectives,” Shetty told reporters on the sidelines of the session. “He has the chops of a great writer—now it’s just about channeling his truth.” According to industry insiders, Shetty offered structural feedback on Sean’s early chapters, suggesting themes and exercises that tie into his own work on mindfulness and purpose.
Debut Book On The Horizon
Big Sean, born Sean Michael Leonard Anderson on March 25, 1988, rose to fame with his 2011 debut album Finally Famous and subsequent hits like “I Don’t Fuck with You.” Over the past decade, he’s racked up four Grammy nominations and collaborations with Kanye West, Drake and Eminem. Now, the 35-year-old artist is preparing to publish his first book, a memoir-cum-self-help guide that promises an inside look at his journey through stardom, mental health and faith.
Insiders say the book will arrive later this year under a major imprint. While details on the title remain under wraps, Sean teased that readers can expect “actionable strategies” drawn from his own ups and downs—a format inspired directly by Shetty’s frameworks.
To give fans a taste of being an author, Sean shared throwback footage from his appearance at the Los Angeles Festival of Books in April. In that post, he wrote, “Man I love getting to see face to face who I impact as an author. This book is a tool, a plan of action if you’re stagnate, a book of applying strategies and practices that are thought provoking and tested by faith. This was my first LA festival of books #bookchella n I appreciate all that we shared, Thank yall for having me. I WOULD LOVE TO DO THIS MORE. 🌍” (Instagram Post)
Looking Ahead
With his new project in full swing, Sean is expected to follow Shetty’s advice and weave practical exercises into each chapter. The rapper-turned-author has already hinted at interactive elements—journaling prompts, guided meditations and video supplements—aimed at engaging readers beyond the page.
As for Shetty, he continues to expand his multimedia empire. Earlier this month, he launched a live tour across the US, offering keynote talks on resilience and purpose. Industry watchers note that a live book tour for Sean could dovetail perfectly with Shetty’s events, amplifying both voices to a wider audience.
For now, fans can revisit Sean’s Instagram recap of the Philly session (view it here) and stay tuned for official release dates. If past collaborations are any indication, every new conversation between Big Sean and Jay Shetty promises to spark fresh ideas—and an entire generation of readers might just follow suit.

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