TOP CELEBRITY ARTS: Big Sean Is 'The Next Generation Of Hip-Hop'

Industry vet Kevin Liles downplays his role in Kanye West protégé's top-five debut, in Mixtape Daily.
By Rob Markman

Big Sean
Photo: Getty Images / MTV News

Executive Decision: Kevin Liles
Big Sean is Finally Famous after selling more than 87,000 copies of his debut album and landing the #3 spot on the Billboard albums chart.

Part of the reason has been the addition of former Def Jam and Warner Music Group President Kevin Liles to Sean's management team. Liles, however, humbly downplayed his involvement.

"G.O.O.D. Music did an amazing job ... and I'm just glad I'm still here and able to give light and share some experience to what these kids are going through," Liles told Mixtape Daily from the red carpet at DJ Cassidy's birthday party Wednesday in New York City. "He's the next generation of hip-hop."

Back in February, Sean added Liles and his KWL company to his management team to work alongside his already-existing manager, Mike Brinkley. It was around that time Sean confirmed a split with previous manager Michael "Blue" Williams, an industry veteran who helped guide the careers of Outkast and R&B group Jagged Edge.

In the months leading up to Sean's release, he began to garner big looks, performing his #1 rap single "My Last" alongside Chris Brown at the 2011 BET Awards and on the main stage at Hot 97's annual Summer Jam concert in June. Now, Sean's star is set to shine brighter as he preps the Hype Williams-directed video for his Kanye West-assisted single "Marvin & Chardonnay."

It was Sean's natural talents that got him this far; Liles just gave him a bit of a push. "All I did was fan his fire. I don't make stars or anything like that; I just help them do what they do best," Liles said. "He's a great rapper, he's fashion, he's entertainment, he's a lyricist, he's all those things, and I'm just glad again they allowed me to be part of it."

For other artists featured in Mixtape Daily, check out Mixtape Daily Headlines.

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