I Know
by Big Sean (featuring Jhené Aiko)

Album: Dark Sky Paradise (2015)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Big Sean and Jhené Aiko team up on this sexy track where they make a real connection. They understand each other and form a bond as they look forward to a getaway where they can relieve their stress.

    At the time, Aiko was married to the producer Dot da Genius and Sean was dating Ariana Grande, but the pair had a real connection. The following year they released a collaborative album called Twenty88 and started dating. They split around 2019 but got back together and had a child together in 2022: a son named Noah Hasani.
  • Sean and Aiko wrote "I Know" with the track's producers, DJ Mustard and Key Wane, who also laced the beats for the Dark Sky Paradise tracks "Deep" and "I Don't F--k With You." Wane and Sean have known each other since high school and have often worked together.
  • The music video, directed by Lawrence Lamont, takes place years in the future when Jhené Aiko and Big Sean are well into their dotage. They meet at a nursing home and make an instant connection, but are thwarted by the staff. Undeterred, they hatch a plan and escape, going on an adventure together before returning to the residence.
  • Thanks to the memorable video and Sean's real-life romance with Jhené Aiko, "I Know" remains one of the most enduring tracks a track from the Dark Sky Paradise album, which went to #1 in America. The track got enough streams and downloads to be certified Platinum in 2017, and then Double Platinum in 2021.
  • Big Sean released the videos for "I Know," "All Your Fault," and "One Man Can Change the World" within a week of each other. The "I Know" video ended up being the most popular.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Jesus Thinks You're a Jerk: Rock vs. Televangelists

Jesus Thinks You're a Jerk: Rock vs. TelevangelistsSong Writing

When televangelists like Jimmy Swaggart took on rockers like Ozzy Osbourne and Metallica, the rockers retaliated. Bono could even be seen mocking the preachers.

Stand By Me: The Perfect Song-Movie Combination

Stand By Me: The Perfect Song-Movie CombinationSong Writing

In 1986, a Stephen King novella was made into a movie, with a classic song serving as title, soundtrack and tone.

Donald Fagen

Donald FagenSongwriter Interviews

Fagen talks about how the Steely Dan songwriting strategy has changed over the years, and explains why you don't hear many covers of their songs.

Maria Muldaur

Maria MuldaurSongwriter Interviews

The "Midnight At The Oasis" singer is an Old Time gal. She talks about her jug band beginnings and shares a Dylan story.

90210 to Buffy to Glee: How Songs Transformed TV

90210 to Buffy to Glee: How Songs Transformed TVSong Writing

Shows like Dawson's Creek, Grey's Anatomy and Buffy the Vampire Slayer changed the way songs were heard on TV, and produced some hits in the process.

Rush: Album by Album - A Conversation With Martin Popoff

Rush: Album by Album - A Conversation With Martin PopoffSong Writing

A talk with Martin Popoff about his latest book on Rush and how he assessed the thousands of albums he reviewed.