Origins is our recurring series that offers artists a platform to break down everything that went into their latest release. Today, Big B shares the inspirations behind his new Killer Mike collaboration, “Pretend.”
Las Vegas artist Big B’s new collaboration with Killer Mike, “Pretend,” is the culmination of a promise made good two years later. The latest single off his new album, Wellness Check, is officially out on July 12th, but you can hear it now exclusively via Consequence below.
Big B first met Killer Mike when he worked with motocross legend Carey Hart on a custom Indian motorcycle for the Atlanta rapper in 2022. Upon receiving the bike, Mike said, “Big B, I look forward to giving you a verse.”
In the interim, Big B wrote the song that would become “Pretend” during a trip to Joshua Tree with his longtime friends and songwriting duo, Johnny Baldaray and Jared Palazzolo of TAVALANE. Speaking to Consequence via email, Big B explains how his life experiences are encapsulated in the song.
“From my youth to an aging adult, this is the appreciation of taking stock and embracing it all regardless of the outcome,” he says. “Inspired by early days of innocence and wonder as a kid imagining the time is set on repeat so that it never ends. I wish there was a way to know you are in the good old days before you leave them.”
Stream “Pretend” and read Big B’s Origins breakdown below.
“Pretend” is the third single from Wellness Check, Big B’s first album in over a decade. It’s out on July 26th via Regime Music Group, and pre-orders are ongoing.