“IDFWU,” Big Sean’s 2014 single that seemingly addressed the end of his relationship with Naya Rivera wasn’t a diss record, the rapper revealed in a lengthy Vulture interview promoting his forthcoming Detroit 2 album .
Sean confessed to being hurt that Rivera is associated with the song. “I’m still processing a lot of that,” he said when asked if he regretted recording the track. “I don’t feel comfortable talking about it because I want to respect her. She’s made such an impact on people, and she’s done so many great things in her life and her career that it was hurtful to even have that [song] be associated with her.”
Sean pointed out that he played the song for Rivera before it was released. “She knew about it and she liked it.”
He also noted that they “forgave each other” after their very public break up. “If I would have known something this tragic would have happened, I would have never made the song.”
As stated in her 2016 memoir, Sorry Not Sorry: Mistakes, and Growing Up, Rivera knew about the song but asked him not to make it about a relationship, she specifically didn’t want the words “ex” or “girl” in the song. Ultimately, Rivera felt that Sean disobeyed her wishes but the Glee star was able to have fun with the song, which she performed on an episode of Lip Sync Battle in 2018.
Rivera died from an accidental drowning in July. She was 33.