Rapper Big Sean, born Sean Anderson, is teaming up with Emagine Entertainment to build a cinema multiplex in his hometown of Detroit. The venue will include a theater and auditoriums that can double as performance spaces and more. The “Blessings” rapper told Crain’s Detroit Business, “I feel that it is necessary to build a theater in the city, not only because of the joy and inspiration movies will bring to people’s lives, but I hope this theater will become a hub of creativity — a place for intimate concerts, lectures, meetings, and other events.”
Emagine Entertainment chairmen Paul Glantz agreed, adding that the movie market in Detroit is “underserved”. He continued, “In combining the strength of a local entertainment powerhouse, Big Sean, with the operating prowess of Emagine, the void will be filled in a glorious fashion.”
Details of the partnership were not provided but Big Sean stressed the importance of ownership during a 15-minute press conference held on Wednesday, “I feel like one of the aspirations when you do something creative, like music or any type of business, is to be an owner in something. This is something outside of music that I’m actually an owner in. I think it’s important to show the kids of Detroit, the people of the city, that you actually can be an owner … I hope it’s a good example of bossing up and doing what you will.”
The theater, to be named The Sean Anderson Theatre, powered by Emagine is expected to have upward of 1300 seats as well as 10-12 screens. An exact location in Detroit has not been determined but midtown or downtown are frontrunners. Construction is expected to be completed in 2020.
