Detroit features guest appearances from fellow rappers such as J. Cole, Juicy J, King Chip, French Montana, Royce da 5'9", Kendrick Lamar and Tyga, along with track narrations by Common, Young Jeezy and Snoop Lion.

American singers including Chris Brown, Jhené Aiko, James Fauntleroy and Mike Posner also make guest appearances on the mixtape.

Production is by Hit-Boy, Da Internz, 808 Mafia's own producers Lex Luger and Southside and KeY Wane, among others.

[1] On September 4, 2020, Big Sean released a sequel to the mixtape titled Detroit 2, as his fifth studio album.

[2] Big Sean released three song previews in the shape of short music videos as promotion before the mixtape release; "How It Feel" on August 21, "24 Karats of Gold" on August 28 and "RWT" on September 4.