Babyface Ray: Samuel Shabazz delivers on the 'LIFE GETS HARD' anthem

Who says you have to wait until Friday to drop new fire? Turns out musicians Samuel Shabazz and Babyface Ray are staying busy all week long coming through with their new ‘LIFE GETS HARD’ anthem.

Babyface Ray and Samuel Shabazz team up for their ‘LIFE GETS HARD’ anthem

It’s more than just a casual drop. The duo team up to deliver a mid-week audio gem teasing this week’s drop of the new PLANEBOY studio album.

Continuing to rise week after week, Samuel Shabazz is proving why he’s one of the Detroit music scene’s hidden gems. Getting ready to release his new album PLANEBOY this Friday, he shares “LIFE GETS HARD” ft. Babyface Ray, a single from the project. The track finds Sam and Ray reflecting on how far they’ve come in life, appreciating their journey to the top and ability to make the climb look easy. Babyface Ray delivers a standout verse with his powerful vocals, singing “Was in last place, now we the ones who hold the trophy,” over ethereal synths. Sam also shines on the track, rapping over summery production: “Life gets hard, make it look easy / I been speedin.’”

"LIFE GETS HARD" arrives ahead of Samuel Shabazz’s upcoming album PLANEBOY, coming this Friday June 21st via Wavy Gang/EMPIRE. In preparation for the album, Sam has been sharing singles, including the lovestruck anthem “FOR YOU,” the flex-filled “1800 CALL SAM," and the Detroit-inspired "PULL ME BACK." The project's features include Sam's Wavy Gang boss Babyface Ray and other rising Detroit artists Talibando, Moxie Knox, and Dre Butterz.

PLANEBOY will be Samuel Shabazz’s latest step in journey to the top of Detroit’s rap game. Growing up in Detroit’s Westside, he was introduced to music by his father, Uncle Sam, an R&B artist signed to Boyz II Men’s label during the 1990s. Starting to rap, write, and produce amidst a restlessly creative childhood, filled with trips to the studio with his dad, he later began recording during stints in Atlanta and California, while earning a Bachelor's degree in Recording Arts. In 2014, while returning to Deroit, Samuel met Babyface Ray through a mutual friend. The two artists bonded as brothers and began collaborating on music. Their chemistry is evident in Product Of My Environment, their 2019 collab album, which includes the hit track "Hall Of Fame” ft. Veeze(9M YT views). The track pushed Samuel onto new radars and made him a sought-out Detroit collaborator. He began to break beyond the city with 2021's From Me To You and 2022's Not A Fan. Last year, he released the introspective I Changed My Mind, which marks a shift in direction and Samuel's reframed attitude about his career. The project earned Samuel’s most buzz yet in Detroit, and includes Samuel’s most streamed song to date “Dotted Line” ft. Veeze (1.5M YT views).

Trae Tha Truth connects with Babyface Ray for their crystal-clear 'Shake Em Off' visual gem

If you want to look for some inspiration in the realm of high-quality visuals, look no further than what Houston legend Trae Tha Truth is serving up these days. He takes the craft with pure seriousness and his ‘Shake Em Off’ music video is insanely detailed with perfection.

Trae Tha Truth and Babyface Ray connect on ‘Shake Em Off’

The hip-hop heavyweight teamed up with Motown’s own Babyface Ray to put their distinct styles together for the culture to embrace. Clocking in at just over three minutes, the new music video features all types of flexing and even pays homage to the late New York rap icon DMX.

The H-Town representative Trae Tha Truth dropped his newest video for “Shake Em Off” featuring The Motor City’s Babyface Ray. “Shake Em Off” is a single from his newest album Truth Season: The United Streets of America, released in February. 

Switching swiftly from colorful scenes to black and white, this video captures the very essence of the record. Both Trae and Babyface Ray pay homage to their hometown in their respective ways. The visual is directed by Tru Films.

Trae has since stepped up to provide some insight into the power of bringing a couple of notable regions together both on the same song and visual.

Trae describes the energy of the song as “a crazy wave that connects Texas and Detroit with the sound of two unique voices giving that street game. Two staples in their market teaming up.”