CLIENT

Samuel Shabazz

“I’ll be thankful if the fall is as long as the climb,” Detroit artist Samuel Shabazz declares. For over a decade, the musician who balances rapping with melody has built a career brick by brick. Several of his singles have generated significant impressions, but late 2019’s “Hall Of Fame” music video with friend Babyface Ray powered Samuel to new heights. Since then, the prolific and passionate artist has gained momentum through quality and consistency. I Changed My Mind, released in late 2023, manifests years of sharpening skills, making connections, and looking inward to tell a relatable message. The EMPIRE-distributed release features Ray and Veeze, while showcasing Samuel’s need-to-know talent. Now, Samuel Shabazz is planning to soar to new heights with PLANE BOY, his next project, coming this summer.

Samuel Shabazz grew up in Detroit’s Westside. He is the son of platinum singer and songwriter Uncle Sam. “My dad was signed to Boyz II Men; he was their first artist.” Around the time he was in kindergarten, Samuel remembers introducing his father in packed arena shows alongside Destiny’s Child and Next. Naturally, he caught the music bug. Years before his catchy choruses and big and bright melodies, Samuel recalls songs like Tupac’s “All About U” making an impression. The artist sang, rapped, wrote, and produced songs amid a diverse childhood. Experiencing an array of people and places has equipped Samuel with a keen perspective. “I’ve become able to speak to the happiness and struggles of the average person,” he explains. The name Samuel Shabazz reflects this dynamic quality, from an artist influenced by Christianity and the teachings of Malcolm X. “I get to the root of everybody’s issues.”

Even with his ability to relate, Shabazz learned that the climb is not overnight. In the 2000s, the teen artist recorded songs and circulated mixtapes while spending stints in Atlanta and California before eventually earning a Bachelor’s in Recording Arts from Full Sail University in Orlando. In the early 2010s, he applied skills and began releasing projects. “I never stopped working,” he notes, a testament to his staying power. In 2014, while returning to the D, Samuel met Babyface Ray through their mutual friend (and Samuel’s manager), Diego. The two artists bonded as brothers. “From the beginning, It was steel sharpening steel. We were both trying to get better and out to help each other become better—the art and everything around it.” That chemistry is evident in 2019’s Product Of My Environment collaborative album. The Wavy Gang release included “Hall Of Fame,” a video by Samuel, Ray, and Veeze with 9 million views.

“Hall Of Fame” pushed Samuel Shabazz onto new radars. The sought-out Detroit collaborator was breaking beyond the city when he released 2021’s From Me To You and ’22’s Not A Fan. These self-released albums showed growth and range. However, discussions with EMPIRE led to a 2023 partnership and an album building in Samuel’s mind. He quietly chiseled away on I Changed My Mind for much of the last year. The title marks a shift in direction and Samuel’s reframed attitude about his career. “Bring Me Joy” is the crisp mental clarity of an artist manifesting better days. “Don’t Waste My Time” is aware of the now-factor in relationships and the ambition fueling patiently prepared music careers. “Still Can’t Find Me” flaunts Samuel’s voice and ability to be personal and relatable simultaneously. “Dotted Line” reunites with Ray and Veeze to show three artists aware of their intertwined brotherhood and indelible chemistry. I Changed My Mind is about spiritual and creative liberation. Samuel Shabazz is leaning in on his greatness and steering toward his destiny, providing music that resonates with many. Stay tuned for Samuel Shabazz’s next album, PLANE BOY, coming in June 2024.