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Prince Williams / Contributor via Getty s, Prince Williams / Contributor via Getty s, and Scott Legato / Contributor via Getty s
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Babyface Ray, Tee Grizzley, and 42 Dugg
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With prominent figures such as Big Sean and Eminem returning from their breaks and emerging talents like Veeze taking the digital stage, Detroit’s momentum is undeniable. On Thursday (Sept. 19), Babyface Ray made an appearance on “The Breakfast Club” to discuss the city’s rising prominence in the Hip Hop landscape.
“Initially, it was challenging for us, but now, no matter where you turn, everyone appreciates our sound. It’s a great time now, but the beginning was tough. They weren’t even interested in listening,” Ray shared candidly. When probed about the transformation in the 313’s music environment, he pointed to Tee Grizzley’s “First Day Out” as the catalyst: “It really brought attention to Detroit’s unique vibe and everything that followed… Sada [Baby], [42] Dugg, it was pretty dope.”
Although he hasn’t put out an album in quite a while, Sada made waves with “Whole Lotta Choppas.” The track ascended to No. 35 on the Hot 100 chart, propelled by Nicki Minaj joining the official remix. In the meantime, Dugg and Lil Baby ruled the summer of 2020 with “We Paid,” while the Michigan sensation’s “Dog Food” and “Been Turnt” previously established him as an artist to watch.
During his conversation with DJ Envy and Charlamagne Tha God, Ray also highlighted the growing solidarity among Detroit artists—specifically noting the absence of conflicts. “It’s more about everyone realizing that we’ve got a job to do. We don’t need to be fond of each other or socialize closely, but with all the drama that surrounds us, we don’t [need to escalate things],” he elaborated.
On Sept. 13, Ray released his newest album, The Kid That Did. This 20-track compilation features collaborations with G Herbo, Peezy, Fabolous, Hunxcho, BossMan Dlow, and many more. He kickstarted the project with hit tracks like “Count Money” and “Rubberband Man.”