Vancouver artist Terell Safadi has never shied away from emotion, but his new single “One Last Ride” pushes into deeply personal territory. The CMW and WCMA nominated rapper returns with a record shaped by family, loss, and a request that carries weight beyond the studio.
“One Last Ride” was written for Safadi’s stepfather, who is currently battling ALS, also known as Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, a progressive neurological disease that affects nerve cells controlling muscle movement. As the disease advances, it gradually robs individuals of their ability to walk, speak, eat, and eventually breathe. Each year, approximately 1,000 Canadians are diagnosed with ALS, and roughly 3,000 to 4,000 Canadians are living with ALS at any given time.
A father figure throughout Safadi’s childhood, he helped raise him from the age of five through his early teenage years. Following his diagnosis, he made one request: that Safadi write a song he could listen to for the rest of his life. “One Last Ride” became that song, and stands as one of the most vulnerable releases of Safadi’s career.
Terell Safadi (Photo: Supplied)
Recorded during an emotionally charged session, Safadi delivered his vocals through tears, leaning into the rawness rather than smoothing it out. The track shifts away from the high energy hip-hop that has defined much of his catalog, instead focusing on storytelling and reflection. The tone is cinematic and restrained, drawing from universal themes of memory, gratitude, and the quiet weight of impending loss.
“I call you up, tell you I’m outside / Hit the town, ride around — one last ride” – Terell Safadi (“One Last Ride”)
The single also marks a new chapter for Safadi behind the boards. “One Last Ride” serves as his first official release as a producer, co-produced alongside Adam of North Vancouver’s ATo-MIK. The collaboration brings a layered sound that blends hip-hop, R&B, rock, and pop, reflecting the duo’s “Underground Pop” approach. Live drums anchor the track, adding a steady pulse that mirrors the emotional core of the song.
The release follows Safadi’s album, Live Now Die Later, which surpassed one million streams and led to performances across North America, including stops in New York and Boise. While that project leaned into energetic production, “One Last Ride” pulls things inward, offering a quieter but more intimate perspective.
In other Safadi news, the Vancity artist is also beginning to expand into acting. Represented by Trisko Talent Management Inc., Safadi was recently featured in a commercial for Preventable, signalling a growing presence beyond music.
Support ALS Research in Canada
ALS affects thousands of Canadians and currently has no cure. Organizations like ALS Canada work to fund research, support families, and improve quality of life for those living with the disease. To learn more, donate, or find ways to get involved, visit their website and help support the fight against ALS.
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