Lil Wayne, Buju Banton, Shabba Ranks Bless Jeymes Samuels’ “Hallelujah Heaven” From ‘The Book of Clarence’

As the official trailer for The Book Of Clarence premieres, director Jeymes Samuel is also releasing the lead single from the soundtrack.

“Hallelujah Heaven” was written and produced by the British filmmaker and features Lil Wayne, Shabba Ranks, and Buju Banton.

“There was never a question as to whether I would compose the score and write and perform on the soundtrack, as well as write and direct the movie — it was all one amazing journey where one depended on the other. But I also worked with the most awesome artists on our track ‘Hallelujah Heaven.’ Collaborating with Lil’ Wayne, Buju Banton and Shabba Ranks was so dope, I loved getting them all on the same track,” said Samuel in a statement.

Prior to working together, the 44-year-old told The Hollywood Reporter that he and Wayne didn’t know each other, but Weezy immediately agreed to collaborate after hearing the track.

In the film, ”Hallelujah Heaven” appears “when we first see Jesus, the majestic Messiah, so I wanted three majestic human beings to feature on that track,” noted Samuel to the outlet.

Of the film itself in comparison to his previous works, he added in a separate statement, “The Book of Clarence is a film that I wanted to make for many years. While I was working on The Harder They Fall and all my other projects, the story and the music for The Book of Clarence was always there percolating in my mind.”

The Book Of Clarence soundtrack will also include new music from Jay-Z, Kid Cudi, Adekunle Gold, Jorja Smith, Yemi Alade, and more.

The film is described by Sony Pictures as a “bold new take on the timeless Hollywood era Biblical epic.” Set in 29 A.D. Jerusalem, Clarence (LaKeith Stanfield) is a street-savvy swindler, who attempts to prove to his loved ones that he isn’t a nobody by claiming to be the new Messiah. He winds up risking everything to form a new path to “a divine life, a journey through which he finds redemption and faith, power and knowledge.”

The Book of Clarence —starring Stanfield, Teyana Taylor, David Oyelowo, Alfre Woodard, Caleb McLaughlin, and more— is slated for a nationwide, theatrical release on January 12, 2024.

The film’s official trailer is also out now.