Barely Holdin' On
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| "Barely Holdin' On" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single by Polo G | ||||
| from the album Hood Poet | ||||
| Released | August 18, 2023 | |||
| Length | 2:54 | |||
| Label | Columbia | |||
| Songwriter(s) | ||||
| Producer(s) | ||||
| Polo G singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
"Barely Holdin' On" is a song by American rapper Polo G. It was released on August 18, 2023 as a single for his upcoming fourth studio album, Hood Poet. The song was produced by Southside, Dr. Luke, and Noah Goldstein.
Background[edit]
On August 15, 2023, Bartlett officially announced his next album, Hood Poet. He announced the single for release the following Friday, with the album to release on September 15, 2023.[1]
Composition[edit]
The song features tranquil guitars and keyboards and a fidgety beat.[2] Throughout the song, Polo raps about his mental-health and gunplay, with lines such as: "Ain't hard to figure him out 'cause all his thoughts was tweeted/ We blew some shots to shut him up, that’s why his top was leakin'."[3] In the first verse, Polo G mentions his childhood friend who was shot and killed in a drive-by on September 18, 2014,[2][4] while in the second verse he raps about his upbringing, in which he raps about his heavy trauma.[2]
Critical reception[edit]
Alexander Cole of HotNewHipHop called the track "an uplifting yet emotional song that speaks to some of the trauma Polo G has faced throughout his life."[5] Vibe said that the song "soundtracks the visual, but paints a picture of the artist attempting to rationalize his own trauma, as well."[4]
Music video[edit]
Polo G released the song's music video on August 18, 2023. It was directed by Araad and shows scenes of Polo G at a piano as well as with living individuals who each go through their own struggles.[6][7]
Credits and personnel[edit]
Technical
- Randy Merrill – mastering engineer
- Serban Ghenea – mixing engineer
- Todd Hurtt – recording engineer
Charts[edit]
| Chart (2023) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[8] | 93 |
| New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ)[9] | 4 |
| US Billboard Hot 100[10] | 68 |
| US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[11] | 23 |
References[edit]
- ^ Bartlett, Taurus. "Polo G - HOOD POET (Album Trailer) | OUT SEPTEMBER 15". YouTube. Retrieved 16 August 2023.
- ^ a b c Partridge, Ken (Aug 18, 2023). "Polo G Finds Strength Amid Tragedy On New Song "Barely Holdin' On"". Genius. Retrieved August 19, 2023.
- ^ Breihan, Tom (August 18, 2023). "Polo G – "Barely Holdin' On"". Stereogum. Retrieved August 19, 2023.
- ^ a b Griffin, Marc (August 18, 2023). "Polo G Shows Empathy To Those "Barely Holdin' On" In New Visuals". Vibe. Retrieved August 19, 2023.
- ^ Alexander, Cole (August 18, 2023). "Polo G Returns With Lead "Hood Poet" Single, "Barely Holdin' On"". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved August 19, 2023.
- ^ Grant, Shawn (August 18, 2023). "Watch: Polo G Delivers New Video For "Barely Holdin' On"". The Source. Retrieved August 19, 2023.
- ^ Duong, Pual (August 18, 2023). "Video: Polo G "Barely Holding On"". Rap Radar. Retrieved August 19, 2023.
- ^ "Polo G Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved August 29, 2023.
- ^ "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. August 28, 2023. Retrieved August 26, 2023.
- ^ "Polo G Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved August 29, 2023.
- ^ "Polo G Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved August 29, 2023.