Jump to content

Barely Holdin' On

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
"Barely Holdin' On"
Single by Polo G
from the album Hood Poet
ReleasedAugust 18, 2023
Length2:54
LabelColumbia
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
Polo G singles chronology
"Heartbroken"
(2023)
"Barely Holdin' On"
(2023)

"Barely Holdin' On" is a song by American rapper Polo G. It was released on August 18, 2023, as a single from his 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 performance for "Barely Holdin' On"
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]
  1. ^ Bartlett, Taurus. "Polo G - HOOD POET (Album Trailer) | OUT SEPTEMBER 15". YouTube. Retrieved 16 August 2023.
  2. ^ 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.
  3. ^ Breihan, Tom (August 18, 2023). "Polo G – "Barely Holdin' On"". Stereogum. Retrieved August 19, 2023.
  4. ^ a b Griffin, Marc (August 18, 2023). "Polo G Shows Empathy To Those "Barely Holdin' On" In New Visuals". Vibe. Retrieved August 19, 2023.
  5. ^ Alexander, Cole (August 18, 2023). "Polo G Returns With Lead "Hood Poet" Single, "Barely Holdin' On"". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved August 19, 2023.
  6. ^ Grant, Shawn (August 18, 2023). "Watch: Polo G Delivers New Video For "Barely Holdin' On"". The Source. Retrieved August 19, 2023.
  7. ^ Duong, Pual (August 18, 2023). "Video: Polo G "Barely Holding On"". Rap Radar. Retrieved August 19, 2023.
  8. ^ "Polo G Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved August 29, 2023.
  9. ^ "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. August 28, 2023. Retrieved August 26, 2023.
  10. ^ "Polo G Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved August 29, 2023.
  11. ^ "Polo G Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved August 29, 2023.