Punk-Rap Artist Hollow Sinatra Sets Ode to Self-Love on Black Takes

Learning to love yourself is a process. It’s easy to say it, but to really mean it... that shit takes time and effort. At times, we find ourselves filling up others and forget to replenish ourselves. Last November, my grandmother passed away. A week before she had passed, I drove down from NY to VA after work on a Friday night. I only spent 24 hours down there because I had to rush back for a meeting. We laughed, we reminisced, and even spoke about the future. Before I left, she asked “Now, boy, why were you so eager to see me?” and I mumbled “because I felt the need.” But, deep down, I knew things were coming to an end. I needed to get my fill because I knew I would be depended on to replenish my loved ones as they mourned.  

“Sometimes my life feels like a filler.”

As I listened to Black Takes, the first thing I thought was that I’m upset this wasn’t out around the time I needed it. Second, it makes me appreciate myself and the concept of one learning to love themselves. “Yard” feels like a song you would blast as a teenager during your emo phase.  Sinatra’s vocal layering is abrupt and harsh but the message is a positive ode to loving yourself. The distortion Sinatra uses pierces the soul. The pace and texture of “Yard” can be compared to metal/punk rock, like on some Metal Church meets blink-182 type shit. You could also feel a small ounce of Yeezus influences but aye, we’re all at fault for that at some point.

“Off a Bridge” is my highlight track off the tape. I recommend you throw this on at the beginning of a pregame playlist. “The shadows of yesterday's pillars/ Sometimes my life feels like a filler.” The dubstep-ish lilting production makes a perfect blend with Sinatra’s hazy wordplay, making listeners sink into the music. I felt as if I was falling into a dark space while extending my hands out, hoping someone would reach for mine. I believe that’s the feeling Sinatra wanted to portray with this project… Learning to love yourself during moments of emptiness and loneliness.  

I love seeing black musicians going against the grain and experimenting with different genres.  At times, music could feel like a rat race when everyone is chasing the same sound.  It’s refreshing to hear something rare that makes you question the next direction music will take. As we approach the half year mark of 2020, I am interested to see where Hollow Sinatra takes the new age sound of punk-rap.