Meaning of “Barely Holdin’ On” by Polo G
Polo G fans were beyond excited to hear about the rapper’s 2023 project titled “Hood Poet”. This LP is a follow-up to Polo’s third studio album, “Hall of Fame” (2021). This was an effort that topped the Billboard 200 and firmly established him as a bonafide rap star.
“Barely Holdin’ On”, the lead single to “Hood Poet”, was made public through Columbia Records on 18 August 2023.
The team behind this track consists of the following:
- Dr. Luke
- Southside
- Noah Goldstein
- Shottie
- Smatt Sertified
- Lufye
All of the above names not only produced the song but also get writing credit alongside Polo G. And the music video was directed by an artist known as Arrad.
The Lyrics of “Barely Holdin’ On”
This is one of those tales from the ‘hood type tracks, i.e. a commentary pointing to how dangerous life on the streets is, especially, let’s say, for young Black men. Polo G is from Chicago, a city which, as anyone familiar with the American crime/gang scene would know, is ridiculously crime-ridden.
Or put otherwise, you’re not going to grow up in a place like the ‘hoods of Chicago without having some personal war stories to tell. So in the case of this song for instance, it has been gathered that the first verse serves the purpose of Polo G memorializing one of his homeys who ended up getting murked at the tender age of 16.
That incident reportedly transpired back in 2014. This was almost a decade ago, but as can be gleaned, the emotional wound is still fresh in the vocalist’s mind.
While remembering his dead homey, Polo also alludes to the notion that the two of them committed a murder beforehand. So he has been affected by street life in more ways than one, i.e. not only being a victim but also a perpetrator.
That said, the second verse reads as if the rapper is more generally remorseful. Here, he basically sympathizes with parents who have lost their sons to these ‘soulless, dark times’, where some people “murder just to kill time”.
Thesis Sentiment
As far as the thesis sentiment goes, it is further illustrative of the fact that, tough guy or not if you will, “life gets scary as it goes on”, particularly for residents of places like Chicago. That’s why G asserts that he’s “barely holding on”. When he says this, he is alluding to the notion that the “burdens” and pressures of the streets are ‘trying to tear him’ apart on the inside. But he has come to realize his strength in resisting the urge to give up, being encouraged in that regard by some unidentified addressee.
Of course now being one of the hottest rappers in the game, Polo no longer resides in the ‘hood. But as most alluded to throughout this song, the memories of such experiences still haunt him.
