Holla Bak returns to the spotlight

After a hiatus Holla Bak has re-emerged on the local entertainment scene. His return was signalled with a listening party for his newest single, Vibe for the Night. The self-produced track, which was mixed and mastered by Shaquille ‘SR Viper’ Welch, is the first release from his new EP. 

With fifteen years in the business under his belt, the performer was noticeably absent from this year’s Crop Over festival. Growing increasingly frustrated with how his career was progressing, the artiste decided to take a step away from the industry. He noted: “I found that I had a lot of limitations within soca because I wanted to be outside the box, but a foot still got to be in the box.”

In his absence he has undergone a metamorphosis. His return has seen him changing his management team. He is now working with New York-based Kirsha Mcintyre of Global Management KM. It was in one of the darkest periods of his life he decided to travel to New York and that is when he had a chance encounter with Mcintyre while he was attending a show. He was impressed with the energy that she gave him, and the business relationship was forged.

His recent exploits have seen him travel to England where he received a warm reception. He stated: “In the UK I felt like I could really express myself. There is just something about the UK that really uplifted me and inspired me as an artiste.” 

His focus now is just to block out the noise and express himself freely. His aim is to be a trendsetter and the music he is creating in the Beyond Project will be representative of that. He has created his own genre, for him it is not about being in key, he is not going by the book, he aspires to adding another chapter to the book. 

Holla Bak is benefitting from manager Mcintyre’s strong marketing and public relations background. She shared: “My goal is to fully create a space where he can truly be himself and show up organically, but just do it in a polished way. Our focus is to allow him to be free. But we are going to do that in a space where the people got to hear his music, it is beyond Barbados, it is beyond the Caribbean. We are expanding and this is what this new project symbolises, this is where we are, we are heading mainstream.”

Together they have been revamping his image and playing close attention to his brand. The listening party provided a glimpse of the vision with the carefully curated event. Hosted in the affluent Royal Westmoreland Hills district, the mood was set on arrival with the prompt presentation of the signature cocktails in cups branded with the song title for the occasion. Patrons feasted on the decadent vegan culinary treats crafted by acclaimed chef Creig Greenidge. 

Styled in an ensemble by Barbadian designer Junior Sealy, the entertainer mingled with the attendees prior to the launch of the new single. Some of them used the opportunity to snap photographs with the singer. 

Later in the night the artiste performed a live rendition of the track and exuberant attendees were singing along with him by the time he finished. This was followed by the debut of the music video which was filmed in the heart of Bridgetown. Sealy was able to show another side of his artistry as the videographer on the project. Even without the use of any special lighting, the creative was still able to achieve an international feel with the visuals. 

The track was officially released to the public on November 11th. (STT)