In 2013, Miguel Oliviera wasn’t known as Holly and wasn’t even making music of his own yet, but was inspired by former Maybach Music Group member Gunplay.
Since then, Holly has made a name for himself worldwide as an EDM turntablist, was named one of the top producers of the year by DJ Mag and Run The Trap, and now, he has a song with Gunplay and OKAY! KENJI called “On Me.”
“Gunplay has been one of my favorite rappers since I first heard “Ghetto Symphony” in 2013.” Holly said in a press release.
“It’s crazy how I used to listen to his music before I even began making music on my own, and now we’re on the same record together. I can’t thank OKAY! KENJI enough for helping bring this track to life as well.”
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Back in July, the 24-year-old Portuguese producer/DJ unleashed his thunderous “Til I Die” single featuring A$AP TyY and Vancouver producer NXSTY, from his forthcoming EP, Alameda 1000.
Much like “Til I Die,” “On Me” fuses the inherent boom-bap bounce synonymous with sounds in today’s 808 tinged Hip Hop production with brain-scrambling EDM style drops and bridges.
Holly communicated with HipHopDX over Email about how the track came together and his approach to producing from both an EDM and Hip Hop perspective.
HipHopDX: Your techniques sound more Hip Hop-based than a typical EDM turntablist. What equipment do you use?
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Holly: Thanks! I use FL to make beats and Ableton for live shows. I do almost everything inside of both DAW’s and actually, don’t use much gear besides a MIDI controller!
HipHopDX: Gunplay always makes for an interesting guest choice. Why him?
Holly: My homie that is also featured on the song, OKAY! KENJI had this unreleased acapella from a Gunplay studio session that he used to work at in Atlanta. When he showed me that, we started working and building out an instrumental around his vocals. I’ve been a huge fan of his music for years so it feels really great to have him on my record.
HipHopDX: Are you aiming for a trap classic with the EP? Explain what makes this particular project unique.
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Holly: I’m just aiming to blend a series of different sounds that I’ve been working with since I started making music, which is exactly what makes this project unique. I’ve been taking electronic influenced music and mixing it with Hip Hop & rap vocals to create a totally different sound from what so many producers are doing right now.
Holly’s Alameda 1000 is currently set for release via Insomniac Records on September 13.
Stream “On Me” above.
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