Hollywood Holt

Influenced by punk rock just as much as '80s electro, Chicago rapper Nigel Holt, better known as Hollywood Holt, absorbed both the cultures of living in the Windy City's notorious South Side as well as the city's well-off, northern suburbs. Writing rhymes since the age of 14, Holt's passions for music and riding mopeds converged when he recorded "Throw a Kit," which was one of the many renditions modeled after <a href="spotify:artist:6mXlDbi03T8wXYwWYew0Ut">Rich Boy</a>'s 2006 hit single, "Throw Some D's." Released in early 2008, the moped-glorifying banger enjoyed lots of play in Chicago nightclubs and on the Internet, gaining several views on YouTube and being featured on several blogs. Part of a trend from local artists inspired by Chicago juke music, a fast-paced blend of party rap, house, and bass music, his own original songs of minimalist electro-rap, produced by his cousin Million Dollar Mano, earned him praise as well. Another online video, "Hollywood," done for Cartoon Network's Adult Swim lineup, leaked to the dismay of the network in mid-2008, and then leaked again later through the blog of fellow Chicagoan <a href="spotify:artist:5K4W6rqBFWDnAN6FQUkS6x">Kanye West</a>. The song also appeared on the free digital LP, "Worldwide Renewal Program" (2008), released by Chocolate Industries in conjunction with Adult Swim. ~ Cyril Cordor, Rovi