Hold On (Brand Nubian song)
| "Hold On" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single by Brand Nubian | ||||
| from the album Everything Is Everything | ||||
| B-side | "Step Into Da Cipher" | |||
| Released | 1995 | |||
| Recorded | 1993–1994 | |||
| Genre | Conscious hip hop | |||
| Length | 4:15 | |||
| Label | Elektra | |||
| Songwriters |
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| Producers |
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| Brand Nubian singles chronology | ||||
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| Music video | ||||
| "Hold On" on YouTube | ||||
"Hold On" is a song by American hip hop group Brand Nubian and the second single from their third studio album Everything Is Everything (1994). It features American singer Starr. The song contains samples of "Holding Back the Years" by Simply Red and "Sneakin' in the Back" by Tom Scott and the L.A. Express.
Composition
The song uses the instrumentation and hook from "Holding Back the Years". Lyrically, it revolves around black on black crime and calls for improvement within the Black community. In Sadat X's verse, he depicts a person trying to instigate a fight with him.[1]
Critical reception
Spence D. of IGN commented that the song "masterfully blends Simply Red's 'Holding Back The Years' into a hip-hop smoothie."[2] Steve "Flash" Juon of RapReviews stated that the song "set the bar even HIGHER for the group" and also responded favorably to the sample, praising it for "cleverly borrowing" elements of "Holding Back the Years".[1]
Charts
| Chart (1995) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| US Hot Rap Songs (Billboard)[3] | 39 |
References
- ^ a b Juon, Steve 'Flash' (September 1, 2020). "Brand Nubian :: Everything Is Everything – RapReviews". RapReviews. Retrieved February 24, 2026.
- ^ D., Spence (January 27, 2003). "Brand Nubian - Everything Is Everything". IGN. Archived from the original on June 4, 2011. Retrieved February 24, 2026.
- ^ "Hot Rap Songs: Week of March 4, 1995". Billboard. Retrieved February 24, 2026.