Hip Hop artist Jevin Lamar’s cousin Tee Jay McNichols was killed in the Dayton, OH mass shooting on Aug. 4 of this year. As a tribute to Tee Jay and those that tragically died alongside him, Jevin has created an extraordinary track, “Still Holding On”. The heartfelt lyrics take on the economic devastation of Dayton that served as a background to the shooting. They’re also about race, about family, and about hope.
The video was shot in the broken and hurting Dayton neighborhoods that Jevin grew up in, and features Jevin and Tee Jay’s family.
In memory of Tee Jay and all those who’ve lost their lives due to gun violence in Dayton, Lamar is asking that donations are made to Daybreak Dayton, a shelter for homeless teenagers, where Jevin Lamar himself sought refuge at the age of 14. That Dayton life is the inspiration for the title track of his new 6-track E.P., Street Orphan (Badpenny Records, LA.)
Jevin says about Dayton Daybreak, “They gave me food and shelter—and they cared. They really cared."
The video, directed by David Ambrose, premiered on The Young Turks’ Damage Report on Nov. 1.
The song is part of a 6-song E.P entitled Street Orphan (Badpenny Records, LA), based on Jevin’s life in Dayton.
“Keep Holding On,” Lyrics, Jevin Lamar. Produced by GKF Beats (YouTube and SoundCloud).
Engineered and mastered by TrueChord, recorded at TrueChord Sound Systems in Downtown Los Angeles.
Today, Jevin Lamar has relocated to Hollywood as an associate producer working on films of investigative reporter Greg Palast.
For more on Jevin and his music visit: JevinLamar.com
You can also follow Jevin on Twitter and Instagram.
