Originally from Cambridgeshire and London in the United Kingdom, SBTRKT (pronounced “subtract”), is organized by Aaron Jerome and is categorized as UK garage, house, post-dubstep, indie pop, electronica music. These labels don’t accurately capture Hold On. It’s more than just a beat, it’s more than just pop, it’s more than just a category of music. It’s its own style. Aaron Jerome has said he isn’t a social person and would rather his music be his identifier. To keep himself anonymous, Aaron wears masks during performances.
SBTRKT often works with Sampha, a singer, songwriter, musician also from the United Kingdom. Collectively, the two have worked along side music industry icons such as Drake, Kanye West, Solange, Radiohead, M.I.A. and more.
Together, the two artists created the song Hold On. A song about a relationship where one person is drifting away and possibly cheating and the other asking them to come back and hold on. Whatever done, however bad, hold on, hold on, hold on.
Originally found through a friend of mine during her yoga class (hey Kathleen!), I started incorporating it into my personal yoga routine at home. It was a great motivation song while doing my workouts, but soon found it to be a great song to walk to. It came up on my walk to the T in Boston while in school. As I walked down the steps to the station, the beat kicked in and matched each step. To add to that, I identified with the lyrics as I was in a long distance relationship, eager to hold on. From then on, it became a go to strut song. I felt powerful, strong, confident, and most importantly, understood.
You can learn more about SBTRKT here:
About The Curator - Lili Gelfand
A born and raised New Yorker, Lili Gelfand grew up watching old movies with her father, a producer, director, and writer for film and television. Growing up, Lili got to experience set life constantly. Her admiration and love for the art deepened as she studied Film Production in Boston at Emerson College.
After graduating, she followed in her father’s footsteps by beginning a freelance career in the entertainment industry. Lili has worked as a writer’s assistant, wardrobe/stylist assistant, script coordinator, and associate producer for Bravo, Comedy Central, and BET.
Lili’s passion is music in film. She plays the piano and the ukulele and constantly listens to movie scores and soundtracks. Other passions include babysitting, decorating her apartment, and playing the Sims.
