2hollis transformed his burned Altadena home into a musical phoenix moment

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On September 24th, 2hollis, performing as Hollis Frazier-Herndon, played an acoustic version of his song “Eldest Child” to a packed audience at Shrine Auditorium. As he sang the lines, “Eldest child, eldest child, I know your momma and your daddy so proud. They don’t know me, no. They don’t know me now,” his voice shifted from a rough sound to a smooth, high tone, and he eventually broke down in tears.

The concert felt incredibly emotional and like a turning point for 2hollis. Before the show, he explained that the “momma and daddy” he sings about represent his fans – people he feels grateful to have connected with, even though they’ve never met. Hearing the sold-out crowd sing his lyrics back to him was a powerful release. It was also his first performance in his hometown since a fire destroyed his childhood home earlier this year. The overwhelming support from his community, after he overcame that hardship and achieved musical success, was deeply moving and you could feel it in the room.

Hollis described his recent experiences as a rebirth, comparing it to the phoenix rising from ashes. He explained that while the destruction of his hometown was devastating, it strangely felt necessary for the creation of his new album. He also expressed sadness about seeing the place where he grew up become abandoned.

Just before releasing his fourth album, “star,” in April, 2hollis shared a photo of a fire-damaged tarot card with the same name. He explained that this “star” card was the only item he and his mother could salvage after returning to their Altadena home to check for damage. According to 032c magazine, a large star-shaped statue made of wood and metal, lit with bulbs that shone at night, stood on a hill behind his family’s property – and it too had burned. This experience directly inspired “star,” 2hollis’ most ambitious album yet, blending his signature crystalline hardstyle EDM with elements of intense rage trap and emotive pop punk. The album powerfully emerged from the ashes of the fire.

Hollis enhanced the opening track, “flash,” with recordings of wind chimes from his porch in Altadena, captured during the Santa Ana winds before the fires. Subtle wind and fire sounds appear throughout the album as well. He allowed the weather to shape the overall feel of the music, while also exploring themes of ambition and the pursuit of fame.

He described the work as deeply personal and emotional, with moments of introspection, but also energetic and celebratory. He compared it to a fire – something intense and filled with raw emotion, even sadness – but ultimately vibrant and lively. He acknowledged it was a bit of a chaotic mix, but that’s what made it powerful.

2hollis is a very visual artist, creating his energetic and unique music by imagining scenes and drawing inspiration from what he sees. Producer Finneas recalled 2hollis once describing a sound he wanted as “a crystal with a pretty face,” which is typical of his creative process. For example, when making his song “burn” from the album “star,” 2hollis combined a powerful trap beat similar to RL Grime with a delicate piano melody – inspired by a porcelain Chinese lucky cat he had in his studio. Tragically, “burn” was the last song he finished recording at that house before it was destroyed by a fire.

On the album’s most emotionally raw track, “tell me,” where Hollis sings about feeling lost and overwhelmed with attention – lines like, “Everybody I don’t know tryna know me these days I don’t even know who I am” – he had a very clear vision for the song’s powerful ending. He pictured a dramatic scene with heavy rain and lightning illuminating someone’s face, possibly a heroic moment connected to overcoming challenges. He described it as a kind of face-off, like a battle between himself and his own ego, set on a rainy, war-torn field reminiscent of the final scenes in ‘Squid Game.’

I’ve always been captivated by how 2hollis builds these incredibly imaginative worlds in his music – he really wants you to get lost in them. He was saying recently that a lot of artists feel like they have to be relatable these days, which is fine, but he’s going for something different. He wants to offer a real escape, a chance to just forget yourself for a little while and live in his creation. And honestly, with everything going on in the world, that kind of mindful escapism feels really important right now.

2hollis often performs with a white tiger, which is also the title of his debut album. A large tiger statue appears on stage during his concerts, roaring loudly between songs. While the tiger fits perfectly with the imaginative feel of his music, it also has a special meaning for him personally.

During a phone call after a Detroit show, Hollis shared that he’d struggled with severe psychosis when he was 18. He tried to cope by meditating and praying, specifically calling on archangels. He explained that when he focused on the angel Metatron, he’d visualize a white tiger eliminating negativity and harmful forces around him. “It sounds crazy, but it genuinely helped me recover,” he said.

[Warning: Video contains explicit language.]

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The more you talk to 2hollis, the more you see he truly lives as if “all the world’s a stage,” as Shakespeare wrote. Even during happy childhood moments – playing baseball or acting in school plays – he felt that same nervous excitement as if he were performing. At the same time, he deeply values being alone, and he developed this appreciation growing up in Altadena.

Hollis remembers his childhood home as a pristine and peaceful place. He used to walk his dog, meditate, and enjoy views of Los Angeles from there. Even though the area has changed, he still visits often from Detroit, drawn by a sense of comfort and the feeling that the special atmosphere remains. He says it’s a place where he can simply be alone with his thoughts.

Hollis often thinks back to his younger self and the dreams he had for the life he’s now living. He says he’d tell that hopeful, but hesitant, kid that he was right to believe, and that everything is finally falling into place. In his song “tell me” 2hollis admits he’s been equally frightened of public attention, death, and being judged. However, having overcome a lot of challenges, he now confidently declares he’s embracing everything life throws at him, without fear.

2hollis performs at Shrine Auditorium on Monday.

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2025-10-24 20:32