PoppyH: For The Win

Muzikscribe
7 days ago
4 min read

Back in May, and just ahead of the, then, highly anticipated unveiling of his long-awaited fourteenth studio collection, Tha Carter VI, Grammy Award winning Hip Hop icon Lil Wayne announced a brand ‘New Era’ of Young Money Entertainment via his Apple Music radio show of the same name. An exciting roster brimming with talent; including long-time members Cory Gunz and Twist, along with newcomers Jay Jones, Allan Cubas, Domiio, Euro, Lucifena, and NOLA rapper PoppyH, who Tunechi even considers almost like his own “motherf–kin’ son.”

Tell me your whole inception into music — When did you first become interested in it? And, how did it all begin for Nathaniel Holden, Jr.?

My introduction into creating music was 5th grade year when my dad made me play the trumpet; at the time, I didn’t like playing the horn and let it go after just a year, but it was a cool experience.

Now you’re from New Orleans, LA, correct? However you grew up in Boston, MA, right? So coming up, who all did / do you consider to be your strongest musical influences?

Yes, I’m from New Orleans, NO; I definitely never have even been to Boston, so that’s a mix up…I did however grow up 30 minutes outside of New Orleans in SLIDELL, LA.

That said, how do you describe and / or define the style of music that you create and / or perform?

Bouncy is one of my favorite words to use to describe my sound; fun dance music, too. Even cultural.

Where does your moniker, PoppyH, a.k.a. VuduBaby, originally derive from?

My mom and dad gave me the nickname Poppy from birth; my last name is Holden…I wanted my artist name to only be Poppy but there are more artists named Poppy, so I just used my initial to separate myself, lol!

What particular string of events actually led to your initial linking up with Lil Wayne and later signing to / with his (New Generation of) Young Money imprint?

Wayne has known me my whole life; I was the ring boy in his only wedding at like 4 years old.

Switching gears here, what exactly do you want people to get from your music?

Just to give it an honest chance, because I put my music before fans and money; sonically, I want you to enjoy the experience of PoppyH.

If you could collaborate with any one artist, living or dead, who would it be and why?

Any artist dead or alive, I would make a list…

- Bob Marley

- Chief Keef

- E-40

- Beyoncé

- Rick James

If you could play any venue in the world, which one would you choose and why?

(Caesars) Superdome…ain’t no place like home!

On a more serious note, are you happy with the current state of Hip Hop?

I’ll speak for my area; in New Orleans, Hip Hop is being overlooked because of all of the other music culture we have. So, no, Hip Hop acts in New Orleans need to be paid more, and have more opportunities.

What do you feel has and will continue to be the key to your longevity?

Love of art, and marketing.

Do you have any other outside / additional (future) aspirations, maybe even completely away from music?

I have a bunch of ventures that I keep quiet about.

To date, what has been your biggest career moment(s), at least thus far anyway?

Being featured on 2K25. Being featured on ESPN. Being embraced by idol Lil Wayne, and touring with him and learning from him.

What’s an average day like for you?

My day to day is different from your average rapper; me and my fiancé live together and work together everyday, so we wake up with a to do list and a plan, lol!

Please discuss how you interact with and respond to fans...

Love hearing someone refer to themselves as a fan or supporter; I’m still a growing artist, so I treat my supporters like friends from high school.

What is your favorite part about this line of work? Your least favorite? And, why?

Freedom of expression, but I hate the lack of structure.

What advice would you have for someone wanting to follow in your footsteps?

Don’t, lol! Everyone’s path is different.