“Style” - 2hollis: Return of Skinny “Jean”s and Fashion Fiends

Credit: hiii @liams2c

What genre is 2hollis?

“Experimental hip-hop electropop rage cloud rap EDM electroclash.” - Google

What’s 2hollis’s name?

“Hollis Parker Frazier-Herndon” - Google

Who is he and why is there yogurt on my jeans?

Honestly, I have no idea, but we’re going to uncover this enigma together. 

I violently became aware of 2hollis and his presence in the music world after joining an increasingly dysfunctional friend group. One of my friends was obsessed with him–practically heading his fan club, but I was still confused. What was there to like? Upon my first listen to his eclectic, noise-adjacent music, I was left more perplexed than before. Instinctively, I searched him up and the first thing I noticed was his jeans: cuffed, clingy, and such a 2016 call back. But, I also saw a dichotomy between his look and say… Silentó’s. 

2hollis–Credit: Photo via Pinterest

2hollis is a reimagining and an ode. In his appearance I see minimalism, nostalgia, and authenticity. And through his music, I see the return of alternative fashion and the rise of cyber-sigilistic, futuristic concert attire and everyday apparel.

Fashion is the direct result of music and 2hollis is a pioneer in both categories. Some might say his simplistic outfits at concerts (just jeans–yes, like the song) are boring or dull, but to the rest of us, they’re iconic. They’re plain canvases that allow his audience to fill in the blanks–he becomes a reflection of his most loyal supporters. 2hollis,WhiteTiger, Frazier–whatever name he takes–knows what it means to be memorable. His constant disheveled appearance, long hair, and smudged eyeliner tests the bounds of beauty standards and gender norms. His stage presence is a statement, he emanates aura and self confidence–attributes that his fanbase doesn’t fail to reciprocate. 

Some show up in full ensembles: cyber-sigilistic, cyber punk, neo-tribal garb.

Credit: Image via Pinterest

And the rest in a drenched white tee and jeans, appreciating the moshpit and high equivalent to a hit.

Credit: Image via pinterest

With the rise of moshpit culture, Hollis is currently leading the wave. His concerts are high energy, high risk, and high value. A friend of mine that attended the concert described the air to be “buzzing.” His concert was a night filled with the acrid, salty, gleam of sweat and the sweet, ebullient, thrill of his neo-revels. 

White Tiger, one of his stage names and albums, epitomizes his eccentric anima and fierce dedication to his craft. In an episode of psychosis, he recalled seeing a White Tiger at every bend–later describing the tiger as light at the end of the tunnel or an idol in a post-apocalyptic world. His world building, on and off stage, challenges the claim that rising singer-songwriters lack artistry. Though opium-inspired and influenced by big names like Ken Carson and Drain Gang, he continues to evolve the hyperpop-edm genre. 

Credit: from the pit @8way3 

I can’t lie, many (including myself) doubted his talent. I am one to judge a book by its cover, or an artist by first listen, but his sound came to grow on me. Some say his discography is a crime; others say it’s heaven sent–a breath of fresh air. I say it’s comforting. In an era where thoughts are not our own and ideas are generated, it’s refreshing to see such a polarizing music genre stand at the forefront of pop culture. 

Some might argue his heavy use of autotune symbolizes the death of raw talent, but I think it takes a different type of talent to perfectly curate and organize such non-traditional sounds into coherence. It takes a different type of strength to embrace androgyny on a stage where hundreds of thousands of people are seemingly entitled to their own opinions and judgements of you. 

I see many reduce his character to be some nonchalant, blonde, soulless husk, but I see his feigned apathy to be an assertion–it is easier to feel than to be. He chooses to unapologetically just… be.

An emblem of the rising intersectionality of music culture, there’s an unyielding determination to label him as a one hit wonder–the byproduct of a stupid tiktok trend, but honestly there’s so much more. You could say 2 times more…like 2hollis… nevermind I digress. 

All I ask is that his fans ignore the “performative” allegations and embrace those punk electronic, experimental outfits that prioritize quality and self-expression. Just because he’s “underground” doesn’t mean his brand is exclusive. Embrace that “Style” - 2hollis and listen to the song, thanks!

Credit: @8way3