Holland Izz Speaks On Independence, “Beat The System” & Never Giving Up

For independent artists, the journey is rarely as glamorous as it looks from the outside. Behind every release, performance, viral moment, and career milestone are countless hours of uncertainty, sacrifice, and figuring things out without a blueprint. In this exclusive interview, Holland Izz opens up about the realities of building a career independently, from dealing with loneliness and doubt to learning how to create, produce, market, and run the business behind the music.

The artist reflects on the unexpected momentum behind “Geek’d Up,” earning the 2022 REVOLT Fan Favorite Award, working with DJ Jalil Miles on “Oysters,” memorable SXSW experiences, and the creative vision behind the powerful “Beat The System” video. More importantly, they get candid about the part of the journey that doesn’t always make the headlines—the importance of continuing to create even when nobody is watching. With another tour on the horizon and new music already in the works,Holland Izz isn’t simply chasing the next opportunity. They’re building toward something bigger while making one thing clear: after everything they’ve overcome, they’re still here, still creating, and they’re not giving up.

You’ve built this whole thing independently. What’s been harder than people on the outside would guess? 

– The hardest parts of building my career independently have been the loneliness, the doubts, and feeling like no one cares. This journey requires you to be extremely selective about who you bring along because not everyone is meant to experience what this path brings. People can become distractions, and the mind of a creative person can be a dangerous place if you’re not careful. You have to be so dedicated to your craft that it becomes the only thing in your peripheral vision. The reality is that not everyone will become a household name, sign a major label deal, or tour arenas, and you have to make peace with that. Most importantly, you have to be okay with not being seen. Not every post will go viral, not every music video will get millions of views, and not everyone will share your music. There’s no telling how long that may last, and that’s what truly reveals how much an artist genuinely loves what they do. 

2. For someone who’s never pressed play on you, how do you set them up for what they’re about to hear? 

– For someone who’s never pressed play on my music, I’d tell them to release all expectations. Step into a state of mind filled with high energy, funky vibrations, and toe-tapping fun. Be prepared to laugh, dance, and party like it’s the 1980s! 

3. “Geek’d Up” took off. Did you feel it becoming a moment while it was happening, or only looking back? 

– Honestly, I didn’t expect GEEK’D Up to take off the way it did. Having a predominantly West Coast audience, I knew we were taking a gamble by releasing a Southern-influenced record as a single. With that being said, I’m glad we did because it definitely felt like a moment during its release. The aesthetic of the promotional content still felt very West Coast, especially with the lowrider featured throughout the campaign. It caught people completely off guard when they actually heard how the song sounded. One of the promotional videos even surpassed 100,000 views on Instagram.

4. How’d you and DJ Jalil Miles link up for “Oysters?” 

– I’ve known Jalil Miles since 2020. During the pandemic, he helped keep the spirit of Los Angeles nightlife alive by throwing events, and I’ve been supporting him ever since. Watching him transfer his energy to an entire crowd just by spinning records is incredible. He reminds me a lot of myself because of how outgoing and approachable he is. During the final stages of the project, he immediately came to mind when I started thinking about DJs who could host it. He’s always booked and busy, traveling the world, but I caught him in between trips for a few days. I told him about the project, sent it over, and the rest is history. 

5. You’ve attended SXSW more than once. What’s a moment from those that stuck with you? 

– Having attended SXSW two years in a row, one moment that has always stuck with me was shooting the music video for “P&B” with Inland Empire’s Trizz and Los Angeles super producer Cypress Moreno. That night was legendary because the video captured exactly how everything unfolded—a night full of partying and bullsh*tting that eventually ended with Trizz getting arrested. My first SXSW experience is something I’ll never forget. Being surrounded by my best friends while performing at one of the greatest music festivals in the world is a memory I’ll always cherish. 

6. That 2022 Revolt Fan Favorite win — did it actually change anything for you, or was it more of a marker? 

– Winning the 2022 REVOLT Fan Favorite Award meant the world to me. It was my first time competing on a televised show, and getting invited back the following year to receive the award completely caught me by surprise. There were so many talented and recognizable artists performing that night, so to be recognized as the Fan Favorite was nothing short of a blessing. Knowing that my family and supporters could turn on their TVs and watch me perform on a nationwide network introduced me to an entirely new audience, and that exposure still benefits me today.

7. You’re making the music, producing it, and running the business side. Does one feed the others, or is it a constant tug-of-war? 

– Wearing so many hats in the music industry definitely feels like a constant tug-of-war. I’d much rather become a master at one thing than simply be good at several, but as an independent artist today, it unfortunately doesn’t work like that. You have to be well-rounded just for people to recognize your potential. There are thousands of talented artists, rappers, and songwriters, so you have to figure out how to make yourself stand out. Sometimes that means learning skills outside of being an artist so you can apply them to your own career. Being independent is expensive, so every relationship matters. Building genuine connections and exchanging value with others can help reduce costs while opening doors that money alone can’t. 

8. What’s next, and what’s something you’ve never gotten to say in an interview? 

– Next month, I’ll be hitting the road again with MC BXB and Lil Maru for the ten-date Far From Home Tour. Toward the end of the year, I’ll also be teasing a couple of new singles to explore the direction I want to take for next year. Something I’ve never said in an interview before is that I’m proud of myself. I’m constantly focused on what’s next, so I rarely stop to acknowledge that I’ve never given up. I’ve pushed through the doubters, the setbacks, and every obstacle that’s come my way. Another thing I’ve never said publicly is this: I need your support. If you genuinely enjoy what I do, I need connections to major-label distribution, public relations, and radio. I don’t have everything figured out, but I have the determination to become one of the biggest artists in the world. 

9. “Beat The System” comes with a clear point of view. What was your motivation in writing this memorable song? 

– The motivation behind “Beat The System” was rising above every obstacle that’s been placed in front of not only myself, but anyone who comes from a place of hardship. I wanted to create an anthem that people could chant because it actually means something. To me, “the system” represents oppression. As people of color, we’re still faced with injustices involving policing, the judicial system, and even violence within our own communities. I wanted to create something that could wake people up while still having a groove people could enjoy without feeling like they were being preached to. 

10.We fully embrace the way the ‘Beat The System” music video was shot. Whose idea was the concept, and who was involved? 

– The concept came from producer Tayo Fetti and me. We spend a lot of time hanging out at the beach because it’s one of the few places where we can truly disconnect and clear our minds. The vision was simple: have fun, be ourselves, look fly, and represent overcoming every obstacle that’s been placed in front of us. The Maybach definitely grabbed people’s attention, but it wasn’t about showing off. We wanted it to symbolize luxury because I believe everyone deserves to experience a little luxury in their life. I reached out to OFFAIR to direct the video because I knew his clean, cinematic style would complement the vision perfectly. He brought incredible energy and creative ideas to the set that ultimately helped bring the video to life.