Last November 6, 2020, highly celebrated artist and songwriter Lanita Smith released her most recent single entitled “Holdin’ On.” Since then, the track has shaken the music industry at its core with a positive message of hope and perseverance that comes at a timely juncture. As the world continues to power through one of the greatest health crises this generation has ever experienced, Lanita’s newest single breathes life into a highly discouraged world.
Lanita is a singer, songwriter, and musician of epic levels. American musician and record producer Don Was picked her as the winner of Center’s Singer-Songwriter 4. She is also an affiliate of the LA Chapter of The Recording Academy and mentee of songwriter Maureen McDonald, also known by her stage name Mozella.
A creative heavyweight with connections in high places, Lanita has worked with award-winning artists and producers like Aaron Neville, Jessica Sanchez, Chance The Rapper, Ty Dolla $ign, Kanye West, and Teddy Riley, William Bell, and Colbie Caillat. Her work is also in shows such as Addams Family, Hustlers, All American, and Greenleaf. Lanita Smith is also the co-founder of the music brand “Little Monarch,” along with Casey Kalmenson. Together, the duo produced and released the hit single “No Matter What,” which has reached over 22.5 million streams on Spotify to date.
Lanita Smith’s latest single, “Holdin’ On,” draws inspiration from the many other great musical creations released during the barrage of unprecedented events that have rocked the nation and the world. As the world continues to face the realities of a worldwide pandemic, the raging Black Lives Matter movement, and many other tragedies, Lanita hopes that her new anthem would “change the narrative” by speaking the truth but still inspire audiences in a way that will challenge them to persist beyond defeat.
“Truth is, we need it,” openly shares Lanita. “The world needs healing to begin and to bring people together instead of dividing us. It would be selfish to say this record is for me when truthfully the words came together for us. This is our song.”
“Holdin’ On” is a song with a mission of uplifting the broken and heavy hearted and challenging us to be a part of the change that we want to see. It speaks about embracing every challenge and aspiring for better days to become greater than who we were yesterday.
The song comes in partnership with the Black Music Action Coalition (BMAC). Together, the artist and her collaborators aim to encourage people, especially those of color, to write their own stories and rise with strength and tenacity.
For Lanita Smith, music has always been a constant. The Memphis, Tennessee-bred artist rose from humble beginnings of country-back church choirs to performing on national television and touring some of the country’s biggest stages. Lanita has performed in events like Coachella, Jackson’s R&B Festival, The Troubadour, Hotel Cafe, and Kanye West’s Sunday Service. Currently, the artist is working on developing her brand and music, releasing hits like “I Love You,” which has over 292,000 streams on Spotify; “It’s You,” with over 160,000 streams; and “Love Can Do,” with over 131,000 streams.
In the future, Lanita Smith hopes to expand her music and grow her platform as an international entertainer and a philanthropist.
To follow Lanita, visit her website, Spotify, Facebook, and Instagram account. “Holdin’ On” can be downloaded through this link.
