Tommy Lee Sparta ‘Holding On’ In New Video, Ahead Of February 3 Court Date 

Tommy Lee Sparta’s latest music video, Holding On, is a reassuring bid ahead of his February 3 court date. The embattled Dancehall deejay whose real name is Leroy Russell remains in police remand on gun charges following his December 14 arrest. Sparta has maintained his innocence throughout all his knotty legal woes over the last six years, and has used the new track and visuals to lash out with lucid verses. 

Though Sparta is widely known for his grimey ballistic bangers, he’s seen incredible success with his deep, reflective material in recent times. Ghetto Cry and Blessings are among his most popular hits with the latter racking up over 41 million streams across all platforms in 2020. Holding On follows that same vein, and is quickly climbing YouTube trending with its upful, sincere narrative.

The storyline follows a youngster whose girlfriend turns out to be a snitch and sets him up. He almost loses his life in an ensuing robbery but outwits his attackers and ultimately gets his revenge on the rats. Recruiting his past collaborators Pixledge Studios  (Rich Badness, Tattoo) for the cinematic clip, Sparta seems to send subliminals to the many forces currently against him through the lyrics and visual treatment.

Sparta spits on the track, “Every ting mi build dem try fi destroy/ Dey mash up every ting mi love and enjoy/ Di weirdest ting a end was neva my choice/ I wonder if yuh hear di pain in my voice.” Last year, Sparta claimed he was being unfairly targeted by members of the JCF and Donna-Hue Anglin, the mother of two of the deejay’s sons said his incarceration had taken a psychological toll on both her children.

Another brush with the law has left the Flanker native in dire straits yet again, but his clear message to Sparta supporters is that he’s “holding on, trynna mek it tru di storm.” YouTube responses have been overwhelmingly positive, with very few dislikes and 100K views in just one day. One shrewd fan asked, “How does tommy lee manage to make dancehall music emotional??”, while another quipped, “HOLD ON MI DJ Freedom is a must”.

Tommy Lee Sparta returns to the Gun Court division of the Home Circuit Court on February 3. He is being represented by attorney at law Donahue Martin as well as Queen’s Counsel Tom Tavares-Finson, and will answer to illegal gun and ammunition possession charges.

On December 14 Tommy Lee Sparta was travelling in a Toyota Mark X on Holborn Road in Kingston when he was intercepted by members of the JCF’s Specialised Operations unit. A subsequent search revealed a 9mm pistol in Sparta’s waistband, along with an extended magazine and 18 rounds of ammunition. The dancehall deejay could face up to 5 years in prison on the charges in question.

Watch the video for Holding On above.