Hold You Down by Tracy Brown

Visceral, Searing Coming of Age Story

The 80s was an era of tremendous growth, not only for technology but also for the illicit drug trade. Paralyzing cities across the US, the crack epidemic stole many dreams and killed hopes. It is hard to imagine some refer to the 80s as the Moderation Decade.

Beginning in the 1980s, Hold You Down features two mothers, their sons, and a host of friends. Growing up on Staten Island, Lennox and Mercy's lives changed after Mama Lula's passing. Things took another turn as each sought to care for their sons: Deon (Lennox) and Judah (Mercy). Desiring to give the boys a comfortable home in the Mariners Harbor projects, each chooses a different path to do so. The trajectory of the lives surrounding them changed with the decision of one sister.

Wrought with sadness and riddle with trauma to the black soul and body, the story mirrors the lives of many black and brown people who live in the concrete jungle. The title speaks to an underlying theme in the book – holding down the ones you love. While the title is accurate, I would have titled the book My Brother’s Keeper simply due to the tremendous character arc. Brown developed Deon and Judah with surgical precision, and their growth throughout the story is phenomenal. 

The plot was evocative and bold, blistering with raw male angst and thug pride. Even paced with the appropriate amount of tension, Brown has outdone her previous work, Single Black Female. 

Highly recommended for fans of urban fiction and readers of KiKi Swinson, A’Zayler, and Ashley & JaQuavis.

Available November 1, 2022 - Hold You Down (Amazon affiliate link)

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