Truth Teller Productions Artist East O releases the Kush EP to honor his hometown East Oakland

East Oakland California native East-O aka Chris Herbie Holland is an Obie winning actor, music producer, songwriter and creative. A Broadway actor having starred in the 5 time Tony nominee and 2023 Pulitzer Prize winning play Fat Ham in New York City. East-O teamed up with Robyn Hood/Miriam A. Hyman (The Chi, Force), a few years back while on their grad school journey as actors and they’ve been making magic as lyrical Truth Tellers ever since.

East-O is known for his melodic beats and smart but edgy bars. His first highly anticipated EP The Kush project releases on April 20th 2025 and is an ode to his hometown East Oakland.

The project is written, produced and arranged entirely by East-O making him a triple threat on his debut EP. He has one feature on the project, "Lorraine" featuring Robyn Hood. East-O is the lead producer for Truth Teller Productions and has been a featured producer and lyricist on multiple songs for and with Hood including her most recent single: Rick Owens that’s been chopped not slopped by DJ Candlestick of The Chopstars.

He was heavily featured on Hyman/Hood’s latest album F.O.E. (Family Over Everything), with guest artists such as Josh K, JET THE 3RD, VAADI aka Genesis D. Hale, and Clay James.

Along with Hood, they’ve secured music placements on major shows like Showtime’s The Chi and in films such as The Lost Holliday featuring Vivica Fox, Jussie Smollett and Hyman. East-O has a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Dartmouth College and an Masters of Fine Arts from NYU.

We catch up with East O to find out more about the origins of the Kush EP

Boss XL Mag - Tell us about the Kush EP and it's motivation

East O - The Kush EP has been a long time coming. I'm from Oakland but the music that influenced me growing up is the "Chronic" from Dr Dre and other West Coast sound. Robyn Hood/Miriam A. Hyman put me in a position to produce. With the Kush EP, I wanted to pay homage to my hometown East Oakland. It's short, sweet, to the point and an ode to my hometown.

Boss XL Mag - How did you get involved with Miriam A. Hyman and Truth Teller Productions?

East O - We met years ago at Yale School of Drama when she was my tour guide. When I was working as a barista in NY, Miriam would text me 8 bars and we would go back and forth with bars and lyrics. When she started performing as Robyn Hood, I was her hype man, then I produced several beats for her albums and now she is returning the favor by having me release my EP through her platform.

Boss XL Mag - What are your plans for 2025 and beyond?

East O - Pushing this EP as hard as I can. This was seven years in the making. Continuing to follow my musical dreams, and to work on booking a big screenplay or movie.