Drowning in the open: A final letter…

Dxtr spits & Nikki Giovanni’s spoken word album

100 men die by suicide a day in the U.S. alone and that is 100 too many.

Jan. 23rd. 2026, The late great Nikki Giovanni and I are releasing a album to shift how we address men’s mental health. Drowning in the Open, A Final letter to our Brothers. It was her last recorded work, and a topic we spoke about often. To be honest the process of releasing this has been painful, complex, but meaningful and worth it.

Jordan “Dxtr Spits” Holmes photoshoot by Mike Rivera symbolizing the feeling of Drowning in mental health troubles.

The year before she passed away (12.9.2024) we recorded and crafted these pieces along with my producer Caleb Miller Harris with the goal of making something men could listen to and feel understood, supported, and challenged. Our mental health can be complicated and misunderstood.

Jordan “Dxtr Spits” Holmes photoshoot by Mike Rivera symbolizing the feeling of Drowning in need of a life raft

We don’t need any more gender wars, problem focused complaining, or blanket statements. We need understanding, creative ways to give people the language to talk about what's going on inside, and nuanced solutions. This album we hope is a life raft and tool box for men out there feeling alone, like no one cares, or not knowing where to go with the burdens we carry.

Let’s swim together as a community before it’s too late. #DrowningInTheOpen #NikkiGiovanni #DxtrSpits #SpokenWord #MensMentalHealth