Polo G was originally known for his Chicago drill sound, but eventually transitioned to a more melodic style. He has been noted for his "vivid and explicit storytelling"; his lyrics often involve tough subjects, including racism and mental health. He also regularly pays homage to his hometown, and, as noted by Ayana Rashed of Respect, "he is also quick to acknowledge the common injustice and frequent police brutality he and so many others face on the daily". He has stated that American rapper Lil Wayne and hip-hop icon Tupac Shakur are his biggest influences. He also grew up listening to Gucci Mane, as well as Chicago rappers Lil Durk, G Herbo and Chief Keef.
Bartlett was born in the Old Town area of Chicago. He was raised by both of his parents and grew up with three siblings in a small project development known as Marshall Field Garden Apartments. Before his rise to fame, Bartlett spent multiple stints in prison. Bartlett's first song ever recorded was titled "ODA". Upon creating a SoundCloud account in 2018, he released the track "Gang With Me", which quickly racked up millions of plays. He continued gaining traction with his songs "Welcome Back" and "Neva Cared". Bartlett went on to release "Finer Things", a song he wrote while incarcerated, in the latter half of 2018 and quickly gained millions of views. In early 2019, Bartlett released "Pop Out" featuring Lil Tjay which peaked at number 11 on the Billboard Hot 100. The song's music video gained over 200 million views on YouTube and led to him signing a record deal with Columbia Records. Bartlett also released videos for his songs "Deep Wounds", "Through Da Storm", "Effortless", and "Dyin' Breed" from his critically acclaimed debut studio album Die a Legend, which was released on June 7, 2019, and peaked at number 6 on the Billboard 200. "Heartless", a single released later in 2019, featured production from Mustard, and was later featured on his second album.
On February 14, 2020, Polo G released the track "Go Stupid", with rappers Stunna 4 Vegas and NLE Choppa. The song also featured production from Mike Will Made-It and Tay Keith. "Go Stupid" became his second song on the Hot 100 (after "Pop Out"), peaking at number 60 on the Hot 100, number 29 on Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, and number 20 on Hot Rap Songs. Polo G released his second studio album, The Goat, on May 15, 2020. The album debuted at number two on the Billboard 200 and ten songs from the album hit the Hot 100, including "Flex" featuring Juice Wrld and "Be Something" featuring Lil Baby, peaking at numbers 30 and 57, respectively.
In July 2020, Polo G was featured on Juice Wrld's posthumous album Legends Never Die on the song "Hate the Other Side". The song peaked at number 10 on the Billboard Hot 100, Polo G's first top-ten single and highest charting overall song. On August 11, 2020, Polo G was included in XXL's 2020 Freshman Class. Later that month, he released the music video for his single "Martin & Gina", which peaked at number 61 on the Billboard Hot 100.
RAPSTAR
Polo G Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Uh (Tuned up)
Copped a BMW, new deposit, I picked up another bag
Like, "Fuck it, I'ma count while I'm in it"
I hear planes flyin', crowds screamin', money counters, chains clangin'
Shit, I guess that's how it sound when you winnin'
I ain't jokin', do it sound like I'm kiddin'?
I've been makin' like two thousand a minute
So high up through the clouds, I was swimmin'
I'm probably gon' drown when I'm in it
I bet she gon' get loud when I'm in it
And we might have a child when I'm finished
Uh, I won't love a ho, after we fuck she can't get near me
Only bitch I give a conversation to is Siri
My pants Amiri, yes, I'm winnin', clearly
I'm the chosen one, seen my potential so they fear me
Lately, I've been prayin', God, I wonder, can you hear me?
Thinkin' 'bout the old me, I swear I miss you dearly
Stay down 'til you come up, I've been stickin' to that theory
Every day a battle, I'm exhausted and I'm weary
Make sure I smile in public, when alone, my eyes teary
I fought through it all, but that shit hurt me severely
I've been gettin' high to hide behind my insecurities
Takin' different pills but I know it ain't gon'
Uh, copped a BMW, new deposit, I picked up another bag
Like, "Fuck it, I'ma count while I'm in it"
I hear planes flyin', crowds screamin', money counters, chains clangin'
Shit, I guess that's how it sound when you winnin'
I ain't jokin', do it sound like I'm kiddin'?
I've been makin' like two thousand a minute
So high up through the clouds, I was swimmin'
I'm probably gon' drown when I'm in it
I bet she gon' get loud when I'm in it (uh, uh)
And we might have a child when I'm finished
They say I'm Pac rebirth, never put out a weak verse
Homicides when we lurk, I'ma step 'til my feet hurt
Been puttin' them streets first
White tees turned burgundy T-shirts
Lookin' for somethin' real, he stuck in a deep search
Anxiety killin' me, I just wanna leave Earth
When they ask if I'm okay, it just make everything seem worse
Tryna explain your feelings sound like something you rehearsed
Stabbed me in my back with a clean smirk
Lookin' so deep into your eyes, I can read your thoughts, so
Shut the fuck, I mean, please don't talk
I done been through too much and I don't need another loss
Put that on every war scar, for every battle I fought
Uh, copped a BMW, new deposit, I picked up another bag
Like, "Fuck it, I'ma count while I'm in it"
I hear planes flyin', crowds screamin', money counters, chains clangin'
Shit, I guess that's how it sound when you winnin'
I ain't jokin', do it sound like I'm kiddin'?
I've been makin' like two thousand a minute
So high up through the clouds, I was swimmin'
I'm probably gon' drown when I'm in it
I bet she gon' get loud when I'm in it
And we might have a child when I'm finished
When I'm finished
When I'm finished
In Polo G's song "RAPSTAR," we see him reflecting on his success and fame, rapping about his material possessions and the lifestyle that comes with it. Polo G begins by celebrating his latest acquisition, a BMW, and counting his money while he's "in it." He hears the sounds of success around him, from the planes flying overhead to the crowds screaming, and the clanging of money counters and chains. He comments on the way it feels to win, and how high he's risen in his career. He insists that he's not joking, he really is making a lot of money, and that he's at such a high level that he's swimming through the clouds. However, the song takes a more introspective turn when Polo G raps about his anxieties and the personal struggles that come along with his success. He talks about feeling like he's rehearsing his emotions when trying to express them, and feeling like he's been stabbed in the back. He speaks to people who want to talk to him and tells them to be quiet, because he's been through so much and can't handle any more.
The song is both a celebration of Polo G's success and an acknowledgment of the difficult experiences that come along with it. It's a reminder that even those who "make it" can struggle with personal issues and difficult emotions.
Line by Line Meaning
(Shout out my nigga Synco)
Polo G gives a shout out to Synco, likely a friend or collaborator.
Copped a BMW, new deposit, I picked up another bag
Polo G has purchased a BMW and made a new investment. He has also acquired another bag of money.
Like, "Fuck it, I'ma count while I'm in it"
Despite being busy, Polo G is going to take the time to count his money while he has it.
I hear planes flyin', crowds screamin', money counters, chains clangin'
Polo G is in the midst of a successful music career and hears the sounds of success including planes, crowds, money counters, and chains.
Shit, I guess that's how it sound when you winnin'
The sounds Polo G is hearing are a sign of winning and success.
I ain't jokin', do it sound like I'm kiddin'?
Polo G is serious and not joking about his success.
I've been makin' like two thousand a minute
Polo G is making a significant amount of money every minute.
So high up through the clouds, I was swimmin'
Polo G feels like he is so high up in his success that he is swimming in the clouds.
I'm probably gon' drown when I'm in it
Despite his success, Polo G feels like he might drown in it and be overwhelmed.
I bet she gon' get loud when I'm in it
Polo G predicts that his female partner will be loud and excited when they are together.
And we might have a child when I'm finished
Polo G and his partner may have a child together in the future.
I won't love a ho, after we fuck she can't get near me
Polo G does not develop feelings for women he sleeps with and does not want them near him afterwards.
Only bitch I give a conversation to is Siri
Polo G only talks to Siri, a virtual assistant on his phone, and not women he sleeps with.
My pants Amiri, yes, I'm winnin', clearly
Polo G is wearing designer clothes and sees it as a sign of his success.
I'm the chosen one, seen my potential so they fear me
Polo G sees himself as being chosen for success and people recognize his potential and are intimidated by it.
Lately, I've been prayin', God, I wonder, can you hear me?
Polo G has been praying and wonders if God is listening to him.
Thinkin' 'bout the old me, I swear I miss you dearly
Polo G misses his old self and past experiences.
Stay down 'til you come up, I've been stickin' to that theory
Polo G believes in staying grounded until achieving success and has been following that philosophy.
Every day a battle, I'm exhausted and I'm weary
Polo G faces daily struggles and is tired and weary because of it.
Make sure I smile in public, when alone, my eyes teary
Polo G puts on a happy face in public but is often sad when alone.
I fought through it all, but that shit hurt me severely
Polo G has overcome many obstacles but they have come at a great cost to him emotionally.
I've been gettin' high to hide behind my insecurities
Polo G has been using drugs to cope with his insecurities and emotions.
Takin' different pills but I know it ain't gon'
Polo G is taking a variety of pills but knows it isn't a sustainable solution.
They say I'm Pac rebirth, never put out a weak verse
Polo G is compared to Tupac and is known for consistently strong lyrics.
Homicides when we lurk, I'ma step 'til my feet hurt
Polo G and his crew are involved in dangerous situations and he will continue to work hard even if it hurts him physically.
Been puttin' them streets first
Despite his music success, Polo G still prioritizes his experiences and struggles in the streets.
White tees turned burgundy T-shirts
Polo G's white T-shirts have been stained with blood from violence in the streets.
Lookin' for somethin' real, he stuck in a deep search
Polo G is searching for something genuine but is having trouble finding it.
Anxiety killin' me, I just wanna leave Earth
Polo G's anxiety is overwhelming and he wishes to escape his problems on Earth.
When they ask if I'm okay, it just make everything seem worse
When people ask if he is okay, it only amplifies Polo G's negative feelings.
Tryna explain your feelings sound like something you rehearsed
Polo G struggles with expressing his emotions and it comes across as rehearsed or inauthentic.
Stabbed me in my back with a clean smirk
Someone betrayed Polo G with a smile on their face.
Lookin' so deep into your eyes, I can read your thoughts, so
Polo G is skilled at reading people's thoughts and emotions by looking into their eyes.
Shut the fuck, I mean, please don't talk
Polo G tells someone to stop talking and be quiet.
I done been through too much and I don't need another loss
Polo G has already faced many struggles and does not want to experience more pain or loss.
Put that on every war scar, for every battle I fought
Polo G is willing to testify to his experiences and struggles as evidence of his strength and resilience.
When I'm finished
Polo G repeats this phrase, possibly reflecting on his legacy and what he hopes to achieve moving forward.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Downtown Music Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Alex Wu, Einer Bankz, Shane Lindstrom, Taurus Bartlett
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind