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.
Hollywood
Polo G Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It′s hard to speak on what I'm feeling up inside
I can′t even look my mama in her eyes
I put you through so much and I apologize
I'm cashing checks I hope these hunnids stop the crying
Where I'm from they only love you when you die
I′m from the trenches where we fighting to survive
Can′t be another victim of these homicides
And you can't even show too much love, or they get greedy
The same niggas don′t give a fuck, saying don't leave me
For my niggas I wrote this one in blood, I know you see me
It ain′t no turning back they went too far so fuck a treaty
Phone on airplane mode, I'm too high up for you to reach me
I been too busy chasing my dreams, I′m never sleepy
Catch us at the awards like look mama I'm on TV
I'm just tryna make my mark in this shit, like Pac or Weezy
I can tell by the look in your eyes, you probably need me
But it′s a lot of girls that′s attractive, what can you teach me?
And is you gon' stick around or say fuck me when this ain′t easy?
It be the ones that you least expected
I swear this shit it get greasy
This shit left me shell shocked and traumatized
It's hard to speak on what I′m feeling up inside
I can't even look my mama in her eyes
I put you through so much and I apologize
I′m cashing checks I hope these hunnids stop the crying
Where I'm from they only love you when you die
I'm from the trenches where we fighting to survive
Can′t be another victim of these homicides
My lil′ niggas they some demons, they be quick to let it spark
We was shorties on the block, we wasn't playing in the park
Granny say whatever you do, just play it smart
I keep getting tatted, just to cover up the scars
I′m just tryna shine and fight my way up out the dark
We like royalty, kings is what we are
I just plan on chasing my dreams and going far
Gotta think big if you plan on living large
Tryna look on Billboard and see my name up on them charts
I walk up in the stu' and put my soul in every bar
Whole team gotta eat, we filling up the shopping cart
And you can′t grab a plate if you weren't right here from the start
This shit left me shell shocked and traumatized
It′s hard to speak on what I'm feeling up inside
I can't even look my mama in her eyes
I put you through so much and I apologize
I′m cashing checks I hope these hunnids stop the crying
Where I′m from they only love you when you die
I'm from the trenches where we fighting to survive
Can′t be another victim of these homicides
In this song Hollywood by Polo G, the rapper talks about his struggles and the difficulties he has faced growing up in the trenches. The first verse of the song exemplifies the pain and trauma he has experienced throughout his life. Polo G confesses that he has put his mother through a lot and apologizes for it. The chorus repeats how life in the trenches is a constant battle for survival, where the love only comes after death. Polo G is determined to break through and make it big in life.
In the second verse, Polo G talks about how he is careful with the love he shows because people tend to become greedy. He also mentions how he wrote this song for his friends in blood and portrays how there is no going back after committing to the path he has chosen. The verses end with him telling the listener how he is pursuing his dreams and aspirations, but he does not know if the people around him will stick with him through hard times.
Overall, the song reflects the pain and trauma of growing up in poverty, where survival is a constant struggle. The lyrics show the harsh reality of the streets and the difficult lifestyle that many young people face. Polo G’s lyrics are raw, honest and demonstrate his determination to break through and make it big.
Line by Line Meaning
This shit left me shell shocked and traumatized
The experiences I've had have deeply affected me and caused me a lot of emotional pain.
It's hard to speak on what I'm feeling up inside
It's difficult for me to express my emotions and talk about what I'm going through on the inside.
I can't even look my mama in her eyes
My actions have caused me shame and I can't face my mother because of it.
I put you through so much and I apologize
I know I have wronged others and I am sorry for the pain I have caused.
I'm cashing checks I hope these hunnids stop the crying
I hope that the money I am making will help ease the pain and struggles of those around me.
Where I'm from they only love you when you die
In my hometown, people only seem to care about you and recognize your worth after you are gone.
I'm from the trenches where we fighting to survive
I come from a difficult and dangerous environment where people struggle just to make it day to day.
Can't be another victim of these homicides
I don't want to become another statistic of the senseless violence that plagues my community.
My lil' niggas they some demons, they be quick to let it spark
The young people I associate with are dangerous and not afraid to use violence.
We was shorties on the block, we wasn't playing in the park
When we were kids, we didn't have the luxury of a carefree childhood because we had to be vigilant and aware of our dangerous surroundings.
Granny say whatever you do, just play it smart
My grandmother advises me to be careful and wise in my decisions.
I keep getting tatted, just to cover up the scars
I am getting tattoos in an attempt to hide the emotional and physical scars I have accumulated.
I'm just tryna shine and fight my way up out the dark
I am trying to succeed and overcome my difficult circumstances despite the obstacles in my path.
We like royalty, kings is what we are
Despite our struggles, we are still proud and see ourselves as powerful and important individuals.
I just plan on chasing my dreams and going far
My goals are to achieve success and go as far as I can.
Gotta think big if you plan on living large
In order to achieve success, you have to have big dreams and aspirations.
Tryna look on Billboard and see my name up on them charts
I aspire to be recognized and successful in the music industry.
I walk up in the stu' and put my soul in every bar
When I am recording music, I put all of my emotions and passion into every line.
Whole team gotta eat, we filling up the shopping cart
I want to succeed not only for myself, but to provide for those around me as well.
And you can't grab a plate if you weren't right here from the start
If you weren't with me through my struggles and my journey, then you don't deserve to benefit from my success.
Writer(s): Ringo Garza, Joey Garza, Henry Garza
Contributed by Caleb I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@Draineo
Damn Polo .. I Can Really Relate To These Lyrics 💯 . Solid ✊🏽 .
@bossmarofficial1047
U hear him tho
@johnnienelson8131
Bro do you even do YouTube anymore
@DeeMaccYT
Check me out 🔥🔥
@717swerv
DraineoTV aye bro, when you gone make some more videos? I miss them fr!
@024junior4
I can relate too.. 💯
@grootgroot2759
This shit so underrated one of the best songs I know
@jrwezzy7811
Upcoming Florida Artist 💯 Is My New Song “D.N.D” Good? 🔥 I appreciate all feedback🙏
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lveqywDaoqg
@rahimfox4916
yessir
@tivonwallace2788
No bs