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.
I Know
Polo G Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
(Dmac on the fucking track)
(Tahj Money)
Mmm, mmm, mmm
Bondin' over drugs and pain, dirty Sprite share
My dawg was one of a kind, I know your type rare
I know life is a bitch and she don't fight fair
Left us behind, you seen that light glare
I know you walkin' up to Heaven on them white stairs
Why I can't just pull up to your crib and see you right there?
Nobody love you 'til you dead, that's when they might care
Let's just be friends before we rush into a label
Wanna know if you really for me, girl, what's your angle?
It's only for the better if I'm tryna change you
Lovin' me ain't easy, if you leave, I don't blame you
Trauma got me fucked up, so I'm mentally unstable
I got wrapped up in my emotions, now I'm tangled
Deep in my thoughts and overthinkin' can get painful
Watch how I move, one wrong decision can be fatal
Hidden messages, conversations with my angels
Just walk with me and you'll see I'm tryna save you
Most times I'm by myself I'm still confused from betrayal
From rags to riches, shit's still hard, I'm just on phase two
Bondin' over drugs and pain, dirty Sprite share
My dawg was one of a kind, I know your type rare
I know life is a bitch and she don't fight fair
How the fuck I wake up from a dream to a nightmare?
Left us behind, you seen that light glare
I know you walkin' up to Heaven on them white stairs
Why I can't just pull up to your crib and see you right there?
Nobody love you 'til you dead, that's when they might care
Livin' on his own and he runnin' out of options now
'Cause he felt like he couldn't be his self at his mama house
Hittin' licks, missin' school, junior year he thought 'bout droppin' out
Him against the world, .40 on him when he poppin' out
On his dark road, he just tryna find a proper route
Hate the criticism, he uses music to block it out
By his auntie, he was molested as a baby boy
Messed up his head, it even changed the way he play with toys
Up late night rappin', then they told him to quit makin' noise
Stuck in his feelings, he be spendin' every day annoyed
He wanna stand over a nigga, leave his face destroyed
He miss his hood, now this something that he can't avoid
Bondin' over drugs and pain, dirty Sprite share
My dawg was one of a kind, I know your type rare
I know life is a bitch and she don't fight fair
How the fuck I wake up from a dream to a nightmare?
Left us behind, you seen that light glare
I know you walkin' up to Heaven on them white stairs
Why I can't just pull up to your crib and see you right there?
Nobody love you 'til you dead, that's when they might care
The song "I Know" by Polo G presents a powerful insight into the darkness that can envelop one's mind in the face of betrayal, trauma, and loss. The lyrics open with the singer reminiscing about times gone by, bonding over drugs and pain, and sharing a dirty Sprite with his loyal companion. He recognizes his friend's rarity, acknowledging that he was one of a kind, just before revealing that he has passed away. He expresses the pain of waking up from a beautiful dream to a gruesome nightmare, and how he wishes he could simply wake up and see his friend right there. He understands that life is unfair, and people only care when it is too late. The singer is also struggling with his own insecurities and mental health, recognizing that his trauma has made him mentally unstable. The pain of betrayal runs deep, and he is still trying to navigate the ups and downs of life.
The second verse goes on to tell the story of a young man who is struggling to find his footing in life. He's running out of options and feels like he can't be himself in his own home. He's hitting licks, missing school, and considering dropping out. He carries a .40 on him when he goes out, and he's trying to find his path in a world that doesn't seem to understand him. The young man has experienced sexual abuse, and it has left him feeling angry and wanting to take revenge. Music is his only escape, but even that can't block out the hate and criticism that he faces constantly. The singer recognizes that his friend's life was cut short, and that he was also a victim of the darkness that can overtake one's mind.
Overall, "I Know" offers a powerful message about the impact of trauma and loss on one's mental health, as well as the importance of appreciating those who are important to us while they are still here.
Line by Line Meaning
Bondin' over drugs and pain, dirty Sprite share
My friend and I have a close relationship that was built over drugs and difficult experiences that we shared together, including drinking cough syrup mixed with soda (a popular drug known as 'dirty Sprite').
My dawg was one of a kind, I know your type rare
My friend was special and unique, and I know it's rare to find someone like him.
I know life is a bitch and she don't fight fair
I recognize that life is difficult and unfair sometimes.
How the fuck I wake up from a dream to a nightmare?
I'm struggling to understand how my life changed so quickly and drastically, from a good dream to a terrible reality.
Left us behind, you seen that light glare
My friend passed away and I witnessed the light of life fade from him as he died.
I know you walkin' up to Heaven on them white stairs
I believe my friend is going to Heaven, and I picture him walking up a staircase towards it.
Why I can't just pull up to your crib and see you right there?
I wish I could go to my friend's home and see him once again.
Nobody love you 'til you dead, that's when they might care
People often don't appreciate or care about you until you die, and then they might express sympathy or affection.
Livin' on his own and he runnin' out of options now
A young man is struggling to make ends meet and doesn't have many choices left.
'Cause he felt like he couldn't be his self at his mama house
He didn't feel like he could be himself (perhaps due to his sexual orientation or other factors) while living with his mother.
Hittin' licks, missin' school, junior year he thought 'bout droppin' out
He has turned to stealing and is considering dropping out of school in his third year.
Him against the world, .40 on him when he poppin' out
He feels like everyone is against him, and he carries a gun with him for protection.
On his dark road, he just tryna find a proper route
He is lost and trying to find a way to live his life positively and successfully.
Hate the criticism, he uses music to block it out
He can't handle negative feedback or criticism from others, and he turns to making music as a form of escape.
By his auntie, he was molested as a baby boy
He experienced childhood sexual abuse by his aunt when he was a young child.
Messed up his head, it even changed the way he play with toys
The abuse had a profound impact on his mental state, even influencing the way he engaged with play as a child.
Up late night rappin', then they told him to quit makin' noise
He stays up late writing and recording music, but some people discourage him and tell him to stop making noise.
Stuck in his feelings, he be spendin' every day annoyed
He is consumed by negative emotions and feels frustrated and irritated every day.
He wanna stand over a nigga, leave his face destroyed
He has violent urges and desires to physically hurt other people.
He miss his hood, now this something that he can't avoid
He is nostalgic for his old neighborhood and misses it, but he can't change his current situation.
Lyrics © GREAT SOUTH BAY MUSIC GROUP INC, LUSH MUSIC LLC, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Songtrust Ave
Written by: David McDowell, Tahj Vaughn, Taurus Bartlett, Thomas Horton
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@mr.twinkie4494
This song was played at my dads funeral
@lukagocrazy1601
Dets great hope ur dad rest easy
@mr.twinkie4494
Crazy Centric1 thanks man
@spidermaniscool12
Sorry for your loss bro, keep your head up 🙏
@liiam7302
RIP your dad
@benbm04
❤️❤️
@iheartbenjis4370
When polo said 0:00-2:57 i felt 😔
@sym5341
IHEART BENJIS that’s the point
@iheartbenjis4370
t1manderson exactly
@nbaminchez2543
@@timanderson1457 stop being slow