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.
Lost Files
Polo G Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Then whole hood really went wild
Long live the gang, man, the whole hood missin' them smiles
Swear the whole hood missin' them smiles
I'm a Set baby, 1300 block ass nigga
You can tell from my walk to my style
I ain't really hop off the porch 'til a nigga got older
But I been on the block since a child
Stay as far from as I look up to the clouds
Pray for a sign just to know you still with me, so I seen the sun shine
That's how I knew that you was proud
God was there so many times, could've lost my life
Or fought for it on trial
But it's like he chose me to be the one with the mic' in my hands
Steady talkin' in front of them crowds
Overcame a lot by myself ever since I got rich
It's like everybody wanna come around
I remember I was dead broke, nigga, I ain't have shit
You one of the list of numbers I could dial
Back against the ropes, wasn't no one there to help me fight
Nigga, I wanna just throw in the towel
Keep my circle small, never let a bitch nigga in
That's just somethin' that I really can't allow
Man, I'm sorry, but I can't yell, "Gang", with a nigga who ain't valid
Or down to do a bid with me
Seem like every day it's a brand new nigga in my face
Tryna claim some kin to me
It's a whole lot of niggas with thay fuckin' hand out
But can't name one thing they done did for me
Hell nah, you can't hit this Backwood if you wasn't scrapin' up change
Blowin' Swishers in the crib with me
Seem like the industry pick and choose who they want in the front
Man, this shit lookin' rigged to me
And you talkin' like you live that shit but I'm really from the trenches
I don't feel it, so I disagree
Do you really understand all the ups and downs to this lifestyle?
Shit fun but it's bittersweet
What you know about days missing out on meals
Just to make sure your brothers and your sisters eat?
It was re-up time, I was on my grind
Told the P's I ain't taking no shorts
We was playin' the block, fuck a sport
The way that we shootin' and passin' the rock
You would think that we play on the court
When my niggas died, they thought it was funny
So kill 'em and don't show remorse
It's a whole lot of goofy ass niggas in the way out here
Should've stayed on the porch
Niggas ain't ready to give up the spotlight
They don't wanna pass me the torch
Yeah, I'm hot right now so they gon' dick ride
Whether it's hate or support
But was I gon' make it? Of course
Lil Polo like that man on the horse
I need a Lambo' or a Porsche
Tryna run up them M's
Got place to flex on these niggas like I'm liftin' weights at the gym
I hang with some killers
Few lil' savages with me, my shooters don't aim at the rim
He tough with his chest out
We pull them TECs out, blast 'til we knock off a limb
Have him runnin' up out of his Timbs
Niggas know we be wettin' shit
If you walk with the opps then I hope you can swim
In Polo G's song Lost Files, he reflects on his past experiences and how his life has changed since then. He nostalgically speaks about the good old days when things were simple and peaceful, but now the streets have become violent and dangerous. Polo G pays tribute to his hometown by reminiscing about his upbringing on the 1300 block as a Set baby, while also acknowledging the losses his community has suffered. He misses the smiles of those who have passed away and prays for a sign that they are still with him. The artist credits God for sparing his life on numerous occasions, and he feels a sense of duty as the chosen one to hold the microphone and talk to his people.
Polo G also touches on the challenges of navigating a new life as a successful artist. He talks about overcoming personal struggles since he got rich and how everyone wants to be around him now that he's successful. But he recognizes that he was alone when he was poor and looks out for himself and his small circle. He doesn't want to associate with those who are not trustworthy or down to ride for him. He implies that some people are looking to benefit from his success rather than genuinely care for him, which bothers him.
The second half of the song shows Polo G boasting about his success and prominence in the rap game. He discloses his desire to earn millions and drive fancy cars. He constantly reminds the listener that he's a product of his environment and reiterates his allegiance to his past. The outro mentions Polo G's involvement in street violence and warns those who walk with his enemies to beware.
Line by Line Meaning
Everything was all good way back in the day
The past was a happier time, more filled with peaceful nostalgia
Then whole hood really went wild
The community and people in it became much more reckless and dangerous
Long live the gang, man, the whole hood missin' them smiles
There was a sense of belonging and togetherness within the gang that is missed dearly by everyone in their community
Swear the whole hood missin' them smiles
Everyone in the community has suffered greatly with the loss of members of the gang
I'm a Set baby, 1300 block ass nigga
I grew up as a member of a specific block and community
You can tell from my walk to my style
My personality and the way I carry myself reflect where I come from
I ain't really hop off the porch 'til a nigga got older
I didn't start exploring and being adventurous in life until I grew up a bit
But I been on the block since a child
I have been a part of this community since I was a young child
We was rugrats in the trenches, now you up in the sky
We were innocent and naive when we started experiencing the harsh realities of our community, and now some of us have passed away
Stay as far from as I look up to the clouds
I try to distance myself from bad influences and stay positive in hope of a better future
Pray for a sign just to know you still with me, so I seen the sun shine
I pray for a sign from my friends who have passed away to let me know that they are still with me, and the sun shining is one of those signs for me
That's how I knew that you was proud
The shining sun was a sign from my late friends that they were happy and proud of me for my success
God was there so many times, could've lost my life
I feel like I have been saved so many times by a higher power, and I easily could have lost my life in the past
Or fought for it on trial
I am grateful that I did not have to fight for my life in legal battles
But it's like he chose me to be the one with the mic' in my hands
I feel blessed to be able to share my message through music and passionately express myself
Steady talkin' in front of them crowds
I am confident speaking in front of large audiences and thrive on making connections with people through my music
Overcame a lot by myself ever since I got rich
I had to work hard and overcome many obstacles alone in order to achieve my wealth and success
It's like everybody wanna come around
Since I have become successful, many people want to be a part of my life and be close to me
I remember I was dead broke, nigga, I ain't have shit
I recall a time of being extremely poor and not having anything to my name
You one of the list of numbers I could dial
You are one of the few people I am able to contact and trust
Back against the ropes, wasn't no one there to help me fight
I had to fight my own battles even when it felt like nobody was there to support me
Nigga, I wanna just throw in the towel
I wanted to give up and quit trying at times
Keep my circle small, never let a bitch nigga in
I choose to keep my close friend circle tight and only allow in trustworthy, real people
That's just somethin' that I really can't allow
I simply cannot allow a fake, undeserving person into my inner circle
Man, I'm sorry, but I can't yell, "Gang", with a nigga who ain't valid
I cannot stand with people who do not have loyalty and respect to me and my gang
Or down to do a bid with me
I only stand with people who I know are serious and dedicated to the gang for the long run
Seem like every day it's a brand new nigga in my face
I seem to constantly be faced with new people trying to get close to me
Tryna claim some kin to me
Some of these new people try to act like they are familial with me to gain my trust
It's a whole lot of niggas with thay fuckin' hand out
Many people want something from me, whether it be money or connections
But can't name one thing they done did for me
They cannot list anything beneficial that they have actually done for me
Hell nah, you can't hit this Backwood if you wasn't scrapin' up change
I will not share my weed with someone who cannot even afford to buy their own
Blowin' Swishers in the crib with me
I only smoke with my close, trustworthy friends
Seem like the industry pick and choose who they want in the front
The music industry favors and promotes certain artists over others
Man, this shit lookin' rigged to me
It appears as though the industry is fixed and not based on genuine talent or authenticity
And you talkin' like you live that shit but I'm really from the trenches
People who act like they come from the same harsh environment as me, but really don't, frustrate me
I don't feel it, so I disagree
I do not feel like they are actually from the same environment as me, so I dispute their claims
Do you really understand all the ups and downs to this lifestyle?
People do not realize the hardships and struggles that come with living a certain type of lifestyle
Shit fun but it's bittersweet
Life can be exciting and enjoyable, but also bring about negative consequences and hardships
What you know about days missing out on meals
People who have never experienced going hungry and missing meals do not understand what it truly means to go through poverty
Just to make sure your brothers and your sisters eat?
Sometimes, people have to go without food to ensure that their family members have enough to eat
It was re-up time, I was on my grind
It was time to restock and refresh, and I was working hard in order to be successful
Told the P's I ain't taking no shorts
I communicated with the people I was working with that I was not going to be taken advantage of
We was playin' the block, fuck a sport
Instead of participating in organized sports, we were playing on the streets and focusing on our community
The way that we shootin' and passin' the rock
We handled our business in a similar way to how a basketball team works together with shooting and passing
You would think that we play on the court
We were that good at working together and achieving our goals
When my niggas died, they thought it was funny
People outside of our community did not take our losses seriously and found them amusing
So kill 'em and don't show remorse
We are going to retaliate fiercely against those who do not understand the seriousness of our losses
It's a whole lot of goofy ass niggas in the way out here
There are a lot of untrustworthy and unhelpful people who are hindering our success in our community
Should've stayed on the porch
Those people should have stayed out of our business and not gotten involved in matters they do not understand
Niggas ain't ready to give up the spotlight
Some people are too self-centered and do not want to give others a chance to shine
They don't wanna pass me the torch
They are not willing to step aside and let someone else have the opportunity to succeed
Yeah, I'm hot right now so they gon' dick ride
People are going to follow the trends and ride the wave of whoever is popular at the moment
Whether it's hate or support
People will either show genuine support or express animosity towards those who are successful
But was I gon' make it? Of course
I always believed in myself, and knew that I would be successful with my music career
Lil Polo like that man on the horse
I feel like I am a conqueror and have the power and ability to achieve my goals
I need a Lambo' or a Porsche
I have high standards for success and want the symbols of wealth and achievement, such as a Lamborghini or Porsche
Tryna run up them M's
I am striving to earn millions of dollars
Got place to flex on these niggas like I'm liftin' weights at the gym
Once I have achieved great success, I want to flaunt and show off my wealth to others
I hang with some killers
Some of the people I associate with are violent and have killed people
Few lil' savages with me, my shooters don't aim at the rim
Some of my friends are deadly and precise with their weapons
He tough with his chest out
Someone is acting tough and confident
We pull them TECs out, blast 'til we knock off a limb
We will pull out our weapons and shoot to harm someone severely
Have him runnin' up out of his Timbs
The victim will be running away so fast that they will run out of their Timberland shoes
Niggas know we be wettin' shit
People are aware that our group is capable of causing harm and destruction
If you walk with the opps then I hope you can swim
If you are associated with our enemies, I hope you are able to defend yourself and survive the consequences
Lyrics ยฉ Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Detric Jamal Jackson, Sidney Reynolds, Taurus Tremani Bartlett, Ashley Marie Gainey
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Champion Jay
The most underrated song on the album, but the most deep and personal, real young legend
Johnny Harrold III
Faxxx
Shreejash Risal
Champion J facts
Ryan Muck
No lie. I thought I had heard the whole album but somehow I missed this one. I swear every song on there ๐ฅ
hvbi `
LEGEND โ๏ธ
PunchTownBC
Champion J who here from polo g story
aka Effects
Music hit differently when you relate. ๐ฏ๐ฏ
Maurice Sanford
aka Effects ongod ๐๐ฝ
iso jay
Ong
Joshua
G foe ikr