Taurus Tremani Bartlett (born January 6, 1999), known professionally as Pol… Read Full Bio ↴Taurus Tremani Bartlett (born January 6, 1999), known professionally as Polo G, is an American rapper from Chicago, Illinois. He is best known for his song with Bronx rapper, Lil Tjay, "Pop Out", which has amassed over 80 million views on YouTube and peaked at number 11 on the Billboard Hot 100.

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.

The Come Up
Polo G Lyrics

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Ayo, ayo
Lil′ Capalot, man, look
You ain't gotta like me but I′ma make you feel, on my mama, haha

What you know about late nights
Trapping in the snow 'til your feet numb and your nose run
What you know about rainy days when the skies are grey
Nigga, we ain't see no sun

What you know about being piss poor, ′member we was that broke
Man, that shit was no fun
What you know about war time when we had to slide
So we went and bought more guns

Used to wake up so mad for no reason
′Member them days that depression was beating me
I use to wish I wasn't breathin′
The person I use to be died right in front of me
Life went too fast and start grieving
Took some time to realize that you can't trust a soul
Nigga, that′s when my heart started freezing
One day, I'm like fuck it, I′m just gon' keep writing
And stress really started relieving

Man, I ain't have nothing, just me and this rap shit
Something told me just keep on believing
Look at everything I′ve been achieving
I look up and thank God for the man I′m becoming
And blessings that I've been receiving
I told ′em it's coming, they didn′t wanna listen
They said how you know, 'cause I seen it

Bitch, ain′t no competition, I run the North side
I turnt up and took over my region
Long live 22 boy, I do this for you
Man, I swear I'm gon' ball every season
Can′t forget number five, he just live through the guys
That′s why all of us turned into some demons
And I feel like I'm three with this curry on me
Might just black out when I get to squeezing

We need that lead fuck tryna get even
Can′t switch up on my niggas, I'm stuck with my niggas
Tell bro′nem I pledge my allegiance
And I throw up these L's for the brothers I lost in the field
If you didn′t know the meaning
Popped two Xans, hit the wood, now I'm leaning
Feel so good, keep a young nigga feening
Keep that fake shit away, I won't need it

′Cause you know everybody come around when the sun start shining
When it rain, they gon′ go MIA
It's a lot of demons I be fighting every day
But I tell ′em I'm straight when they say, "Is you okay?"
It′s a lot of shit I done did in these streets
So I ask for forgiveness every time I pray
First day, I got out here they ain't even tell me shits
They say you ain′t even like that, you just in the way

Moving house to house, everybody getting tired of my shit
Moments I didn't really have somewhere to lay
Now I spazz on tracks, got a sack, put the hood on my back
Nigga, ain't that weak shit you could say
Nah, ain′t have it good, man, this shit ain′t no act
I was really with them boys in the hood like Trey
Growing up a shorty just sticking together
But them shells broke bonds, some of us didn't even get to stay

If you fuck me over, I got something for you
Don′t think I forgot it's just been a delay
I ain′t gotta do it, give them hitters that deposit
Put some G's on your head like you play for Greenbay
My lil′ niggas scoring like Isaiah Tomas
He catch you loafing, that's mission accomplished
Keep pistols tucked 'cause tomorrow ain′t promised
I ride to go out with the heat like you gonna

What you know about late nights
Trapping in the snow ′til your feet numb and your nose run
What you know about rainy days when the skies are grey
Nigga, we ain't see no sun
What you know about being piss poor, ′member we was that broke
Man, that shit was no fun
What you know about war time when we had to slide
So we went and bought more guns

What you know about late nights
Trapping in the snow 'til your feet numb and your nose run
What you know about rainy days when the skies are grey
Nigga, we ain′t see no sun
What you know about being piss poor, 'member we was that broke
Man, that shit was no fun

What you know about war time when we had to slide
So we went and bought more guns

Overall Meaning

In "The Come Up," Polo G reflects on his past struggles and the obstacles he had to overcome while chasing his dreams. He starts by questioning the listener's knowledge of late nights spent selling drugs in the cold until their feet go numb and their nose runs. He speaks of the rainy days when there seemed to be no hope, no sunlight to be seen. Polo G reminisces about being extremely poor and broke, emphasizing the lack of fun in that situation. He also mentions the dangerous times when they had to engage in violence and arm themselves with more guns for protection.

The song then transitions to Polo G's personal journey of growth. He opens up about his struggles with depression and the desire to not be alive anymore. However, he experienced a turning point when he decided to channel his emotions into writing and found solace in his music. Polo G acknowledges the difficulties he faced, but he expresses gratitude for the progress he has made and the blessings he has received. He confidently asserts his position as the dominant figure in the North side, proudly representing his region and making dedications to lost friends. He feels invincible, ready to black out and take action when needed.

Polo G confronts the concept of loyalty, emphasizing that he will never switch up on his friends and will remain by their side. He raises his L fingers as a symbol of respect and remembrance for those who have been lost in the field. He mentions his use of drugs to cope with pain and describes the feeling of euphoria it brings. However, he distances himself from fake people and unnecessary drama, proclaiming that he doesn't need it in his life.

The song ends with a reminder that not everyone will stick around during difficult times. Polo G acknowledges the demons he battles within himself daily but reassures others that he is okay. He reflects on the hardships he has faced in the streets, seeking forgiveness through prayer. Despite starting with nothing and experiencing homelessness, Polo G now carries the weight of his community on his back. He alludes to his own experiences and compares them to the singer Trey in the movie "Boyz n the Hood." Finally, he asserts that if someone betrays him, there will be consequences, reminding them that he hasn't forgotten and patiently awaiting the right moment for retribution.

Writer(s): Taurus Tremani Bartlett, Gerald Davis

Contributed by Joshua S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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