Polo G‘s much-anticipated follow up to his debut, Die A Legend, arrives today. The GOAT, as it’s titled, indicates the length of Polo’s ambitions– but equally, it represents his astrological sign, a Capricorn. This, in itself, is seemingly an omen of his destined-to-be greatness, as the rapper tells us in our new interview that he’s among good company– Lebron James, Denzel Washington, Martin Luther King, Tiger Woods, are all fellow Capricorns.

It’s impossible to be great at your craft without constant practice and study, and this is something Polo G seems keenly aware of, and is continuously striving towards, which is refreshing to hear in such a young artist. He’s definitely here to play the long game, and to that effect, he’s actively studying the OGs that came before him– this attitude of course stands in stark contrast to a few other “new gen” rappers that might come to mind. Perhaps Polo’s dedication to the game and desire for greatness is also tied up in his upbringing. As a youth in the Northside of Chicago, he had no choice but to mature quickly and now, he sees no other option but to make this rap thing a full-fledged, long-lasting career, in order to fully leave his street life in the Chi behind. He’s helping himself do that too, with a move to Los Angeles encouraging the artist to not only focus on his career, but to forge a better life for his family, some of whom moved out to L.A. with him. Of course, having a young son acts as motivation as well.

Polo G’s new album is clear evidence of his growth. The rapper shows strides not only in his song-writing abilities, but in his concepts as well, branching out to new territory as he explores a love song or two (“Martin & Gina,” “Beautiful Pain”), and even dabbles in social topics like police brutality on the piano ballad “Wishing For a Hero” featuring BJ The Chicago Kid. 

When we spoke to Polo G the phone at the beginning of the week, five days prior to his album release, this idea of growth was one that he pushed forth, whether it be using the quarantine downtime to improve on his songwriting ability or listening to Tupac and Nas as a way to study their lyricism. 

Read our full interview with the wise-beyond-his-years rapper below, and make sure to go stream The GOAT.

Edited for clarity 

Image HNHH

HotNewHipHop: This is Rose with HNHH how are you?

Polo G: I’m good.

Good? You sound tired. 

Yeah, I’m exhausted

Yeah, getting ready to drop this new album in quarantine. How’s it going? You’re in LA right now?

Yeah, I’m in LA currently.

How’s life on lockdown out in LA?

It’s been cool. It’s bearable cause the weather’s good.

Yeah for real. That’s one thing. Where I am the weather is gross and depressing. So the new album is titled The GOAT. Why did you want to follow up Die a Legend with that? Both are pretty big titles, why did you want to call the second one The GOAT? 

It was really like, I knew it would get a bit of controversy, a lot of different opinions, but it was really a play on my zodiac sign. Me being a Capricorn and the goat representing the Capricorn, and I just know all around that Capricorns are one of the greatest at whatever they were doing. Whether it was Lebron James, Denzel Washington, Martin Luther King, Tiger Woods. People who are great at what they did, so I feel like it needs to be great.

Cool, I didn’t know the double meaning. So, thinking about being the best, I wanted to know since you dropped Die A Legend, what’s a positive way that you’ve changed or grown since you dropped that album. How are you continuing to level up and get better? Is there one thing that you’ve done like, “Since I dropped Die a Legend I stopped doing this drug.” Something positive in your life if there’s anything you can speak on like that.

I feel like I got better at my work ethic. I’ve spent a lot more time in the studio this time around, so I just got better with my song writing ability and my ability to dish out way more music or create way more music, and really finding my best creative spaces. 

That’s dope. I just got the album like an hour ago so I haven’t had that much time to listen it, but I definitely heard– you’re trying new things. The “Martin and Gina” track I found was so dope but it’s a little bit different for you just in the fact that it’s a love song and a lot of Die a Legend was just you reflecting on where you grew up and your neighborhood and that type of thing. This is actually a relationship song. So, what inspired that record? Was it a new relationship or it’s just you’re now finally able to write about new things, like your song writing has evolved?

Yeah, just me being able to write about more things, and evolving on my sound and the topic that I want to expound on cause I know you can only talk about a certain subject so much until people are like, we get it. You feel me? So I just wanted to switch up my flow so I got more to offer as an artist. 

Yeah, it’s dope. I thought that one and “Lose My Mind” seemed kind of like a relationship love song which is new territory for you. What’s your favorite type of song to write?

I feel like it’s easier for me to make heartfelt music because it’s just speaking on what I’ve been through or what I’m going through currently. It’s always easier to make those type of songs cause they flow easier through me, and that’s something I started out with. So, my roots sound or root flow as an artist will always be easy.

Yeah, okay. Your first album you had essentially no features. Lil Tjay was basically the only feature. On this album you have a few more and obviously the Juice Wrld one is gonna be pretty big. When did you get that verse from him, like how long ago was that? How did that song come together?

Me and Juice Wrld we just always used to link up in Cali. He used to stay 15 minutes from me, so we just had that type of relationship where we always link up with each other, if he wanted me to slide on him, we could just be chilling, we didn’t even make music like that. But there was a time that I had recorded a song with Hit-Boy and I left an open [verse] on it and he said that he’ll get Juice on it and Juice sent me the verse back within a week or two and I called him back like, ‘man, I appreciate you for that,’ cause he’s a pretty big artist. Well, to me, one of the biggest artists in the world at the time, so. He just look out for me cause we had that type of relationship.

Yeah. And “Relentless” seems almost– the hook is almost like an ode to artists like Juice Wrld that are gone to soon. Is that something you were thinking about when you wrote that?

Um, not necessarily. It was actually the record that I got called “I Know”, I basically tailored the hook around the situation with him and our friendship. I was basically having him in my head when I was writing the hook to that song. 

To “I Know”?

Yeah. 

Oh, okay. So, the other bigger feature that you have is Lil Baby and you guys also just collaborated on Durk’s song. Have you guys spent time in the studio in real like before the pandemic or was that all done online, email?

Me and Lil Baby got like our third song together. He was in the “Pop Out” remix, he hopped onto “Be Something,” and the song with Durk, but we never linked in the studio before, which is kinda– but I guess that’s just how go business goes in this day and age. I don’t recall ever really meet him in person.

Oh, shit. What about Lil Tjay, you guys for sure have been in the studio together?

Yeah, we worked on “Pop Out” in the studio together. All I thought was we were sharing a session just doing our thing. 

In New York?

Yeah. When I walked into his session or he walked into mine, we just worked from there.

That’s so crazy. Do you guys have any unreleased songs together? Like how many collaborations do you have total would you estimate?

I think about, in total about three or four. Two of them being out. We didn’t really lock in to work on that much music but it’s definitely a though, definitely something to get going.

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Would you ever do a joint mixtape with him or is there anyone else like is that something that you want to do? The joint project kind of trend?

Yeah I’m definitely open to doing one with him. Some of the other bigger artists that compliment my sound…I can’t really pinpoint one as of right now, but I know that I would be open to doing that with any artist that I enjoy their music too. 

That would be dope. Who are some older artists that you do enjoy their music, that you’re listening to right now? Maybe not from your generation but from the older generation?

I could say probably like Tupac. That’s the only person from the older generation that I could say– that’s honestly the only [one]. Besides him I’ve been listening to Nas. Just trying to really learn my history on hip hop, and just really feel them out as being real lyricists cause I know I pride myself on being a lyricist.

That’s so dope and I noticed that you must study those things, because I found that some of your word choices– you opt for the less-used word, in rapping but also in conversation. You use words that we don’t always use like, when you say ’embrace’ instead of ‘hug’ and ‘expound’– you just said ‘expound’ in this conversation– so it’s cool to see that initiative and that growth.

Yeah, I definitely pride myself on doing that too cause I just try to make myself stand out as an artist.

I mean, that’s how you’re going to get better. Who are some of your favorite producers to work with?

My favorite producer…I actually enjoy working with Taj Money, I enjoy working with 10 Forty and his crew. I like really upcoming producers, more than mainstream producers, because I feel like it’s more of a vibe. I feel like mainstream producers pull a sound out of you that you probably never knew you had, and they give you more of a mainstream sound, because they know what the rest of the world really wants to hear, but I feel like working with the producers who really grinding, like you can feel a hunger and how they’re coming towards the song and I’m trying to produce that same type of hunger.

Yeah, that’s true. In terms of what draws you to a beat I feel like a lot of your stuff is dark and there’s a lot of piano keys in your beats. Are there any specific elements that you look for?

I listen for pianos, I listen for guitar. Like it just gotta have a nice little bounce to the beat, like the 808. That’s gonna sell me every time. 

I definitely hear that. It sounds like from various interviews that I’ve heard with you, that your family is super involved in you career. Does every one of your family members have a different role in terms of your career? Like your mom is your manager, is that still true?

Yeah my OG is my manager. She’s been my manager really since the day that I signed, so. We’ve been locked in.

How was your sister and your dad involved or your other siblings? Do they also have a role?

Yeah to an extent. My sister’s like my road manager, and my pops, he does equipment for me when I’m on tour, like setting up. Though I put everybody to play. I know coming around towards the next time, my little brother’s gonna be doing the hype man work for me, so I really incorporate my family, really try to put them on.

That’s so dope. Do they all live in LA with you, like did everyone move out there?

At one point in time everybody lived out there but then after getting a feel for it, other people in my family, they moved back to Illinois.

Oh, okay. What didn’t they like about it? Do you like living in LA or, what do you think of it?

I feel like LA is one of the best places to live in the world. It’s definitely my second home. I love Chicago too, it’s my hometown. I just know that I left Chicago to stay away from getting in trouble.

Right. In terms of local artists and figures in Chicago who are the most important people locally. Like maybe it’s Lil Durk or G Herbo, people like that. Who do you look up to in Chicago? 

I don’t look up to anybody in Chicago. I respect all of the artists that’s doing their thing, but I’m really focused on myself and trying to out-do my last achievements, and really cement my name as one of the great artists, so. I don’t necessarily look up to anybody. 

Okay. If it’s not Chicago is there anyone you look up to in general or you’re really just like, ‘I don’t do that’?

I mean it’s certain people that I respect the way that they move like, I look at Meek Mill and people like Drake, like this is the way you’re supposed to be when you’re thirty years old, and you still doing your thing in rap, like this is how it’s supposed to look. I definitely pay attention to those types of thing.

That’s smart. One last thing I wanted to talk about is when you look on YouTube, a lot of the comments on your videos and your interviews, it’s all so inspirational and motivational– you’ve motivated a lot of your fans, basically. So I just wanted to know who inspires and motivates you in a similar way that you’re motivating all these young people?

I would say somebody like Tupac inspires [me], you feel me. In just what it is I’m doing and just standing firm in what I believe in, somebody like Nipsey Hussle, too.

Okay, that’s dope. Do you want to leave the fans with words of motivation during this insane time that we’re all going through? 

Just really try to keep your head up and, probably try to stay away from social media cause I know that can bring you down like you having anxiety issues like that definitely doesn’t help your situation. Take a walk, take a breather, you feel me? Just don’t let this whole thing get to your head.

Yeah, for sure. That’s great. Thank you so much for taking the time to talk to us and we’re looking forward to when the album drops.

I appreciate you thanks for having me.

Polo G is gearing up to release his second album, The GOAT, this coming Friday. The Chicago-bred rapper has made a name for himself, creating emotionally dense bangers fueled by his life growing up in the Northside of Chicago’s Marshall Field Garden Apartments. The 21-year old comes off wise beyond his years in many of his songs and interviews, showing an astute appreciation not only for the history embedded within hip-hop but equally a desire to learn, and grow. His music is often based in reflections, whether it be a drug habit he’s trying to ditch or friends that he lost to street violence– he shares these stories with his listeners in an effort to inspire and motivate them to leave this life alone.

It’s been almost a year since the rapper delivered his Columbia Records debut, Die A Legend, and while his catalogue of songs isn’t immense, it would be a prime moment to familiarize yourself with the star-on-the-rise. We’ve compiled his 10 essential songs for that reason.

Feel free to mention your favorite Polo G records in the comment section.

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Through da Storm

“Through da Storm” definitely tugs on the heartstrings. The record begins with an audio clip from Polo G’s younger sister, who declares just how proud she is of her big brother for all his success. The beat, from DJ Ayo, a frequent collaborator, interpolates the sound of a music box winding up, creating a lullaby-like record– the juxtaposition with Polo’s gruff rhymes making the contrast even more stark.

The hook really encapsulates what Polo G’s music is all about: family and ambition. This ambition is tied up in his desire to lead a better life, while sharing the grim details of his past life; as if to help others avoid his mistakes, or perhaps simply educate the unaware. His delivery is downtrodden yet purposeful, as he aligns each bar with the child-like noises twinkling in the background: “Know my grandma still with me, when it get cold, I feel your spirit / Talkin’ to my lil’ sister, phone calls through Securus / Walk in court in them shackles, see my mama, her eyes tearin’ / Tryna work towards these blessings but the devil keep interfering / Everybody go through something, it’s all about persevering / They was counting me out, I put passion in every lyric / Fuck a sack up at Neimans, spend some racks on my appearance / Yeah, I know that they hate, I’m the man, ain’t tryna hear it.” 

Pop Out feat. Lil Tjay

Obviously. It’s hard to really know if Polo G would be in his current lofty position without the phenomenal success of “Pop Out,” the song that started the snowball of his career. The record, featuring Lil Tjay, was released after Polo G had signed to Columbia Records, and forced the whole rap game to stop and stare– and pay close attention. The two up-and-comers have since forged their respective, successful paths within the industry. “Pop Out” helped solidify this for each artist, as the song quickly became an unavoidable party anthem in 2019 and well into 2020. 

The song received a seemingly unnecessary remix featuring Lil Baby and Gunna alongside Polo G’s debut album Die A Legend, because let’s be honest, you only need the OG version. Lil Tjay is an essential part of the record, as the two artists are torchbearers for a brand new generation of artists who fuel their music with passionate-verging-on-aggressive melodies. That style is what is showcased on “Pop Out,” with vibrant piano production from JD On The Track and Iceberg acting as a moody celebration, just as much as it serves as an ode to their past.

Lost Files 

“Lost Files” serves as the album opener for Polo G’s impressive debut album, Die A Legend. It opens innocently enough, or perhaps better put, ominously enough– the creeping piano keys lend to this sense of foreboding, and within seconds, Polo G is spitting with rapid-fire delivery and painting a picture in the process. As the opening song on his album, “Lost Files” is inviting the listener in, showing the listener around Polo G’s Chicago neighborhood. “Everything was all good way back in the day / Then the 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 Sed baby, 1300 block ass nigga,” he raps. He’s reminiscing in a sense, but not in a wistful way, more of a hard-nosed reflection.

Effortless

“Effortless” is a great example of just how effortless Polo G makes it look. Once again this is a trap-like record that dabbles in piano and flute elements, creating an emotional banger, especially when paired with Polo G’s rhymes: “I come from a dark place, I’ll never be there again,” he promises on wax. He means it, as he instantly switches to his new-found luxury: “Double G’s on everything, Gucci my headband.”

Polo G’s honesty about that “dark place” is what makes his music so intriguing. These aren’t sugar-coated, seemingly out-of-touch bars about toting guns and dealing drugs, rather, these are reflections on how such activities have affected him present-day:  “My homie died at 16 I remember I was up all night / Kept seeing death in my dreams,” he raps somberly.

Heartless

“Heartless” is one of Polo’s newer releases, post-debut-album, and equally, veering off into new production territory thanks to a Mustard beat. The single will be included on Polo’s upcoming album, The GOAT. 

While the West Coast producer may not be the norm for Polo G’s typically dark style, he’s cooked up something perfectly in line with Polo G’s needs. The beat includes a subtle guitar, which, if not the piano, tends to be Polo’s second go-to production element. Meanwhile, Polo is detailing Chicago life in close detail, while also reaching new heights when it comes to career, and attempting to juggle the two– “I used to starve, now I’m blowing up like propane / Told my inner-self, ‘I promise you I won’t change,'” he says.

Dyin Breed

“Dyin Breed” serves as the second song on Polo G’s Die A Legend album, and that means we now have the first five songs from his debut album back-to-back on our essentials list– proving just how strong Die A Legend is. The album received fast critical acclaim when it first released in June of last year, as an un-skippable, deeply personal look into Polo G’s life. Whereas some artists struggle to let listeners in, Polo G never seemed to have an issue opening up. “Dyin Breed,” complete with stuttering hi-hats and fading piano keys, has Polo G detailing street politics, with a subdued tone. “Them was my sandbox niggas like I been with ’em since birth / Tryna pull up on they corner and make niggas disperse / We just want ’em to feel our pain ’cause we been hurt / They took one of ours, we just tryna get reimbursed / Took so many losses, swear I thought the hood was cursed.” He reflects later, “Feel like I’m goin’ numb, swallowin’ these X pills and Percs / Them drugs beatin’ me, feel like my heart gon’ jump through my shirt.” 

This isn’t the type of Future-glorified rap (sorry Future, still enjoy your music) about doing prescription pills, rather, it’s a reflection on a habit that Polo clearly doesn’t like, but also seems powerless to kick. Polo G mentioned in an interview with Pitchfork that he was quitting pills following the birth of his son. “When I started I didn’t see no reason to stop. But then the effects started kicking in, and I seen myself changing. When I turned 20 I started to catch on that I was losing my temper, and my memory was gone,” he told the publication, once again proving a type of maturity you don’t often see in a 20-year old. He referred to himself as an “old soul” in this same interview, and that couldn’t be more true.

Hollywood 

“Hollywood” is a banger that might have missed some of the late-to-party Polo fans because it didn’t wind up any body of work, rather it’s been relegated to loosie status– it did receive an official music video in October 2018, which tellingly says “Unsigned 19yr old North side of Chicago Artist Polo G,” in the YouTube description. Now, the visual has over 24 million views. Polo G has previously said in interviews how he first found viral success on YouTube and Facebook, as opposed to a platform like Soundcloud or Spotify. The rapper is more akin to emotionally-distressed street-bred artists like NBA Youngboy and Kevin Gates, both of whom are YouTube darlings, so it makes sense. “Hollywood” is actually a perfect example of this exact style, with Polo G’s melodies filled with a certain anguish as he rhymes about the aftereffects of all he’s witnessed growing up in the Chi, resulting in PTSD. The piano-laced production showcases another Polo trademark, while his vocals on the hook tremble, as though he’s holding back tears.

 “Probably 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,” he raps in the surprisingly vulnerable hook– again, this why Polo G has made such a deep connection with his fans, who are constantly praising him all over his many viral YouTube videos.

DND

“DND” was released in the promo run ahead of The GOAT. How does it begin? With those piano keys, of course. Somehow, no matter how frequently Polo G incorporates it, it never gets old. The production is from WayneOnTheBeat, not necessarily a name you’re familiar with but again, this is where Polo G tends to veer in the path less taken– his preference is for unknown producers, producers who are hungry– this he details in our interview, dropping on Friday (stay tuned, and all that).

The record is all about momentum, with the bars to match: “Once we start a riot, we can’t keep quiet / We want all the smoke, fuck the peace signs.” The record covers what are now familiar Polo topics; from his drug habit to his OG attitude. He seems to have blinders on, opting to put his phone on ‘Do Not Disturb’ thus inspiring the song’s acronym title. It’s this blinders-on attitude that’s helped Polo find success, he’s not the rapper you see embroiled in online beef or chasing an online status with some sort of social media antic/trend– he keeps to himself and he gets shit done.

Battle Cry

“Battle Cry” appears on Die A Legend, as a haunting tribute to his life in Chicago. The slow-burning chimes at the outset only add to this goosebump-feeling, and Polo G is quickly painting a bleak picture, as he tends to do: “Addicted to this ecstasy, I like how it feel / It’s like I been poppin’ X ever since I tried a pill / Shit got me through some hard times, I lost my mind for real / Lot of shit happened way too fast, I ain’t have time to heal / Ed was gon’ make it on that court but he died in the field / I was still hangin’ in the hood before I signed a deal / Posted on Hudson, jakes ridin’ past, I had my nine concealed,” he raps in the first verse.

This type of dark candor permeates much of Polo’s music, and it’s also reflected in his sing-song voice; his vocals throbbing in discomfort.

Finer Things

Capping off this list, we’re highlighting another Die A Legend cut (and by now, you should realize just how strong this album is– while this list is particularly heavy on the front-end of the album, don’t neglect the latter half). On “Finer Things” Polo G is really crooning, mixing his trap dreams with a bit of subtle r’n’b vibes. The song itself isn’t “hard-hitting”– it’s downcast production from DJ L Beats and DJ Ayo, while Polo debates openly if he should just let go of the streets altogether and focus on the accoutrements of wealth and success that are coming his way–  “Lately, I’ve been feelin’ like fuck the streets, this shit a scam / These days, if it ain’t ’bout money, I don’t give a damn / I’m just gon’ get rich and fuck them plastic hoes on Instagram.” 

This is a record where Polo G is looking to his future, a promising future at that, and realizing, perhaps, about just how damaging street life can be– “Almost went insane, went insane, went insane / From all this pain, all this pain, all this pain.” Still, he’s a beacon of hope amidst it all, and this is why his fans look up to him so much, with the next bar finding the positive in a rather desolate situation: “Turned that pain into passion and made it happen.” Indeed.