Hood Poet
2024 studio album by Polo G
Hood Poet (a backronym for "He Overcame Obstacles During Pain or Emotional Trauma ") is the fourth studio album by American rapper Polo G .[ 3] It was released on August 9, 2024 through Columbia Records .[ 4] The album features guest appearances from 42 Dugg , Fridayy , Future , GloRilla , G Herbo , Hunxho , Offset , Lil Durk , and The Kid Laroi . The production of the album was primarily handled by Southside , Allen Ritter , and Smatt Sertified, with assistance from ATL Jacob , Cubeatz , Dr. Luke , Dru DeCaro , Fridayy , Nick Papz , Noah Goldstein , Pink Slip , TM88 , and Zack Bia , alongside several other producers. The album serves as a follow-up to Bartlett's deluxe album, Hall of Fame 2.0 (2021).
The album was supported by four official singles: "Distraction ", "Barely Holdin' On ", "Angels in the Sky ", and "We Uh Shoot " (with Lil Durk ).
Originally, Hood Poet was teased as a collaborative studio album by Polo G and American record producer Southside .[ 5] In August 2023, Polo G teased the album's release by setting up posters containing lyrics with the album's title Hood Poet under each one.[ 6] On August 15, 2023, he officially announced the album's release, as well as a single titled "Barely Holdin' On ", with the album to release on September 15, 2023,[ 7] [ 8] alongside a 24-hour livestream to promote the album.[ 9] Following the release of "Barely Holdin' On," he announced that he was contemplating retirement from music after he released the album.[ 10] [ 11] However, later that month, on August 23, Polo G was arrested alongside his brother in connection to a robbery. During the search of his home, an illegal short-barreled rifle was found, resulting in an additional firearm charge.[ 12] [ 13] [ 14] The arrest resulted in a delay in the release of the album. A tour was also planned, but those dates were never affected by those charges.[ 15]
In January 2024, Polo G stated in an interview with TMZ that the album would be released in August.[ 16] On March 24, Polo performed his an unreleased track, "Heavy Heart" on From The Block.[ 17] On July 30, 2024, he announced that the album would release on August 9, 2024, while also revealing the cover art and guest appearances for the album.[ 18] [ 19] On August 6, Polo G released the album's official tracklist.[ 20]
Following the release of the album, Polo G released the official music video for the album's fourteenth cut, "Darkside".[ 21]
The album peaked at #28 on Billboard 200 and sold 24,000 units during its first week. It was received negatively by fans and critics alike. As of October 15th, 2024, the album has a user score of 51 on Album Of The Year and a 2.4 star rating on Rate Your Music. Slant Magazine gave the album a 2.5 star review, saying that "Polo G shows little interest in pushing himself out of his immediate comfort zone.
Singles
On May 27, 2022, Polo G announced the first single, "Distraction ", with a trailer featuring YouTuber Kai Cenat .[ 22] "Distraction" was released on June 3, 2022.[ 23] It charted at number 39 on the Billboard Hot 100 .[ 24] The album's second single, "Barely Holdin' On", was released on August 18, 2023.[ 25] It peaked at number 68 on the Billboard Hot 100.[ 24] On May 31, the album's third single, "Angels in the Sky ", was released.[ 26] [ 27] The album's fourth and final single, "We Uh Shoot " featuring Lil Durk , was released on August 2.[ 28]
Track listing
Hood Poet track listingTitle Writer(s) Producer(s) 1. "God's Favorite" 2:12 2. "No Recruits" (featuring G Herbo ) Southside Ritter Smatt Sertified Macshooter ProdLau 3:02 3. "Barely Holdin' On " 2:53 4. "Only Gang" (featuring 42 Dugg ) Bartlett Dion Hayes Luellen Ritter Brown Jermaine Cherry Southside Ritter Smatt Sertified Elliott 3:12 5. "Same Me" (featuring Fridayy ) 2:43 6. "Detox" 2:22 7. "Thorns" Bartlett Luellen Ritter Ashot Akopian Lesidney Ragland Brown Southside Ritter Shottie TooDope Lufye[c] 3:05 8. "G63" (featuring Offset ) Bartlett Kiari Cephus Luellen Ritter Brown Murenets Nikita Alyx Douglas Ford Johan Rosa Southside Ritter Smatt Sertified Splited Stupid Alyx Dougie F Roza 2:46 9. "We Uh Shoot " (featuring Lil Durk ) Southside Ritter TM88 Macshooter Rozay Knockin 2:33 10. "Rain Fallin" (featuring the Kid Laroi ) Southside Ritter Smatt Sertified Jermaine Elliott Wasa 3:01 11. "Distraction " 2:51 12. "No Turning Back" (featuring Hunxho ) Southside Ritter Smatt Sertified Wasa 3:08 13. "Angels in the Sky " Bartlett Paul Whittaker Daniel Ivy 1HittWonder Oz on the Track 1HittWonder 2:42 14. "Darkside" Bartlett Luellen Avery Cockerill Martin Püschel Southside Avery on the Beat Minor2Go 2:53 15. "Bad Kids" (featuring GloRilla ) Twysted Genius 2:36 16. "Survival of the Fittest" (featuring Future ) Ritter Roza ATL Jacob Carlton Hendrix Smoke Thank You Fizzle 2:55 17. "Father's Day" Bartlett Luellen Ritter Brown Cherry T. Gomringer K. Gomringer Luis Bacqué Southside Ritter Smatt Sertified Elliott Cubeatz Luis Bacqué 2:42 18. "From the Heart" Bartlett Luellen Ritter Brown T. Gomringer K. Gomringer Southside Ritter Smatt Sertified Cubeatz 2:18 Total length: 49:54
Notes
^[c] signifies a co-producer
^[a] signifies an additional producer
Personnel
Musicians
Technical
Dale Becker – mastering (3)
Nicolas de Porcel – mastering (9, 13)
Eric Lagg – mastering (11)
Jaycen Joshua – mixing (1, 4-8, 10, 15, 16)
MixedByAli – mixing (2, 9, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18)
Serban Ghenea – mixing (3)
Patrizio "Teezio" Pigliapoco – mixing (11)
Todd Hurtt – mixing (11, 13), recording
Jordan Michael O'Brien – mixing (13), engineering assistance (3)
Michael Hernandez – mixing (14)
Josh Villegas – mixing (15)
Anthony Vega – engineering assistance (1, 18)
Jesse Navaro – engineering assistance (2, 6, 11)
Peter Kuhlmann – engineering assistance (4)
Donovan Fava – engineering assistance (5)
Walker Riggs – engineering assistance (7, 11, 12)
Faith Howard-Parra – engineering assistance (8)
Demitrius Lewis II – engineering assistance (9)
Graham Polk – engineering assistance (9, 16)
Ignacio Portales – engineering assistance (11)
J Shriver – engineering assistance (11)
Kayla Holland – engineering assistance (13)
William Frenchman – engineering assistance (17)
Charts
Release history
References
^ Juon, Steve 'Flash' (August 13, 2024). "Polo G :: Hood Poet – RapReviews" . www.rapreviews.com . Retrieved August 13, 2024 .
^ Attard, Paul (August 12, 2024). "Polo G 'Hood Poet' Review: A Skilled MC Stubbornly Adheres to Formula" . Slant Magazine . Retrieved August 13, 2024 .
^ Grant, Shawn (August 9, 2024). "Polo G Drops Highly Anticipated Album 'H.O.O.D. P.O.E.T.' " . The Source . Retrieved August 9, 2024 .
^ a b Andrews, Elias (August 9, 2024). "Polo G Drops Heartfelt "Hood Poet" Album After A Three Year Absence" . HotNewHipHop . Retrieved August 9, 2024 .
^ Bras Nevares, Gabriel (September 20, 2022). "Polo G Teases Project With 808 Mafia" . HotNewHipHop . Retrieved August 9, 2024 .
^ Horvath, Zachary (August 8, 2023). "Polo G Hints At "Hood Poet" Album With Lyric Posters" . HotNewHipHop . Retrieved September 13, 2023 .
^ Sadler, Armon (August 13, 2023). "Polo G Announces Forthcoming Album 'HOOD POET' For This Fall" . Vibe . Retrieved August 9, 2024 .
^ Trapp, Malcolm (August 15, 2023). "Polo G Announces Release Date For Upcoming Album 'Hood Poet' " . Rap-Up . Retrieved July 31, 2024 .
^ Cummings-Grady, Mackenzie (August 16, 2023). "Polo G Channels Frank Ocean With 24-Hour Livestream Ahead of 'Hood Poet' Album" . HipHopDX . Retrieved September 15, 2023 .
^ Callas, Brad (August 18, 2023). "Polo G Reveals He's Considering Retiring From Rap After Upcoming 'Hood Poet' Album" . Complex Magazine . Retrieved August 9, 2024 .
^ Ellington, Andre (August 18, 2023). "Polo G Hints At Retirement After 'Hood Poet' Album: 'This Rap Sh-t Got So Lame' " . HipHopDX . Retrieved July 31, 2024 .
^ "Rapper brothers Polo G and Trench Baby arrested after Chatsworth raid prompted by robbery" . Los Angeles Times . August 24, 2023. Retrieved August 9, 2024 .
^ Jones, Alexis (August 23, 2023). "Rapper Polo G Arrested During Police Raid at His Home in Los Angeles" . People . Retrieved August 9, 2024 .
^ Haring, Bruce (August 24, 2023). "Rapping Brothers Polo G And Trench Baby Facing Criminal Charges After Police Raid" . Deadline Hollywood . Retrieved August 9, 2024 .
^ Elibert, Mark (September 9, 2023). "Polo G Pushes Back New Album Following Arrests, Says Delay Won't Affect Tour Schedule" . Complex Magazine . Retrieved September 15, 2023 .
^ "Polo G 'Hood Poet' Album Coming in August, Doesn't Want to String Along Fans" . TMZ . January 5, 2024. Retrieved July 31, 2024 .
^ Horvath, Zachary (March 25, 2024). "Polo G Gives Emotional Performance On From The Block Track "Heavy Heart" " . HotNewHipHop . Retrieved August 9, 2024 .
^ Blake, Cole (July 30, 2024). "Polo G Announces New Album, "Hood Poet," With Star-Studded Feature List" . HotNewHipHop . Retrieved July 31, 2024 .
^ Pointer, Flisadam (July 30, 2024). "Polo G's Album'Hood Poet' Finally Has An Official Release Date" . Uproxx . Retrieved July 31, 2024 .
^ Pointer, Flisadam (August 6, 2024). "Polo G's 'Hood Poet' Tracklist Recruits Future, Lil Durk, GloRilla, And More For The Long Awaited Album" . Uproxx . Retrieved August 9, 2024 .
^ Williams, Aaron (August 9, 2024). "Polo G Goes To The 'Darkside' In His Confessional New Video From 'HOOD POET' " . Uproxx . Retrieved August 9, 2024 .
^ Chang, Hansel (May 27, 2022). "Polo G Teases Upcoming Song "Distraction" on Instagram" . Hypebeast . Retrieved May 13, 2023 .
^ Helfand, Raphael (June 3, 2022). "Watch the video for Polo G's new song, "Distraction" " . The Fader . Retrieved September 13, 2023 .
^ a b "Polo G Chart History: Hot 100" . Billboard . Retrieved September 13, 2023 .
^ Breihan, Tom (August 18, 2023). "Polo G – "Barely Holdin' On" " . Stereogum . Retrieved August 19, 2023 .
^ Castro, Danilo (May 31, 2024). "Polo G Gets Reflective On Hard-Hitting Single "Angels In The Sky" " . HotNewHipHop . Retrieved July 31, 2024 .
^ Williams, Aaron (May 31, 2024). "Polo G's Past Lives Meet In The Reflective 'Angels In The Sky' Video" . Uproxx . Retrieved July 31, 2024 .
^ Saponara, Michael (July 30, 2024). "Polo G Announces Hood Poet Album Featuring Future, GloRilla & The Kid LAROI" . Billboard . Retrieved July 31, 2024 .
^ "Ultratop.be – Polo G – Hood Poet" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved August 18, 2024.
^ "Polo G Chart History (Canadian Albums)" . Billboard . Retrieved August 20, 2024.
^ "Polo G Chart History (Billboard 200)" . Billboard . Retrieved August 20, 2024.
^ "Polo G Chart History (Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums)" . Billboard . Retrieved August 20, 2024.
Studio albums Deluxe albums Singles Featured singles Other songs