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).
Hood Poet | ||||
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Studio album by | ||||
Released | August 9, 2024 | |||
Recorded | 2021–2024 | |||
Studio | Lion Share Studios | |||
Length | 49:54 | |||
Label | Columbia | |||
Producer |
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Polo G chronology | ||||
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Singles from Hood Poet | ||||
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Review scores | |
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Source | Rating |
RapReviews | 7/10[1] |
Slant Magazine | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
The album was supported by four official singles: "Distraction", "Barely Holdin' On", "Angels in the Sky", and "We Uh Shoot" featuring Lil Durk.
Release and promotion
editOriginally, 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]
Singles
editOn 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
editNo. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|---|
1. | "God's Favorite" |
| 2:12 | |
2. | "No Recruits" (featuring G Herbo) |
|
| 3:02 |
3. | "Barely Holdin' On" |
| 2:53 | |
4. | "Only Gang" (featuring 42 Dugg) |
|
| 3:12 |
5. | "Same Me" (featuring Fridayy) |
|
| 2:43 |
6. | "Detox" |
|
| 2:22 |
7. | "Thorns" |
|
| 3:05 |
8. | "G63" (featuring Offset) |
|
| 2:46 |
9. | "We Uh Shoot" (featuring Lil Durk) |
|
| 2:33 |
10. | "Rain Fallin" (featuring the Kid Laroi) |
|
| 3:01 |
11. | "Distraction" |
|
| 2:51 |
12. | "No Turning Back" (featuring Hunxho) |
|
| 3:08 |
13. | "Angels in the Sky" |
|
| 2:42 |
14. | "Darkside" |
|
| 2:53 |
15. | "Bad Kids" (featuring GloRilla) |
| Twysted Genius | 2:36 |
16. | "Survival of the Fittest" (featuring Future) |
|
| 2:55 |
17. | "Father's Day" |
|
| 2:42 |
18. | "From the Heart" |
|
| 2:18 |
Total length: | 49:54 |
Notes
Personnel
editMusicians
- Polo G – vocals (all tracks)
- G Herbo – vocals (2)
- 42 Dugg – vocals (4)
- Fridayy – vocals (5)
- Offset – vocals (8)
- Lil Durk – vocals (9)
- The Kid Laroi – vocals (10)
- Hunxho – vocals (12)
- GloRilla – vocals (15)
- Future – vocals (16)
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
editChart (2024) | Peak position |
---|---|
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders)[29] | 190 |
Canadian Albums (Billboard)[30] | 64 |
US Billboard 200[31] | 28 |
US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard)[32] | 6 |
Release history
editRegion | Date | Label(s) | Format(s) | Edition(s) | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Various | August 9, 2024 | Columbia | Standard | [4] |
References
edit- ^ 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.