Chicago, Illinois rapper, singer/songwriter & record executive Polo G returning for his 5th LP. Rising to prominence in 2019 off his debut album Die a Legend which I personally found it to be decent, it wasn’t until the sophomore effort The GOAT the subsequent spring where I noticed some significant improvements. Hall of Fame & it’s sequel on the contrary were both released to mixed reception in 201 & is looking to redeem himself as the H.O.O.D. P.O.E.T. or He Overcame Obstacles During Pain Or Emotional Trauma.
“God’s Favorite” was a decently thunderous trap opener produced by Nick Papz & Allen Ritter starting us off letting us know that’s exactly what he’s feeling like right now whereas “No Recruits” featuring G Herbo has a stronger instrumental that Southside & Smatt Sertified cook up together going Chicago drill telling us how wicked it gets in Chiraq. “Barely Holdin’ On” with co-production from former G.O.O.D. Music in-house producer Noah Goldstein & unfortunately Dr. Luke was a emo pop rap fusion that goes over decently, but then the cloudy/trap crossover “Only Gang” featuring 42 Dugg talks about not fucking with these newer guys.
Fridayy gives “Same Me” a moodier feeling reassuring everyone that he’s still the same guy as he was when he first blew up leading into the twangy trap vibes of “Detox” talking about falling in love with the Glock & needing to do exactly that after taking in too much fake love in recent years. “Thorns” has a catchier trap flare generally needing a light for his dark soul just before “G63” featuring Offset heading for a psychedelic direction pullin’ up jumpin’ out the titular whip.
“We Uh Shoot” featuring Lil Durk fusing gangsta rap & trap together reaffirming that both of them stay carrying sticks while “Rain Fallin’” featuring The Kid Laroi stands as one of the weaker moments on the album further embracing the emo influences from earlier although Kid Laroi’s take on it still rubs off as tacky. “Distraction” picks things back up with what I thought was an incredible lead single from the acoustic trap production to Polo calling out those discrediting his talent & “No Turning Back” featuring Hunxho cavernously explains making it this far.
Easily the weakest single of the rollout has to be “Angels in the Sky” due to it’s horrendous mixing, which is a shame because the overall theme of it comes from a good place & “Darkside” once again makes up for it this time by telling us his mental state in 2020 when both installments of the Hall of Fame series came over pianos & hi-hats. “Bad Kids” featuring Glorilla keeps the keys together swapping the hi-hats out in favor of 808s telling us who they hung around growing up while “Survival of the Fittest” featuring Future goes drill saying that’s what it’s like in the trenches.
“Father’s Day” nears the final moments of H.O.O.D. P.O.E.T. (He Overcame Obstacles During Pain Or Emotional Trauma) with Cubeatz helping Allen Ritter & Southside provide a delicate trap atmosphere serving as an open letter to Polo’s own father knowing that he’s forever here for him that is until “From the Heart” ends Polo’s return-to-form hopping over a roomy beat telling the world that from this point forward, he’s only writing songs if it comes from the heart rather than ego. I even like the reference to the greatest WWE superstar ever; Hall of Famer, 7-time world champion & 7-time tag team champion & WWE Hardcore Champion The Undertaker.
Right when people had already started assuming he had fallen off, Polo G returns to the fore with more life experience & rededicated to spitting about what he knows best: unflinching narratives of pain & pleasure, hood parables & romantic woes. The production has gradually improved from the 2 offerings from 4 years ago, most of the features nailed their contributions & Polo’s own versatility game has gradually stepped up.
Score: 3.5/5
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Legends Will Never Die 