Polo G: The Life and Rise of a Young Rap Prodigy

Introduction

Taurus Tremani Bartlett, known professionally as Polo G, is an American rapper who has swiftly risen to become one of the most promising young talents in hip hop today. Born on January 6, 1999 in Chicago, Illinois, Polo G cultivated his distinctive style and gritty street narratives growing up in the city‘s South Side. Driven by emotive lyricism and catchy melodies, Polo G has resonated with fans worldwide, accruing over 15 million Instagram followers and 8 billion global streams by just 23 years old. This blog takes a closer look at Polo G‘s background, musical journey, influences, and meteoric rise to success.

Early Life and Upbringing in Chicago

Polo G was born and raised in the South Side of Chicago, Illinois, residing in the Eastside neighborhood, specifically St. Lawrence Avenue. Polo G grew up surrounded by street violence and the drug epidemic ravaging Chicago at the time.

Despite struggling with poverty and traumatic events, Polo G discovered solace in music and poetry, writing his first lyrics at just 12 years old. He derived inspiration from Chicago rap pioneers like G Herbo, Lil Bibby, and King Louie.

During high school, Polo G began recording songs and posting them online under the name "Polo Capalot." His early tracks like "Relentless" and "Laughin To The Bank" reflected on his adverse upbringing. He eventually shortened his stage name to just Polo G.

Early Musical Journey

Even as a teenager, Polo G displayed a sharp lyrical ability beyond his years. His 2017 single "Finer Things" first generated buzz in the underground Chicago rap scene. The song exemplified Polo G‘s signature style – slick flows paired with vulnerable songwriting.

Polo G began releasing more singles like "Gang With Me" and "Neva Cared" that blended gritty drill rap with his soulful melodic vocals. In February 2018, Polo G independently dropped his first mixtape, The Neva Cared Mixtape.

The 13-track project demonstrated Polo G‘s dexterity as a rapper-singer and his gift for articulating struggle and adversity in his community. Songs like "Battle Cry" and "Hollywood" reflected on Chicago‘s stark dichotomy of violence and luxury.

Rise to Prominence

Polo G‘s career reached new heights with the release of his breakout mixtape, Die a Legend in June 2019. Fueled by the smash single "Pop Out" featuring Lil Tjay, the album debuted at #6 on the Billboard 200 chart, gaining widespread acclaim.

Die a Legend gave deeper insight into Polo G‘s world growing up in Chicago‘s underserved communities. His vulnerable storytelling resonated strongly with fans, prompting comparisons to Kendrick Lamar.

Following this success, Polo G signed a record deal with Columbia Records in January 2020. In May 2020, he released his major-label debut The Goat. The album showcased Polo G‘s artistic growth, incorporating 90s hip hop, poetry, and soul influences.

Lead single “Martin & Gina" and tracks like “Epidemic” and “Heartless” continued illustrating adversity in his community with maturity and nuance. The Goat debuted at #2 on the Billboard 200, propelling Polo to stardom. The album later earned a 2021 Grammy nomination for Best Rap Album.

Musical Style & Influences

Polo G has cited Lil Durk, Kendrick Lamar, and Meek Mill as some of his biggest influences. His style seamlessly fuses together melodic R&B vocals and astute lyrical raps. Polo G also has a gift for candid storytelling, reflecting on coming-of-age struggles in his hometown.

Beyond rapping, Polo G is also involved in songwriting and production. His beats draw inspiration from old-school hip hop, soul, and even drill music. Polo G’s emotive delivery and vulnerable themes allow fans to deeply relate to his messages.

While elevated into stardom, Polo G still remains dedicated to uplifting his Chicago community. He runs an initiative called Capital GRIND focused on providing literacy programs, job training, and more for Chicago youth.

Mainstream Success & Notable Achievements

Despite just a handful of releases, Polo G has achieved unprecedented success and become a hip hop heavyweight. Notable achievements include:

• 15 million+ Instagram followers
• Multiple singles with 300 million+ Spotify streams
• First #1 album on Billboard 200 (Hall of Fame, 2021)
• RIAA platinum single “Rapstar” (2022)
• Over 8 billion total worldwide streams
• Toured nationwide with Juice WRLD

At just 23 years old, Polo G has impacted rap music and carried on Chicago’s rich cultural heritage. With his authenticity and lyrical brilliance, there are no limits to how far his career will continue rising.

5 Interesting Facts About Polo G

1. Real Name: His birth name is Taurus Tremani Bartlett
2. Grammy Nod: Earned 2021 Grammy nomination for Best Rap Album
3. Ambidextrous: Polo G can rap equally well in lefty and righty flows
4. Creative Outlet: He loves drawing and painting in his free time
5. Youngest Sibling: Polo G is the youngest of three siblings

The Future is Bright for Polo G

In just a few prolific years, Polo G has risen from rapping on Chicago street corners to becoming a youthful voice defining the new generation of melodic rap. With his raw emotion, inhibiting flows, and cinematic beats, Polo G has resonated with millions of devoted fans.

At only 24 years old, Polo G is just getting started. His momentum and trajectory suggest huge moves still to come. As he works on his highly anticipated third album, the future looks extremely promising for one of music’s brightest rising talents. Polo G has proven he has both the talent and perseverance to become an icon in his own right.