Chi-Town rapper Polo G was prepping for the long-awaited release of his fourht album, but the celebratory energy was swiftly quenched when Polo was arrested earlier this week in NYC for criminal possession of a weapon in the second and third degree, according to reports.
Police from NYPD’s 1st Precinct received a call that a handgun was found in The Dominick Hotel by one of the employees in an occupied room. Officers were able to confirm that Polo, whose real name is Taurus Bartlett, ws the occupant in the room and the firearm retrieved was registered in his name.
Manhattan District Attorney’s Office executed a search warrant for the hotel room and found a loaded Glock 23 firearm inside the bedroom side of the hotel room.
NYPD arrested Polo and charged him with with Criminal Possession of a Weapon in both the 2nd and 3rd degree.
It was reported that Polo was carrying more that $23K on his person at the time of his arrest.
Things have been really rough this past year for Polo, with Polo’s catching a separate gun charge and his brother Trench Baby was arrested for murder in California November of last year.
According to New York’s PIX11, Polo G was arrested on gun charges on April 10 at The Dominick Hotel in Manhattan, according to the New York Police Department. A search warrant was executed at the hotel and the rapper was charged with criminal possession of a weapon and possession of a loaded firearm.
The New York Post reports a maid who was cleaning the room found the gun, a Glock. Police were then called to the hotel and found the gun on a loveseat. There was a bullet in the chamber and nine in the magazine.
In a plea for no bail, Polo G’s attorney Stacey Richman said, “This man is 100% serious in terms of his work, in terms of his professionalism. He has absolutely no incentive to flee because he has a career he’s built.”
The rapper was arraigned in Manhattan Criminal Court and hit with a $25,000 cash bail, which he posted. His next court date is June 4, where he’ll be allowed to appear virtually.
Meanwhile, the rapper is currently preparing to release a new album, Hood Poet. The project was originally set to drop in September 2023, but Polo ultimately ended up deciding to delay the project, saying, “I’mma be postponing my album drop ’til further notice. Just getting back on track from a minor setback… it’ll be worth the wait. I promise.”
It’s not easy being a superstar. The emotional and physical toll it can have on a person is unclear until it’s too late, which is something fans have seen debilitate dozens of their favorite artists. Polo G was on track to become a household name, but the spotlight proved to be too bright. He took a step back for the sake of his mental health and the well-being of his family. The rapper talked about his monumental decision during a recent interview with Kurrco.
Polo G didn’t mince words when it came to his reasoning for taking a break. “I feel like I took a three year break after being scorching hot,” the rapper told Kurrco. He noted that the multi-year break was not an intentional one, as he was forced to navigate a lot of personal situations, but that it ultimately proved to be something he needed. Polo G also admitted that he found it difficult to stop making music, since it had been the driving force in his life up to that point. “That’s like my baby,” he admitted. “I always want to be in tune and connected with my fans.”
Polo G considered this hiatus the hardest thing he’s had to do. “That s**t really f***ed with my mental, a lot,” he asserted. The rapper’s desire to open up in a public space was only made possible, however, by his decision to get back in the game. “Everything that I did accomplish, I don’t feel like it’s enough,” he added. “Everybody want me to prove myself.” The interview ends with the interviewer joking about all that Polo has accomplished. “Even with 14 cars in the driveway?!” he asks, before both parties start laughing.
Polo G’s comeback is already underway. The rapper has announced plans to release Hood Poet in August 2024. The album has been in the works for several years, with the lead single, “Distraction”, dropping way back in June 2022. The single peaked at number 39 on the Billboard Hot 100, which is impressive for most but underwhelming for a rapper with a number one hit under his belt. It’s time for Polo to prove that he’s still got what it takes to excel.
Polo G is one of those rappers who is in a weird spot in his career. The Chicago, Illinois multi-talented product has put out some of the bigger hits of the late 2010s. But for most people, his style is becoming stale. Everything down to the flows, production, and topical focus, what made him pop off is not hitting the same anymore. Hopefully, Polo G can continue to win listeners back with “Heavy Heart.”
This track comes courtesy of the YouTube channel 4 Shooters Only. They are known for their hit series From The Block, which sees your favorite artists rap passionately in random locations. In this case, Polo G is performing “Heavy Heart” at his gorgeous home with rows of expensive cars. Fun fact, DDG, YouTuber and fellow rapper, recently filmed a vlog for his channel and he and Polo G took a look around at his “$3 million” car collection.
For Polo G, “Heavy Heart” is not the only time he has collaborated with 4 Shooters Only. From what we can find, this is his second appearance. His last time on the channel was for “Diaries Of A Solder / Luh Da Raq” about a year ago. Interestingly though, neither of his three offerings have become streaming releases. For now, the only release in “Sorrys & Ferraris,” which dropped on February 16. HOOD POET, the next rumored project, still does not have a solid date yet, so who knows when that will happen.
What are your thoughts on this brand-new song, “Heavy Heart,” by Polo G? Do you think he should release this performance as a single, why or why not? Is this one of his better offerings as of late, why or why not? Do you think an album is on the way soon? We would like to hear what you have to say, so be sure to leave your takes in the comments section. Additionally, always keep it locked in with HNHH for all of the latest news surrounding Polo G. Finally, stay with us for the most informative song posts throughout the week.
Quotable Lyrics:
I’m the hottest in this s***, even in the snowin’ winter From them Chiraq streets, land of the coldest killers Had a late blossom, now they can’t stop him They barely show love to me, still fix they problems Got murderin’ thugs with me, walk up, face shot ’em Feel better with drugs in me to help face trauma
Polo G has put some distance between himself and his last album, 2021’s Hall Of Fame, and as he prepares to release his first new album in three years with Hood Poet, the Chicago rapper takes one last look in the rearview with its first single, “Sorrys & Ferraris.” While he reflects on when he “used to chase a bag on that curb,” he celebrates the fact that his “life is like a party now.”
Naturally, the video sees Polo commandeer a fleet of the titular sports cars, which race down the roadway as scenes from Polo’s party life play out. In addition to burning rubber on the asphalt, he’s seen beaches, birthdays, private jets, and more. There’s also a good look at his unique iPhone chain. The Arrad-directed video is simple but effective, as befits the rapper’s low-key personality.
Although Hood Poet was initially scheduled for a September release last year, Polo held off on dropping the album. “I’mma be postponing my album drop ’til further notice,” he explained in a message to fans on social media. “Just getting back on track from a minor setback… it’ll be worth the wait. I promise.” And while he characterized the cause of the delay as a “minor setback,” if it was related at all to his arrest last year on kidnapping, robbery, and assault charges, it doesn’t sound like that setback was so minor. However, it looks like things are back on track, as he told TMZ he’s looking forward to an August release for Hood Poet.
The search party to track Polo G’s whereabouts can officially be called off. Firstly, the “Barely Holdin’ On” rapper was spotted attending Uproxx’s 2024 GrammysThe Labels Brunch, in partnership with Verve Records. However, there are still a few lingering questions from supporters.
Why was Polo G’s album Hood Poet delayed? When will Hood Poet officially drop? What’s next for Polo G? Well, thanks to Polo G’s latest post on Instagram, the public now knows the latter. According to the upload, this Friday, February 16, Polo G is back to business as usual with a new single titled “Sorrys & Ferraris.”
“Everybody say they sorrys now [black heart emoji],” he wrote. “S&F [out on] 2/16.”
It is unclear if this upcoming record will restart Polo G’s album rollout schedule. This song could just be a loosie to hold his famished fans, to which they will gladly nibble. But after some digging, it appears that the expected release date has been updated on Apple Music’s pre-save page for Hood Poet. The new date under the highly anticipated album is August 2. Still, Polo G hasn’t seemed to confirm this on any of his social media pages.
Apple Music
So, for now, Polo G fans will have to hold out until February 16 for more details.
“Sorrys & Ferraris” is out 2/16 via Sony. Find more information here.
As the 2024 Grammy weekend unfolded, a fusion of music royalty, industry executives, and rising stars converged at an exclusive Beverly Hills penthouse for an event that will undoubtedly linger in the memory of attendees and fans alike. Hosted by the dynamic trio of G-Herbo, Polo G., and Hotblock JMoe, ‘The Labels Brunch’ brought together an eclectic mix of talent, energy, and surprises, painting an unforgettable portrait of the current hip-hop landscape.
The scene was set atop a luxurious rooftop, offering panoramic views of the sprawling city below. The exclusive gathering unfolded, with a buzzing red carpet welcoming guests into the lavish atmosphere. G-Herbo, a magnetic presence on and off the stage, commanded attention on the red carpet, exuding charisma and style. Alongside him, Polo G. and Hotblock JMoe immersed themselves in the festivities, joined by a constellation of fellow artists, industry insiders, and VIPs.
Too Short Shows Up
Among the many highlights that punctuated the afternoon, one unexpected moment stole the spotlight: the surprise appearance of Oakland’s own, Too Short. As he took the stage, the crowd erupted into applause, stunned by the cameo from the hip-hop legend.
While the dice table beckoned with its promise of excitement, Hotblock JMoe took the opportunity to tease fans with a preview of his upcoming music, adding an extra layer of anticipation to the event. The atmosphere crackled with creativity and camaraderie as artists mingled, exchanged ideas, and celebrated the vibrant tapestry of hip-hop culture.
https://www.instagram.com/p/C3EEaamuinE/
If one were to encapsulate the essence of the evening in a headline, it would undoubtedly read: “G-Herbo and Polo G headline stunning event.” Their magnetic presence, coupled with the surprises elevated ‘The Labels Brunch’ to a league of its own, leaving an indelible mark on the 2024 Grammy weekend and beyond.
Grammys Week is always a chaotic time in Los Angeles. In addition to preparations for the “Biggest Night In Music,” it’s a time when all the producers, managers, writers, publicists, assistants, and A&Rs finally come together in one place to catch up and plot the year ahead at a host of gatherings, from exclusive listening events to rooftop brunches — like The Labels Brunch, hosted by Uproxx and Velcro Records at the Remington in Beverly Hills and produced by Powerhouse Agency.
Taking over the stately penthouse, the Labels Brunch brought together a collection of some of music’s hottest up-and-coming acts for drinks, food, music, casino games, and the premiere of the music video for “To The Grave,” a new single from Polo G with G Herbo and Velcro Records artist HotBlock Jmoe. Also in attendance were rising stars like Backwood Brat, Domani, Fresco Trey, Kalan.FrFr, Journey Montana, MAF Teeski, Smiley, Tyla Yaweh, and YK Osiris, as well as rap pioneers like Too Short and Erick Sermon.
The brunch continued until well after sunset, as guests enjoyed some of LA’s finest catering courtesy of the Goldwing Group and DJ sets provided by Red Cup Nation. Special thanks go to Last Wave Entertainment, August Shore, Happy Dad, Fire, and Don Londres. Check out photos and videos from the Labels Brunch below.
Rappers are plenty willing to buy nice things for themselves and that’s extra true when it comes to jewelry. The push for more elaborate and expensive jewelry in rap goes back decades and still has plenty of participants. But that doesn’t mean rappers don’t occasionally flex their generosity. It’s common to see artists share videos of gifts they get for friends and family members. But if the present is elaborate enough sometimes they’ll even flex what they’re getting for each other.
Over the weekend, rapper Polo G will turn 25 and he’s already out celebrating. In a new video making the rounds online, his friend and fellow rapper Lil Tjay gives him a special birthday gift. It’s a Patek watch and one that Polo is clearly a big fan of given his reaction. In the comments, the fans shout out both rappers for sticking together despite their respective breakthroughs. “It’s dope to still see them cool, coming in the game together young and still going up together is rare considering they’re not a duo,” the top comment on the post reads. Check out the video of Polo G getting his birthday gift below.
Earlier this year, Lil Tjay returned with his new album 222. It’s his first new project since 2021’s Destined 2 Win. The album contains hits like “Project Walls,” with NBA Youngboy, “2 Grown,” with The Kid LAROI, and “June 22nd.” The album also features appearances from Summer Walker, Fivio Foreign, Jadakiss, Coco Jones, and of course Polo G.
A few weeks ago Lil Tjay shared his appreciation for the holiday season. He teamed up with Fivio Foreign to share a drill take on the festive classic “Last Christmas.” The short song racked up nearly two million views on YouTube across the holiday season and likely got slipped surprisingly into some holiday playlists. What do you think of Lil Tjay getting Polo G a Patek for his 25th birthday? Let us know in the comment section below.
Anybody who thought the vinyl resurgence was just a fad was mistaken: The industry has experienced a legitimate revival. As a result, music fans are interested in physical media in ways they may not have if the decades-old medium hasn’t made a comeback. That doesn’t mean everybody is listening to just their parents’ old music, though. That’s part of it, sure, thanks to rereleases that present classic albums in new ways. A vital part of the renewed vinyl wave, though, is new projects being released as records, of which there are plenty.
Whatever you might be into, each month brings a new slew of vinyl releases that has something for everybody. Some stand out above the rest, naturally, so check out some of our favorite vinyl releases of November below.
Snoop Dogg (who’s still smoking weed, by the way) is celebrating 30 years of his iconic debut album, Doggystyle, with a new reissue. This is a cool one, too: Aside from being available in a number of color variants, it features “Gz Up Hoes Down,” which was exclusively available on the album’s initial 100,000 units in 1993, making it sought after.
The Beatles — 1962-1966 (‘The Red Album’) and 1967-1970 (‘The Blue Album’)
Apple Corps Ltd/Capitol/UMe
“Now And Then” is the headlining new Beatles release of the year, but the legendary group also delivered some compelling reissues of two classic compilation albums. The new versions of the collections come with expanded tracklists (which includes “Now And Then”), all pressed on bold-colored, semi-translucent vinyl with stereo mixes. And if you just want the new (and final) Beatles song on vinyl, don’t worry, that’s also available in multiple formats.
The Beths – Expert In A Dying Field (Bandbox Exclusive)
Bandbox
If you’re not following what Bandbox is doing in the vinyl space, you better get on board. The Minneapolis-based company is announcing exclusive pressings and zines from a variety of artists on a weekly basis, and our favorite of their recent announcements is this lovely pink and green pressing of The Beths’ killer Expert In A Dying Field. It’s available for pre-order now, as well as recently announced offerings from the likes of Braid and Grizzly Bear.
Various Artists — Barbie The Album (VMP Designer Edition) and Barbie The Album (VMP Kendom Edition)
Vinyl Me, Please
Barbie was the movie of the year, but it had the soundtrack of the year, too. Given that Barbie as a brand has been a merchandising titan for decades now, the vinyl editions of the soundtrack are packed with goodies, and they come in both Designer and Kendom flavors via our friends at Vinyl Me, Please.
As part of Record Store Day’s Black Friday celebration earlier this month, Legacy Recordings dropped a series of reissues. It’s hard to call their Polo G offering a reissue, though: They pressed Die A Legend on “black ice” colored vinyl, which is actually the first time the multi-platinum album has ever been available on vinyl. So, if this is one you’ve been waiting to put on your turntable, you finally can.
Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab is in the midst of a very cool reissue series with LA icons Van Halen, and the self-titled debut is a great place to start. The company describes the restoration process as “painstaking,” mastered from the original analog tapes onto MoFi’s supervinyl. When you turn up “Running With The Devil” and “Eruption” to their max volume, you’ll be hearing Eddie’s trademark guitar as well as ever.
Public Enemy — It Takes A Nation Of Millions To Hold Us Back (35th Anniversary Edition)
UMe
It Takes A Nation Of Millions To Hold Us Back is an iconic release in early hip-hop history, and this year, it celebrates 35 trips around the sun. Now there’s a 4LP reissue that comes with new liner notes via Chuck D, Flavor Flav, Q-Tip, and Questlove, quite the foursome offering insight on an important hip-hop milestone.
Explosions In The Sky — Those Who Tell The Truth Shall Die, Those Who Tell The Truth Shall Live Forever (Anniversary Edition) and The Earth Is Not A Cold Dead Place (Anniversary Edition)
Temporary Residence Ltd
Post-rock mainstays Explosions In The Sky are reissuing two of their most classic pieces of early work, and this is actually the first time either LP is available on colored vinyl. Both colorings do a terrific job at highlighting the distinct album cover art, and the albums have been remastered for this release, too.
Ten was a huge debut album for Pearl Jam, and they crushed it with its follow-up, Ten, too: It was their first No. 1 album and it hung into that top spot for five weeks. It’s been 30 years since that album dropped, and now Eddie Vedder and company are reissuing it in a number of different configurations; Pictured above is the 2LP “dreamsicle” configuration available via the band’s Ten Club, while other editions are available elsewhere.
Up was a turning point for R.E.M., as the group’s 11th album saw them without their founding drummer, Bill Berry, for the first time. It’s already been 25 years since then, so they’ve given the album a fresh coat of paint with a new remaster of the LP, and the band also has T-shirts and other cool merch to complement your vinyl purchase.
Social Distortion — Mommy’s Little Monster (40th Anniversary Reissue)
Craft Recordings
Mommy’s Little Monster, Social Distortion’s 40-year-old debut album, can now be yours via some pretty neat vinyl reissues. The album has been remastered from the original analog tapes, and there’s also a variety of limited-edition colorways to choose from, all of which are lovely.
Daft Punk — Random Access Memories (Drumless Edition)
Columbia
Random Access Memories is a classic of its era, but it sounds completely different if you get rid of the drums. That’s something Daft Punk wanted to explore with a new “Drumless Edition” of the 2013 album. Aside from being a new way to experience this awesome project, the stark white cover art is just so, so clean.
In his review of Victor, Uproxx’s Aaron Williams wrote, “Victor gives listeners exactly what it says on the tin: A holistic look at an artist who’s come into his own at last. Vic had to go through everything he did to mature enough as an artist to synthesize those experiences into an honest, unfiltered summation of himself. This is his real autobiography — it was worth the wait.” Now, it’s available to spin at home, and includes an option for a signed copy.
Dylan’s 1978 world tour were his first international shows since 1966, making them a special event for those audiences. The run included his first appearances in Japan, and now we have a deluxe box set that chronicles two full shows recorded at Tokyo’s Nippon Budokan Hall on February 28 and March 1, 1978. Ultimately, there are 36 previously unreleased recordings here, making it a must for hardcore Dylan fans. Check out Steven Hyden’s review of the collection, and look below for your own physical copy.
