Polo G’s debut studio album, Die a Legend, released in June 2019, marking the Chicago rapper’s entry into the mainstream hip-hop scene. Following the success of his breakout single Pop Out, expectations were high for the then 20-year-old artist. On the other hand, my personal expectations couldn’t have been lower as a then teenage listener who had only recently discovered that the world of music existed outside of my parents’ radio. Having found Pop Out on YouTube and becoming instantly obsessed, I decided to listen to this record top to bottom upon its release, providing me with a formative introduction to the illustrious history of Chicago rap.
When I sat down to listen to this album once again, many of the tracks that I had cherished as a teenager hit just as hard now, including personal favourites like Through Da Storm and Finer Things. Unfortunately though, the flaws on this record are sadly much more pronounced when I listen now than when I first listened to Polo’s debut in the summer of 2019.
That being said, while the album didn’t quite reach the revolutionary heights of some of his contemporaries, it did showcase Polo’s potential and established him as a noteworthy voice in the crowded field of melodic rap. On his debut LP the Chicago rapper delivers us 14 tracks that blend street narratives with introspective moments, primarily set against a backdrop of piano-driven beats that, while atmospheric, can border on monotonous.
The album opens strong with Lost Files, where Polo demonstrates his rapid-fire delivery and sharp lyricism. However, the track also reveals an issue that occasionally rears its head on some of the more rapid cuts throughout: breath control. Sharp inhalations between bars occasionally disrupt the flow, pulling listeners out of the experience.
Pop Out, Polo’s now 6x platinum certified single that features Lil Tjay, stands as one of the album’s highlights. Here, Polo perfects his formula of mellow piano beats, street-life bars, and an infectious hook. The chemistry between Polo and Tjay is evident, with the latter’s boyish auto-tuned delivery providing a refreshing contrast. An alternative version, Pop Out Again, featuring Lil Baby and Gunna, brings star-power to the album and serves as the record’s bonus track, though the original arguably holds more charm.
Polo G shines brightest when he allows vulnerability to seep into his lyrics. Through Da Storm is a standout track, with Polo delving into his childhood and the transition from poverty to success. The emotional chorus, touching on his family’s unwavering support through jail time and setbacks, is one of the strongest on the record. The spoken-word intro from his baby sister adds an extra layer of poignancy.
Similarly, Chosen 1 sees Polo delivering heartfelt lines about his relationships with an ex-girlfriend and his late family member, Maxine. The strings in the production complement the emotional tone, offering a welcome respite from the piano-dominated beats that dominate much of the album.
However, the reliance on similar piano-heavy production throughout much of Die a Legend leads to a sense of sameness that plagues tracks like Dyin Breed, Effortless, and BST. While Polo’s lyrics often touch on personal topics, the lack of sonic variety can make it challenging for individual tracks to stand out.
The album does offer moments of production diversity. A King’s Nightmare closes the record with a haunting, bass-heavy beat contrasted by high-pitched wails, creating an unsettling atmosphere that matches Polo’s introspective bars. Here, he questions whether the cycle of violence and poverty he grew up in can ever truly be broken, providing a fitting conclusion to the album’s themes.
Lyrically, Polo G’s story is genuinely inspiring, detailing his journey from the trenches to musical success. However, many of the lyrics feel derivative, and Polo often struggles to maintain a consistent theme within individual tracks and even verses, jumping from topic to topic.
Despite these issues, there are glimpses of Polo G’s potential throughout Die a Legend. Tracks like Finer Things showcase his ability to craft melodic flows, while Battle Cry and Last Strike offer more personal narratives about the challenges of fame and changing relationships.
Die a Legend is a debut that demonstrated Polo G’s raw talent and potential, but also highlighted areas where for him to grow as an artist. The consistent piano-driven production, while creating a cohesive atmosphere, often leads to a lack of sonic variety. Polo’s delivery, while generally strong, is occasionally marred by breath control issues.
However, when Polo allows himself to be vulnerable and personal in his lyrics, he creates truly engaging moments. His ability to create infectious, melodic hooks as well as hard-hitting, personal bars about the struggles of his adolescence set Polo up as an artist to watch in mainstream hip-hop, right from his debut.
Unfortunately, the issues with Die A Legend continued to mar Polo’s records, causing increasing online criticism of his occasionally repetitive style. In part as a result of this, Polo has neglected to drop a full-length project since he released his 2021 album, Hall of Fame, opting instead to focus on his growing family, while maintaining his presence through the release of occasional singles and guest appearances.
Despite not being revolutionary, Die a Legend was a solid entry point into the melodic rap genre, showcasing Polo G’s potential and establishing him as an artist capable of crafting hard-hitting narratives as well as catchy radio hits. The album’s strengths in storytelling and emotional honesty are sometimes held back by conventional production and occasional lapses into genre clichés, resulting in a promising, if not groundbreaking, debut.
This album is good, 5.5/10.
Theo Aveline 