A motivated return to emotional rap, even if it doesn’t fully push his sound forward.
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TOP 5 SONGS
5. Chinatown Pt 2
Every Chinatown in America has these three things: Good food, bad-ass teenagers running around, and shaky activity.
The production on “Chinatown Pt. 2” leans into a dark, cinematic mood, feeling like the soundtrack to a scene where someone needs fresh air after hearing their homie got shot. Over the dramatic backdrop, Polo G raps about always being prepared for conflict, staying loyal to the people he came up with, and keeping protection close. The subject matter stays rooted in the original’s street-focused lens while adding a layer of reflection.
What really makes the track stand out is how Polo shifts between sounding emotionally worn down and snapping into aggressive, battle-ready bars. That contrast creates a constant push and pull, making the song feel like it’s living in two emotional spaces at once. The chorus, too, is flawless, tying everything together with impact and clarity.
4. High Tolerance
Isn’t killing someone who dissed your hood a little overkill?
“High Tolerance” is built on an emotional trap beat anchored by lonely guitar strings, heavy bass, and a perfectly paced tempo. It lulls you into a somber headspace at first, then the bass drops and completely kicks your ass. Over the production, Polo G balances his melodic, almost melancholic flow with flashes of grit, painting a raw picture of street life defined by loyalty, retaliation, and survival. More than any other track on the album, this feels like the most genuine version of Polo.
3. Hard Body
Polo G makes it sound like he had to overcome harder levels than Super Mario out there.
In “Hard Body,” Polo G reflects on grief, street trauma, and betrayal, presenting an artist shaped by loss and violence while chasing survival and stability in a world that never offered either. The production carries a clean bounce with a balance of sunny energy and subtle melancholy, giving the track a unique emotional swing. Polo delivers his signature emotive vocals with flashes of edge, but what really seals the deal is the melodic pairing of the chorus and post-chorus. The post-chorus especially stands out, landing with a melody that sticks long after the song ends.
2. My All
To me, this track is the closest thing to hearing Polo experiment.
Polo G talks his s**t on “My All,” and it works. Throughout the track, he raps about smashing thotties, staying ready to defend himself, and putting full trust in his shooters. This is one of those records where you get a more aggressive Polo, huffing and puffing through his verses while still delivering an infectious, melodic chorus. The production keeps pace with his energy, blending moody undertones with a strong tempo and punchy momentum that makes the track hit hard from start to finish. You’ll definitely notice this track when you play this album straight.
1. Crash The Party
You gotta be prepared for warfare if you let Chicago folks crash parties.
This sounds like the track from the album that people are going to run up. The angelic hook gives it a calm, heavenly feel, while the bass and sirens add a raw street edge, creating a clean and balanced contrast. Polo leans into both sides perfectly, delivering gritty verses while letting real emotion come through as he reflects on grief, street violence, and loyalty. The result feels pure, impactful, and tailor-made for heavy radio rotation.
SONG BY SONG RATING
1. Pain Killerz (3.5/5)
2. Move Wrong (Ft. VonOff1700) (3.5/5)
3. Hard Body (4/5)
4. Crash The Party (4.5/5)
5. Chances (3.5/5)
6. Gangsta Graduation (Ft. G Herbo) (4/5)
7. Chinatown Pt. 2 (4/5)
8. Lost My Friend (3.5/5)
9. High Tolerance (4.5/5)
10. If I Gat To (3.5/5)
11. Shoot It Off (3.5/5)
12. One More Time (2.5/5)
13. Insubordinate (3/5)
14. Quality Over Quantity (3/5)
15. Dope Peddler (3.5/5)
16. Left To Blame (3.5/5)
17. Boring Soul (3.5/5)
18. My All (3.5/5)
19. Spiritual War (3/5)
20. 95 Bulls (Ft. King Von) (3/5)
21. Madden (4/5)
20. Rent Due (4/5)
RGM RATING
(71%)
Polo G has always reminded me of the rap version of Russell Westbrook. No matter the beat, topic, or feature, he gives you 110 percent every single time. That same effort was present on the original Hood Poet, but something about the album just didn’t fully connect with listeners. With Hood Poet The Black Hearts Version, Polo clearly attempts to tap back into what worked for him early in his career, and in certain moments, you can hear that recalibration paying off.
From a production standpoint, Hood Poet The Black Hearts Version leans heavily into moody, dramatic instrumentals that feel designed for maximum impact, the kind you’d want blasting through IMAX-level speakers. That sonic backdrop gives Polo the space to do what he does best: unload emotional bars and tap into his vulnerable side. Throughout the project, he reflects on his past, the demons he’s still battling, and where he hopes to be mentally in the future.
The biggest strength of Hood Poets The Black Hearts Version is that introspection. Polo sounds honest, motivated, and fully locked in from start to finish. The downside, though, is that the album doesn’t necessarily push his sound forward. At times, it feels like a return to the same lane he occupied when he first broke onto the scene; same melodies, same backdrops, and same lyrics. Still, hearing Polo sound hungry and driven again is a win in itself.
Quincy is the creator of Ratings Game Music. He loves writing about music, taking long walks on beaches, and spaghetti that fights him back.
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