“I’m so sick of farewells and RIPs…” said the rapper from Chicago. Taurus Tremani Bartlett, known to hip hop fans as Polo G, has a different kind of spirit. The 21-year-old rapper makes more sense than some O.G.s on his single “Epidemic” where he raps about the sudden demise of potential taken out by the streets.
To the ordinary ear, “Epidemic” sounds like an average radio hit, but a closer listen reveals that it is a cautionary tale coming from an experienced soul. Polo G warns, “In the trenches yellin’, “Gang, gang, mob ties what I bleed | Don’t claim to be a opp, ’cause n—-s die from that disease | He gon’ let that .9 blow with ease.”
He has every right to be paranoid coming from a city where songs and social media posts can be a life sentence or the death penalty dealt by the hands of a gunman. The lyrics of the song get grimier as Polo G spells out the consequences of bangin’ and claiming the street life.
“Well, if he act like he ’bout it, then put him on the list | You better pick out a casket, ’cause they going quick | They gassed him up, now tears sheddin’ when they post his pic.”
Even he — a man that is entrenched in the game of hip hop where the more vulgar and wicked a rapper is the more popular he becomes — understands the repercussions of frivolous bliss that some glorify, not realizing that the end only leads to death, prison or a broken spirit.
“Potential wasted, couldn’t stay in his lane, he ain’t know his niche | Might catch him at the red light, tryna load his blick | Everyday a gamble with your life, all we know is risk,” Polo G raps.
There’s a lot to gain from Polo G’s “Epidemic” and many of the songs he makes. Not only does he come from a very raw perspective, but he also has enough courage to go against the grain and acknowledge that some of the street elements that people consider hip hop culture are just futile.
If you haven’t already, check out Polo G’s official visual to “Epidemic” below:
Full Lyrics To “Epidemic” [Explicit]
I’m so sick of Farewells and R.I.P’s
In the trenches yellin’, Gang, gang, mob ties, what I bleed
Don’t claim to be a opp, ’cause niggas die from that disease
He gon’ let that .9 blow with ease
Can I speak my mind, can I breathe?
I know she might cry if I leave
I been fooled by liars and thieves
Iced out my Rollie but I know time cannot freeze
Once you give my pussy up, it’s over with
Miss who you used to be, ’cause that’s who I was closer with
I’m in my bag, now I act like I don’t know the bitch
Before I knew what platinum was, was tryna go on hits
Well if he act like he ’bout it, then put him on the list
You better pick out a casket, ’cause they going quick
They gassed him up, now tears shedding when the post his pic
I know ’bout some flukey shit, I heard he died on a lick
My whole squad’s goin’, bitch, we don’t do no assist
Potential wasted, couldn’t stay in his lane, he ain’t know his niche
Might catch him at the red light, tryna load his blick
Everyday a gamble with your life, all we know is risk
From the windy city where you’re down to see the coldest shit
I’m so sick of, Farewells and R.I.P’s
In the trenches yellin’, Gang, gang, mob ties, what I bleed
Don’t claim to be a opp, ’cause niggas die from that disease
He gon’ let that .9 blow with ease
Can I speak my mind, can I breathe?
I know she might cry if I leave
I been fooled by liars and thieves
Iced out my Rollie but I know time cannot freeze
Switches on them glizzys, get to blowin’ like it’s four of me
Promise to my son, that the streets won’t get no more of me
Remember every line from that obituary poetry
See they peep I’m ballin’ now, just go back to ignorin’ me
Always gotta spazz, unleash the beast when they recordin’ me
Lord, I’m tryna take it easy on ’em, but they forcin’ me
See him in person, then that boy won’t stand on shit he been sayin’
Pop shit like Taliban, loadin’ up them sticks in the van
You know it’s fuck the other side ’cause my niggas gone
Always been fuck the other side, we don’t get along
If we bump heads like Marvin Gaye, let’s get it on
Aim for the head, that chopper spray, we get ’em gone
Independent, her hair down, and she feelin’ grown
Tryna correct her flaws, she filled with silicone
And she ain’t all innocent, she did a nigga wrong
I got a playlist for your heart, girl, pick a song
I’m so sick of, Farewells and R.I.P’s
In the trenches yellin’, Gang, gang, mob ties, what I bleed
Don’t claim to be a opp, ’cause niggas die from that disease
He gon’ let that .9 blow with ease
Can I speak my mind, can I breathe?
I know she might cry if I leave
I been fooled by liars and thieves
Iced out my Rollie but I know time cannot freeze
