Between Die a Legend, The Goat and the June release of Hall of Fame, Polo G is three for three with every album he’s released. No mixtapes needed to check the temperature.

His new album is laced with the usual ripping guitar melodies and key-ruling backdrops, thanks to production finesse from Einer Bankz, Internet Money, Axl Beats, Tahj Money and many more. Lyrically, Polo taps into his signature bars about riddling his opps with bullet baths, chin-checking his trauma and grinding more than chewing teeth. What’s most special perhaps are the intro “Painting Pictures” and the outro “Bloody Canvas,” which both include narratives so potent that they could be turned into movies. 

Rap’s most in-demand names, including DaBaby (“Party Lyfe”), Roddy Ricch (“Fame & Riches”) and Lil Durk alongside The Kid Laroi (“No Return”), help sauce this one up, too. The New York City to Chicago connection is respected with assists from drill music's best in Pop Smoke and Fivio Foreign for “Clueless.” Nicki Minaj’s appearance on the Carribean-spiced “For the Love of New York” rounds out the effort. HOF scored Polo his first-ever No. 1 album. With that feat, he sits comfortably with his arms folded in the circle of bosses, where he belongs.—Kemet High