Cyrus Langhorne
Chicago rapper Polo G's reign can't end. The hip-hop heavyweight's Hall of Fame studio album easily debuted atop the sales chart on the Billboard Top 200 Album rundown.
Polo G Demolishes Everything In Sight
Despite facing stiff competition in the form of Migos and Kodak Black projects, G’s LP made it a no-contest with well over 140,000 sold copies in week 1. The project has enjoyed international success with major support from multiple countries.
Polo G’s critically acclaimed new album Hall of Fame has debuted at #1 on the Billboard Top 200 Album chart with over 143,000 consumption units, achieving his first #1 album. The impressive U.S. debut comes hot on the heels of Polo’s massive international success where the album has entered charts around the world including #2 in New Zealand, #3 in the UK, Australia, Ireland, Netherlands & Norway, #6 in Belgium, #8 in Sweden and #28 in Germany. Both of his previously released albums Die A Legend and THE GOAT debuted top 10 on the Billboard Top 200 Album chart and have remained on the chart since their release, with Die A Legend recently celebrating a full 2 years on the chart.
Polo is no rookie to success. His “RAPSTAR” single recently toppled its competition on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
The #1 U.S. album debut follows the success of his history-making single “RAPSTAR” which spent 2 weeks on top of the Billboard Hot 100, making him the only male debut to spend 2 consecutive weeks at #1 on the Hot 100 this year. “RAPSTAR” is only the 22nd song in history to debut at #1 on the Hot 100 and log a second consecutive week on top. The track is already certified PLATINUM by the RIAA with over one million units in consumption and has amassed over 400M audio/video streams globally to date.
Polo G + Migos Massive Projections
Based on initial early predictions, Polo G was expected to have zip-zero problems debuting atop the chart. His Hall of Fame album was set to sell possibly sell around 150,000 copies in week 1. Migos were expected to follow closely behind with easily more than 120,000 sold units.
Polo G will land his first #1 next week as Hall of Fame (Columbia) pulls ahead after its first full day of sales and streams. Migos will score the second-biggest debut of the week with Culture III (Quality Control/Motown). Polo G (Columbia): 165-175k total activity; 4-7k albums Migos (Quality Control/Motown): 125-135k; 5-8k Maroon 5 (222/Interscope): 29-33k; 11-14k Twice (JYP/Imperial): 30-35k; 27-32k Bo Burnham (Imperial): 24-27k; 2-3k (HITS Daily Double)
Arrested In Miami During Traffic Stop
The huge projections followed a recent nasty run-in with law enforcement for Polo G. The Chicago rap star – born name Taurus Bartlett – had performed his hit single “Rapstar” on “The Tonight Show With Jimmy Fallon,” then attended his album release party in Miami. After leaving the party, he was pulled over around 12:30 a.m. for an unspecified “traffic infraction,” according to the police report. During the stop, a struggle ensued between Polo G and officer Brandon Carrero. According to another officer on the scene, the rapper was throwing elbows and struck Carrero multiple times.
According to the report, after Bartlett was in custody he shouted to the officer, “I will kill you, I swear I will use these fists to beat the sh*t out of you and knock your a** out.” (Miami Herald)
Stacia Mac Responds To Polo G’s Arrest
Polo G’s mother/manager Stacia Mac commented on the incident — in which G’s younger brother was also arrested — on social media. In an Instagram video she said the traffic stop was racially motivated (“They stopped them because they were driving while Black.”). She also posted on Twitter about the arrest.
“None of these charges would be possible if the POLICE did not make contact with my son Polo G!!! He was NOT the driver. He was a PASSENGER in a professionally licensed vehicle with security. He was moving smart and correctly. What more could he have done.”
