Epidemic (song)

This article is about Polo G song. For the Slayer song, see Reign in Blood.
"Epidemic"
Single by Polo G
from the album Hall of Fame
ReleasedSeptember 25, 2020
Length2:58
LabelColumbia
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
  • Tahj Money
  • D Mac
  • LondnBlue
  • Karltin Bankz
Polo G singles chronology
"Bookbag 2.0"
(2020) 		"Epidemic"
(2020) 		"Bop It"
(2020)
Music video
"Epidemic" on YouTube

"Epidemic" is a song by American rapper Polo G. It was released as the lead single from his third studio album, Hall of Fame (2021), on September 25, 2020.[1] It was produced by Tahj Money, D Mac, LondnBlu and Karltin Bankz.[2]

Composition and lyrics

In the song, Polo G sing-raps about losing people close to him, especially those who died by gun violence, which is described as an "epidemic",[3] stating: "I'm so sick of farewells and RIP's / In the trenches yellin', "Gang gang", mob ties what I bleed / Don't claim to be an opp, 'cause niggas die from that disease / He gon' let that 9 blow with ease".[2][4][5][6] Later, he vows to be careful for the sake of his family ("Promise to my son that the streets won't get no more of me / Remember every line from that obituary poetry").[3] The song is sung over a piano-based beat.[7]

Music video

The music video was released alongside the single. Directed by Ryan Lynch and shot in Miami, it shows the "lavish lifestyle" of Polo G.[8] The rapper spends time with his friends; he rides in yachts and motorcycles,[8] hanging in the studio[9] and playing basketball.[3]

Charts

Chart (2020) Peak
position
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[10] 41
Global 200 (Billboard)[11] 56
Ireland (IRMA)[12] 46
New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ)[13] 8
Sweden Heatseeker (Sverigetopplistan)[14] 3
UK Singles (OCC)[15] 54
US Billboard Hot 100[16] 47
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[17] 17

Certifications

Region Certification Certified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI)[18] Silver 200,000‡
United States (RIAA)[19] Platinum 1,000,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References

  1. ^ Yoo, Noah (September 25, 2020). "Watch Polo G's Video for New Song "Epidemic"". Pitchfork. Retrieved 2020-10-25.
  2. ^ a b Johnson, Patrick (September 25, 2020). "Polo G Returns With New "Epidemic" Visual". HYPEBEAST. Retrieved 2020-10-25.
  3. ^ a b c Schatz, Lake (2020-09-25). "Polo G reveals new single "Epidemic": Stream". Consequence of Sound. Retrieved 2020-10-25.
  4. ^ "Polo G reveals new single "Epidemic": Stream". Consequence. 2020-09-25. Retrieved 2021-06-12.
  5. ^ "Polo G – "Epidemic"". Stereogum. 2020-09-25. Retrieved 2021-06-12.
  6. ^ Cho, Regina (2020-09-25). "Polo G drops new video for "Epidemic"". REVOLT. Retrieved 2021-06-12.
  7. ^ Breihan, Tom (2020-09-25). "Polo G – "Epidemic"". Stereogum. Retrieved 2020-10-25.
  8. ^ a b McMurtrie, Layla (October 1, 2020). "Polo G's new single and video for "Epidemic," prove his title of "The GOAT," is ever standing". The Eastern Echo. Retrieved 2020-10-25.
  9. ^ "Polo G Shares New Video for "Epidemic"". Complex. Retrieved 2020-10-25.
  10. ^ "Polo G Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved October 10, 2020.
  11. ^ "Polo g Chart History - Global 200". Billboard. Retrieved September 15, 2020.
  12. ^ "Irish-charts.com – Discography Polo G". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved October 2, 2020.
  13. ^ "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved October 5, 2020.
  14. ^ "Veckolista Heatseeker, vecka 40, 2020" (in Swedish). Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved April 11, 2021.
  15. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved October 8, 2020.
  16. ^ "Polo G Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved October 10, 2020.
  17. ^ "Polo G Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved October 10, 2020.
  18. ^ "British single certifications – Polo G – Epidemic". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved October 8, 2023.
  19. ^ "American single certifications – Polo G – Epidemic". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved September 6, 2021.