Flex (feat. Juice WRLD)

"Flex" by Polo G featuring Juice WRLD is a powerful anthem of triumph and braggadocio, detailing the artists' journey from the hardships of street life to the pinnacles of fame and wealth in the music industry. The term "flex" itself means to show off, and the song is a bold declaration of their success, flaunting their money, jewelry, and newfound status as a testament to their hard work and perseverance. The lyrics explore the duality of their lives, contrasting their difficult pasts in the "slums" with their current luxurious lifestyles. It's a celebration of overcoming adversity, yet it's tinged with the somber acknowledgment of the violence and loss that were part of their reality. Polo G and Juice WRLD don't just boast about their success; they reflect on the dangerous paths they navigated, the friends they lost ("some my niggas gone too"), and the constant vigilance required to protect what they've earned. The song serves as both a motivational anthem for those in similar situations and a tribute to their resilience and the unique brand of hip-hop that emerged from their experiences.

The narrative of "Flex" revolves around the artists' ascent from a life of struggle and street-level hustling to achieving immense success and wealth through their music. Polo G opens by establishing his identity as a natural-born hustler, where showing off his success, or "stuntin'," is a fundamental part of who he is. He directly attributes his newfound wealth, symbolized by "a hundred cash," to the impact of his songs. The chorus reinforces this theme, portraying a character who is both a gangster and a baller, someone who operates by his own rules and is backed by a loyal and dangerous crew. There's a stark acknowledgment of the violent realities of his past, with references to his associates being ready to shoot and the inevitable losses that come with that life. Despite the dangers, he revels in the rewards, from expensive jewelry to the affection of a "bad bitch."

Polo G's verse delves deeper into his past, painting a vivid picture of the grim environment he came from, which he compares to the slums of Haiti and a zoo filled with treacherous people. He recounts his history with the law on the "1300 block" and the unforgiving nature of the streets where there are no second chances. This past is contrasted with his present reality of living a dream life, a direct result of his hustle. The transition from waking up in low-income housing to his current luxurious lifestyle is a core element of his story.

Juice WRLD's posthumous verse complements Polo G's narrative by reflecting on his own journey. He describes his transformation from making calls on a "trap phone" to performing at sold-out shows. This illustrates a clear departure from a life of crime to legitimate success in the music industry. His lyrics also touch upon the paranoia and constant threat from rivals ("opps"), even amidst his fame. He mentions keeping a shooter with him for protection and his reliance on prayer for continued financial success and safety from those who wish him harm. The verse is filled with imagery of wealth, like diamonds from Johnny Dang, but also a sense of isolation and the presence of personal demons. He playfully signs off with a clever rhyme, "See ya later alligator, quite a while crocodile, we gone," signaling his departure from his old life and the haters. The song as a whole is a testament to overcoming adversity, celebrating the spoils of success while never forgetting the perilous journey and the friends lost along the way. It's a dual narrative of triumph and the lingering shadows of a difficult past.

"Flex" was released on May 15, 2020, as a track on Polo G's second studio album, The Goat. The song was recorded in 2019. The collaboration came about through the producer, Hit-Boy. Polo G had recorded the song with an open verse. Knowing that Polo G and fellow Chicago rapper Juice WRLD were friends who often hung out in California, Hit-Boy suggested getting Juice WRLD on the track. Polo G agreed, and within a couple of weeks, Juice WRLD had sent back his verse. Polo G has stated that this feature was the one he was most excited about for the album. Tragically, Juice WRLD passed away in December 2019, making "Flex" his sixth posthumous release. The track was written by both artists, Taurus Bartlett (Polo G) and Jarad Higgins (Juice WRLD), along with Chauncey Hollis (Hit-Boy), Chris Madine, and Dustin Corbett. Hit-Boy is credited as the main producer, with Corbett as a co-producer and Chris Madine as an additional studio producer.

The rhyme scheme in "Flex" is intricate and fluid, characteristic of modern melodic rap. Both Polo G and Juice WRLD utilize a combination of perfect rhymes, slant rhymes, and internal rhymes to create a continuous and engaging flow. For example, in the chorus, Polo G rhymes "strong suit," "songs do," "want to," "gon' do," "gon' shoot," and "gone too," demonstrating a consistent end-rhyme pattern that makes the hook memorable. The rhythmic structure is built around a mid-tempo trap beat produced by Hit-Boy. The rappers' lyrical cadences often play with the rhythm, sometimes falling directly on the beat and at other times using a more syncopated flow that adds complexity. This interplay between the vocal rhythm and the instrumental creates the song's characteristic laid-back yet confident feel. The melodic nature of their delivery smooths out the rhythmic cadences, allowing the emotional weight of the lyrics to come to the forefront. The tempo is steady, providing a solid foundation for the artists to weave their narratives of struggle and success.

"Flex" showcases a blend of literary and musical techniques that enhance its impact.

• Vocal Delivery: Both Polo G and Juice WRLD employ a melodic rap style, which was a signature for both artists. This approach infuses the track with an emotive quality, making the boastful lyrics feel more like a heartfelt narrative of their journey. The production features an "emotive" pop beat that complements their vocal styles.
• Narrative Voice: The song is told from a first-person perspective, giving the listener a direct and personal account of their experiences. This creates a sense of authenticity and allows the artists to speak their truths directly.
• Juxtaposition: A key technique is the constant juxtaposition of past and present. Polo G contrasts waking up in "low income" with now living a "dream life," and Juice WRLD contrasts dialing from a "trap phone" with performing "show after show." This highlights the magnitude of their success.
• Braggadocio: The song is built on the hip-hop tradition of braggadocio, where the artists boast about their wealth, talent, and toughness. However, it's layered with vulnerability and reflections on the costs of their success.
• Wordplay and Slang: The lyrics are dense with street slang and clever wordplay, such as "steppers" (shooters) and the "Warriors" metaphor, which grounds the song in its cultural context and showcases lyrical skill.

"Flex" was released as part of Polo G's highly successful sophomore album, The Goat, which debuted at number two on the US Billboard 200 chart with 99,000 album-equivalent units in its first week. The song itself was certified Gold by the RIAA. The collaboration was particularly significant as it brought together two of Chicago's most prominent young rappers and was one of Juice WRLD's first posthumous releases, adding to its emotional resonance for fans. The track received positive reviews, with many critics praising Juice WRLD's feature as one of his best. Culturally, the song encapsulates a key narrative within modern hip-hop: the story of rising from poverty and street life to achieve mainstream success. It resonated with a wide audience for its authenticity and the palpable chemistry between Polo G and Juice WRLD. The song remains a tribute to the late Juice WRLD and is a significant track in Polo G's discography, showcasing his ability to blend street narratives with melodic, emotionally resonant music. Polo G has stated he would often open his live shows with "Flex" to commemorate his friend.

The lyrics of "Flex" are rich with symbolism and metaphors that paint a vivid picture of the artists' lives.

• "Wet shit like the Warriors": This is a clever use of wordplay. "Wet" is slang for shooting someone, and it's metaphorically linked to the Golden State Warriors, a basketball team famous for their exceptional shooters. This line blends the violence of street life with the success and skill celebrated in sports.
• "I come from that zoo, it's just cobras, pigs, and apes in there": Polo G uses an animal metaphor to describe his old neighborhood. "Cobras" likely represent sly and dangerous enemies, "pigs" is a derogatory term for police, and "apes" could refer to aggressive and powerful figures. This imagery vividly conveys a sense of a wild and perilous environment.
• "Foe 'nem line shit like a barber, Glock knock off his facial hair": This simile compares the precision and ruthlessness of his crew's violence to a barber giving a clean shave, highlighting the cold and calculated nature of street justice.
• "The FN sing a song like it's the leader of a soul crew": Juice WRLD personifies his FN (a type of firearm) by saying it "sings a song," a metaphor for the sound of gunfire. Comparing it to the leader of a soul crew adds a layer of dark, artistic flair to the act of violence.
• "See ya later alligator, quite a while crocodile, we gone": Juice WRLD uses a classic playful rhyme to signify a definitive departure, likely from his past life of struggle and from the "opps" or enemies he mentions.

The most prominent recurring phrase in "Flex" is the chorus, which encapsulates the song's central themes. The lines "Natural born hustler, nigga, stuntin' is my strong suit / Flexin' with a hundred cash, look at what these songs do" are repeated to emphasize the core message of achieving wealth through talent and hustle. This hook acts as the song's thesis statement. Another key recurring motif is the juxtaposition of success and danger. Polo G repeatedly mentions being with "steppers" and the potential for violence ("all my niggas gon' shoot"), immediately following his boasts about wealth. This creates a constant reminder that his success is built on a foundation of a perilous past and that danger is ever-present. The idea of loss is also a recurring motif, poignantly expressed in the line, "He gon' have to take a loss, some my niggas gone too." This phrase, repeated in the chorus, grounds the celebratory flexing in a somber reality. Juice WRLD's verse continues this theme of vigilance against "opps" even while on the road performing, showing that the threats from the past linger despite their success.