Through Da Storm

"Through Da Storm" is a deeply autobiographical and reflective track where Polo G chronicles his journey from hardship and incarceration to fame and success. The core meaning of the song revolves around the idea of perseverance. Polo G uses his personal experiences—growing up in poverty in Chicago, facing jail time, and dealing with loss—to illustrate a universal message: everyone endures struggles, but the key is to push through them. The "storm" is a central metaphor for the adversities he has faced in both his personal life and the music industry. The lyrics detail specific moments of pain, such as seeing his mother cry during jail visits and feeling abandoned by others, which are contrasted with the rewards of his current success. However, the song also suggests that wealth and fame are not a panacea for emotional pain, acknowledging that he still grapples with depression and the lingering dangers of his past. Ultimately, the song is a testament to resilience, family loyalty, and the relentless drive to create a better life, not just for himself but for his loved ones.

The song opens with an intimate and hopeful voice memo from Polo G's younger sister, Leia, who expresses her pride and belief that he would one day become a big star. This sets a deeply personal and familial tone for the track.

Polo G then takes over, immediately establishing the central theme of perseverance. He reflects on his past struggles, including his time in jail, which he contrasts with his current success. He recalls the pain of seeing his mother's tears during jail visits and the feeling of isolation. The lyric, "Tryna work towards these blessings but the devil keep interfering. Everybody go through something, it's all about persevering," serves as the song's thesis, a powerful statement on resilience in the face of constant adversity.

The narrative weaves through memories of poverty and hardship. He recounts nights without a place to sleep and the indifference of others who watched him and his brother starve. These experiences fuel his drive, and now that he has achieved success, he notes the irony of former onlookers now being angry at his rise. His loyalty to those who were with him during the tough times is a key point, as he vows to provide for his brother, ensuring they live like kings to make up for their past suffering.

He touches on the psychological weight of his past, feeling like a "golden child" now, whereas he once thought his own mother hated him due to his troubled youth. There's a sense of survivor's guilt and an awareness of the dangers that still surround him, even after leaving the hood. He carries a weapon for protection, a stark reminder that success doesn't erase the threats of his former life. Despite the material wealth he's acquired—expensive clothes, cars, and money he can't even count—he acknowledges that this provides only a temporary escape from deeper emotional scars and depression.

The spiritual presence of his deceased grandmother is a recurring source of comfort and strength, feeling her spirit when it gets cold. This connection, along with his communication with his sister, highlights the importance of family as his anchor. The song concludes by reiterating the core message: life is a universal struggle, but overcoming it through perseverance is what defines a person. He acknowledges the hate and envy from others but remains focused, having put his passion and pain into every lyric to become the man and artist he is today.

"Through Da Storm" was released on June 7, 2019, as a track on Polo G's debut studio album, Die a Legend. The song was recorded for Columbia Records. The production was handled by Jahmere "Ayo" Tylon, who is also credited as a songwriter alongside Polo G (Taurus Bartlett). Ayo produced eight of the songs on the album. The song's creation is deeply rooted in Polo G's real-life experiences, particularly his time spent in jail and the struggles he faced growing up in North Chicago. He has described the song as a reflection on everything he went through leading up to his success. A notable feature in the song's intro is a voice memo from his little sister, Leia Monroe, which adds a personal and emotional layer to the track. The music video, directed by Ryan Lynch, was released on July 14, 2019, and features Polo G with his sister, performing in a Los Angeles park, visually contrasting his tough past with a more serene present.

• The Storm: The most prominent metaphor is the "storm," which represents the collection of adversities, struggles, and hardships Polo G has faced throughout his life. This includes poverty, street violence, incarceration, and personal loss. Navigating "through da storm" symbolizes his journey of perseverance and resilience.
• Gucci Tiger Growling: The line "...my engine roaring and that Gucci tiger growling" uses the image of the Gucci tiger motif on his clothing to symbolize his newfound success and aggressive ambition. It parallels the sound of his car's engine, linking his material wealth to a powerful, almost predatory, presence.
• Dripping Like a Fountain: Polo G uses the simile "I be dripping like a fountain" to describe his expensive taste and fashion. In modern slang, "drip" refers to style and swag. Comparing it to a fountain vividly illustrates an overflowing, constant stream of wealth and high fashion.
• The Devil: The lyric "Tryna work towards these blessings but the devil keep interfering" is a metaphor for the constant temptations and negative forces that try to pull him off his path to success. The "devil" represents street life, crime, and internal demons that challenge his perseverance.

The emotional atmosphere of "Through Da Storm" is predominantly melancholic and reflective, yet deeply imbued with a sense of hope and defiance. The somber piano melody and Polo G's mournful vocal delivery create a pensive and sorrowful backdrop, effectively conveying the pain of his past traumas, such as incarceration and poverty. There are moments of palpable sadness and vulnerability, especially when he describes seeing his mother's tears. However, this sadness is consistently countered by a powerful undercurrent of resilience and determination. The central message of perseverance acts as an emotional anchor, shifting the tone from one of pure tragedy to one of inspiring triumph over adversity. There's also a sense of pride and vindication in his success, though it's tempered by the awareness that emotional scars remain. This creates a complex emotional landscape that is bittersweet, raw, and ultimately hopeful.

"Through Da Storm" was a key track on Polo G's critically acclaimed debut album, Die a Legend, which debuted at number six on the US Billboard 200 and is certified 2x Platinum by the RIAA. While not released as a formal single, the song itself achieved significant success and recognition, earning a 2x Platinum certification in the United States and Platinum status in Canada. It also charted on Billboard's Bubbling Under Hot 100. The song is often cited by critics and fans as one of the standout tracks from the album and a quintessential example of Polo G's vivid storytelling and melodic style. Its themes of overcoming adversity have resonated deeply with a wide audience, contributing to its popularity on social media platforms and its status as an inspirational anthem. The song helped solidify Polo G's position as a significant voice in contemporary hip-hop, known for his emotional honesty and ability to articulate the struggles of his generation.

"Through Da Storm" is set to a moderate tempo of approximately 74 BPM, characteristic of many trap and melodic rap songs, allowing for clear and deliberate lyrical delivery. The song is built over a piano-led instrumental with a standard trap beat, creating a melancholic yet rhythmic foundation. Polo G's flow is notably melodic and narrative-driven, often prioritizing storytelling clarity over complex rhyme schemes. His rhyme scheme is not strictly consistent but frequently uses couplets (AABB) and intermittent internal rhymes to connect lines and ideas. For example, in the lines "Know my grandma still with me, when they get cold I feel your spirit / Talking to my little sister, phone calls through security," the end words don't form a perfect rhyme but are close enough (assonance) to maintain flow, while he continues with a perfect rhyme in the following couplet: "...my mama her eyes tearing / ...the devil keep interfering." A distinctive feature of his rhythm is his phrasing, where he sometimes ends lines on off-beats, specifically the third beat of a bar, rather than the conventional fourth beat snare, giving his delivery a unique, slightly syncopated feel that adds to the song's conversational and earnest quality.

• Melodic Rap: Polo G is known for his melodic style, which blends singing and rapping. This is evident in "Through Da Storm," where he delivers his lines with a somber, emotive tone over a piano-driven beat, a characteristic sound of his music.
• Storytelling: The song employs a strong narrative structure, recounting specific anecdotes from his past, such as being in jail and his interactions with family. This vivid and explicit storytelling makes the song's themes of struggle and perseverance more impactful and relatable.
• Juxtaposition: The lyrics create a stark contrast between his past and present life. He juxtaposes memories of being broke ("ain't have no place to sleep") with his current wealth ("coming through these thousands"), and feelings of being hated with being the "golden child." This highlights the magnitude of his journey.
• Introductory Soundbite: The use of his little sister's voice memo at the beginning is a powerful framing device. It immediately grounds the song in a personal, familial context and establishes a tone of hope and pride that runs counter to the dark themes he explores.
• Parallelism: Polo G uses parallelism to create rhythm and emphasis, as seen in the line "speakers pounding, yea my engine roaring and that Gucci tiger growling," which connects different symbols of his success through a repeated grammatical structure.

What is the meaning of Polo G's song 'Through Da Storm'?

'Through Da Storm' is an autobiographical song about perseverance. Polo G reflects on his difficult past, including poverty and jail time, using the 'storm' as a metaphor for his struggles. The track's core message is about overcoming adversity and staying hopeful, inspired by his love for his family.

Who is the girl talking at the beginning of 'Through Da Storm'?

The voice at the beginning of the song belongs to Polo G's younger sister, Leia Monroe. Her message of pride in her brother sets a personal and emotional tone for the track, highlighting the theme of family.

When was 'Through Da Storm' by Polo G released?

'Through Da Storm' was released on June 7, 2019. It is a track from his debut studio album, 'Die a Legend'.

What story does 'Through Da Storm' tell?

The song tells the story of Polo G's journey from a life of hardship in Chicago to becoming a successful artist. He recounts specific memories like being incarcerated, seeing his mother's pain, and being motivated by his grandmother's spirit and his sister's faith in him.

What does the lyric 'the devil keep interfering' mean in 'Through Da Storm'?

This line is a metaphor for the negative influences and obstacles that Polo G faced while trying to build a better life. It refers to the temptations of street life, personal demons, and external challenges that threatened to derail his progress toward achieving his 'blessings'.

Who produced Polo G's 'Through Da Storm'?

The song was produced by Jahmere 'Ayo' Tylon. He is also credited as a co-writer on the track alongside Polo G.

What genre is 'Through Da Storm'?

'Through Da Storm' is primarily categorized as melodic hip-hop and trap music, with influences from the Chicago drill scene. Its piano-based instrumental and emotive, narrative lyrics are hallmarks of Polo G's signature style.