Polo G drops a new song “Bad Man (Smooth Criminal)”.
Polo G had been prepping the release of the deluxe version of his latest album “Hall of Fame” for some time now, and today he drops a brand new song. The track is titled “Bad Man (Smooth Criminal)”, which samples the classic song of late Michael Jackson. The Chicago rapper had been trying to get permission for using the sample for a long time, and it was finally cleared earlier this month.
& SMOOTH CRIMINAL THIS FRIDAY WE GOT CLEARANCE😭🌪🌪🔥🔥🔥🔥
— Polo.G🐐 (@Polo_Capalot) November 8, 2021
The song is produced by Khaled Rohaim and features some of Michael Jackson’s lyrics. He also used to track during his Rolling Loud set. The “Hall of Fame 2.0” will drop on December 3. The original version debuted at number 1 on Billboard 200.
Along with an accompanying music video, the Chicago rapper issued a statement thanking Jackson’s family and estate for granting permission to use the sample. “We are truly grateful for all your support in the release of this song and music and video,” Polo G said. “MJ is loved all around the world. We used this opportunity to represent this song for the future. We thank you sincerely and we hope we have contributed our small part to the everlasting memory and legend of the greatest entertainer of all time.”
Polo G mentions a few other well-known athletes in his second verse. The first mention belongs to famed Indian wrestler The Great Khali, and the second to Muhammad Ali, the greatest boxing champion of all time.
“Smooth Criminal” reached number seven on the Billboard Hot 100, making it Bad’s sixth top ten hit. The Recording Industry Association of America has certified it 2x platinum, while the British Phonographic Industry has certified it platinum. In Belgium, Iceland, the Netherlands, and Spain, the song hit number one, and in Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom, it reached number ten.
A Smooth Criminal inspired visual is also released, which shows Polo G in the MJ attire. At the end of the video, there’s also a tribute to Michael Jackson. “To the family, friends and fans of Michael Jackson and his estate. We are truly grateful for all your support in the release of this song and music and video. MJ is loved all around the world. We used this opportunity to represent this song for the future. We thank you sincerely and we hope we have contributed our small part to the everlasting memory and legend of the greatest entertainer of all time.”
Hall of Fame opened at number one on the Billboard 200 chart in the United States, selling 143,000 album-equivalent units in its first week (including 18,000 conventional album sales). During that same week, the album’s tracks had a total of 181.9 million on-demand streams. The album sold 17,100 equivalent units during the week of September 3, 2021, increasing its total to 514,100. Kid Laroi, Lil Durk, Lil Wayne, Scorey, G Herbo, Rod Wave, DaBaby, Young Thug, Roddy Ricch, Nicki Minaj, the late Pop Smoke, and Fivio Foreign all make cameo appearances on the album.
Watch the video below.
