Bad Man (Smooth Criminal) Explained

Bad Man (Smooth Criminal)
Type:	single
Artist:	Polo G
Album:	Hall of Fame 2.0
Released:	November 12, 2021
Genre:	Trap
Length:	1:46
Label:	Columbia
Producer:	J. White Did It Dopson
Prev Title:	Jumpin
Prev Year:	2021

"Bad Man (Smooth Criminal)" is a song by American rapper Polo G. It was released through Columbia Records on November 12, 2021, as the only single and opening track from his reissued album, Hall of Fame 2.0. The song is an interpolation of American singer Michael Jackson's single, "Smooth Criminal", taken from his seventh studio album, Bad (1987). It was produced by J. White Did It and Larrance Dopson, while it was co-produced by Khaled Rohaim and Travis Sayles.^[1]

Background and promotion

In October 2021, Polo G debuted the song at Rolling Loud to an average to negative reception from fans.^[2] He confirmed the release of the song and its parent album, Hall of Fame 2.0, on November 8, 2021.^[3]

Music video

A music video premiered along with the song on November 12, 2021. He wears the same white suit that Michael Jackson wore in the video of "Smooth Criminal" to pay homage to the late singer.^[4] At the end of the video, a written statement by Polo G appears, in which it says:

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 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.^[5]

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (2021–2022)! scope="col"

Peak position
Iceland (Plötutíðindi)^[6]	20
New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ)^[7]	7
Sweden Heatseeker (Sverigetopplistan)^[8]	3

Year-end charts

Chart (2022)! scope="col"

Position
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)^[9]	75
US Rhythmic (Billboard)^[10]	50

Release history

Region! scope="col"

Date	Format(s)	Label
Various	November 12, 2021		Columbia
United States	November 23, 2021	Rhythmic contemporary radio		^[11]
		Urban contemporary radio		^[12]
Italy	December 3, 2021	Contemporary hit radio	Sony	^[13]

Notes and References

1. Web site: Polo G To Flip Michael Jackson's 'Smooth Criminal' For 'Hall Of Fame 2.0.' Deluxe Album. HipHopDX. Saponara. Michael. November 8, 2021. November 12, 2021.
2. Web site: Polo G's Michael Jackson-Sampling 'Smooth Criminal' Gets Flamed After Rolling Loud Debut. HipHopDX. Elibert. Mark. October 29, 2021. November 12, 2021.
3. Web site: Polo G To Flip Michael Jackson's 'Smooth Criminal' For 'Hall Of Fame 2.0.' Deluxe Album. HipHopDX. Saponara. Michael. November 8, 2021. November 12, 2021.
4. Web site: Polo G lifts from Michael Jackson in the new song "Bad Man (Smooth Criminal)". The Fader. Darville. Jordan. November 12, 2021. November 12, 2021.
5. Web site: Polo G - Bad Man (Smooth Criminal) [Official Video]]. YouTube. November 12, 2021. November 12, 2021.
6. Web site: Tónlistinn – Lög. The Music – Songs. is. Plötutíðindi. March 12, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20211121093430/https://plotutidindi.is/tonlistinn/. November 21, 2021. dead.
7. Web site: NZ Hot Singles Chart. Recorded Music NZ. November 22, 2021. November 19, 2021.
8. Web site: Veckolista Heatseeker, vecka 46. Sverigetopplistan. May 28, 2021.
9. Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs – Year-End 2022. Billboard. December 2, 2022.
10. Rhythmic Songs – Year-End 2022. Billboard. December 2, 2022.
11. Web site: Top 40 Rhythmic Future Releases R&B Song and Hip-Hop Music Release Dates .... dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20211122110348/https://www.allaccess.com/top40-rhythmic/future-releases. November 22, 2021. November 25, 2021. All Access.
12. Web site: Urban/R&B Future Releases R&B, Hip Hop, Release Schedule and Street Dates .... dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20211124105743/https://www.allaccess.com/urban/future-releases. November 24, 2021. November 25, 2021. All Access.
13. Web site: Polo G "Bad Man (Smooth Criminal)" (Radio Date: 03/12/2021). radiodate.it. it. December 1, 2021.