Poles 1469

Trippie Redd, born Michael White II in Canton, Ohio, began releasing music on SoundCloud in late 2016, garnering early attention with "Love Scars." "Poles 1469" was recorded during 2016–2017 and produced by Pi'erre Bourne (born Jordan Timothy Jenks), a Columbia, South Carolina-based producer known for his airy, trap-influenced sound and work with artists including Playboi Carti, Lil Uzi Vert, and Young Nudy.^[2]

According to a 2018 Rolling Stone profile, early in 2017 Trippie Redd invited 6ix9ine (born Daniel Hernandez) to California to feature on the song.^[1] The song's success helped spark a bidding war among labels to sign 6ix9ine, who ultimately signed with 10K Projects over larger advances from Warner Bros. and Sony.^[1]

The full mixtape A Love Letter to You premiered via The Fader in May 2017, with the outlet describing Trippie Redd's hook-making ability and confessional writing as immediately standing out.^[3]

Trevor Smith of HotNewHipHop regarded the song as a highlight of A Love Letter to You, praising the vocal contrast between Trippie Redd's melodic delivery and 6ix9ine's more confrontational style, and noting that Bourne's atmospheric production suited Trippie Redd's approach.^[4]

The official music video was released simultaneously with the single on April 27, 2017. It features Trippie Redd and 6ix9ine performing among crew members in urban settings, with sequences emphasizing themes of bravado consistent with the track's trap style.^[5]

"Poles 1469" marked 6ix9ine's first widely heard appearance. According to Rolling Stone, the song's success helped launch his recording career, leading to his signing with 10K Projects and the subsequent release of "Gummo" (2017), which peaked at number 12 on the US Billboard Hot 100.^[1]