From his new album, Jackman, to starring in the remake of the 1992 classic, White Men Can't Jump, Jack Harlow is keeping busy, but not really doing any press. That being said, Rap Radar Podcast clearly got the hookup as hosts B.Dot and Elliott flew down to Louisville to chop it up with Jack about his latest album, Kendrick Lamar, that Machine Gun Kelly diss, Drake, the state of music, and much more.
LISTEN NOW: Rap Radar — Jack Harlow
Explaining he eschewed away from a traditional album rollout for a more underground type release for his latest project, Jackman, Harlow said; "There’s just so much music right now, and I was just thinking, 'I don’t want to create something, I just want to give them where I’m at right now because it may not be where I’m at in six months.' So I said 'Let’s go right now.'”
“I can’t lie, I just wanted to pledge allegiance to the genre a little bit. I just wanted to take all the frills off and just here, Rap.” This time around less focused on “the vibes” and “ear candy,” and more focused on “saying something.”
When it comes to explaining the album, Jack expressed his hesitancy to “create a synopsis for any of these tracks,” opting to continue to “leave them up to interpretation.” However, he did reiterate what he said at the beginning of the record, “I’m just painting a picture of what I see. Just what I’m observing in society and culture right now. And I didn’t necessarily promise like a payoff or a here what comes because of that.”
Incredibly thankful for the support and positive album reception, Jack issued a graceful statement of gratitude two weeks after the albums release. Speaking on the differences in how this particular album has been acknowledged, in comparison to the previous, neither being better than the other, Jack pinpointed a specific monumental moment between him and Kendrick Lamar.
“I ran into Kendrick at The Met, it was just a few days after the album dropped, and he was like, ‘Yo, that was like the best move you coulda made.’ [He] just gave me enough props that I could have walked home, I didn’t even want to meet anyone else. It was like one of the best feelings on earth.” Going on to note Tyler, The Creator approached him with similar regard, Jack went on to note, “all the people I respect have been giving me that hat tip and that is so gratifying.”
Elsewhere in the conversation, Jack acknowledged knowing about MGK getting in his feelings about Harlow claiming to be “the hardest white boy since the one who rapped about vomit and sweaters,” even though he hadn’t spoken about it publicly.
“I think everyone is entitled to their opinion, and I feel great about what I said, and I feel great about the reaction. It’s just what it is.” Not even intending to stir anything up, Jack expressed, “It was a stream of consciousness sort of verse. And not that I don’t stand on my statement, but its just… I’m an MC, I’m talking my s***, this ain’t a new concept to feel yourself… I feel no reservations about what was said at all.”
Speaking on being friends, Drake - someone Jack grew up idolizing - and once again brining up his Met Gala moment with Kendrick, “and so many others like it,” he said, “these are the moments where I’m like ‘oh yeah I’m f***ing blessed. I’m living the life I fantasized about a decade ago.”
“Any of my time with Drake is precious to me, Jack continued, “because I used to dream of just chopping it up with him, much less doing a song and feeling validated by him… Because before all this, they’re just damn near figments of your imagination almost. They’re just mythical creatures. So to really mean them is just good lord."
“I’m just a nostalgia junkie though," Jack added, “so I always think full circle. I always think to eleven year old me, and think, 'wow — you did it.'”
To listen to the entire conversation, press play on the episode above.
Hosted by Elliott Wilson and Brian 'B.Dot' Miller, Rap Radar is the home of Hip Hop’s most revealing interviews. Both Wilson and Miller are true journalists who do an immense amount of research, know how to listen and are driven to get the answers to the questions Hip Hop fans want to know.
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