Jack Harlow has a deep love for Black women and he credits them for his success in his new Teen VOGUE cover story. More inside…
Rapper Jack Harlow became a trending topic when he didn’t recognize Brandy’s vocals, or the fact that she’s Ray J’s big sister. Despite the blunder, the 24-year-old rapper credits Black women for leveling up his career in the music industry.
The “First Class” rapper graces one of three covers for Teen VOGUE magazine’s June 2022 issue where he talks about his passion for Hip Hop, his upcoming new album, and the support he has received from his fan base, specifically Black women.
“They’ll never have to worry about not being credited by me,” he told the publication.
”I mean, I look out at my shows and I see them. It’s one thing when you see the memes and you hear people talking about it, but it’s another when you travel the country and you see them all over the place. I love Black women. I’ve loved Black women my whole life.”
The Louisville rapper gained viral fame from his single “What’s Poppin’” in 2020, but it was “Industry Baby,” his Grammy-nominated hit with Lil Nas X, that turned him into a pop culture fixture. While he has seen mainstream success, he has also been presented with harsh criticism about his latest album, Come Home the Kids Miss You. There was tons of negative online chatter about the album, but he doesn’t shy away from the criticism.
“I’ve been so validated by the world over the last year and just put on a pedestal and loved,” he said. “To experience a taste of the opposite, I think it’s good for my growth,” he said. “It teaches you not to put too much stock in either because the world is finicky. But I’m proud to say my confidence and my thoughts on my trajectory haven’t been shaken. A lot of it has been a big surprise to me, after I caught wind of some of it. I’ve been able to do a good job of stepping away.”
He was asked if he’s seen any valid points in the criticism. “That’s a good question,” he replies. After a beat, he sounds notably more passionate. “I haven’t seen a lot of good points because, you know, most of the noise isn’t written eloquently. My music, to me, is without a doubt getting better. Some of my earlier stuff, since I wasn’t in the position that I’m in [now], it was easier to be like, ‘Yeah, slide him his props.’ But once you’re up there, it’s a saltier feeling in your mouth. It’s seasonal, I’m telling you. It’s fashion.”
Love him or hate him, it doesn’t seem he’s going anywhere soon.
Having never acted before, Jack – who is 6 feet, 3 inches – landed the lead role in the upcoming White Men Can’t Jump reboot.
Photogs caught him in Venice on the set of the film, hooping it up on the basketball court:
Jack Harlow was spotted working on his basketball skills on set of “White Men Can’t Jump.” https://t.co/XgV1j9DnGW
— TMZ (@TMZ) June 10, 2022
Jack Harlow can u do a whats in my bag video pic.twitter.com/5bTbursyqh
— Victoria (@cowgirljack) June 10, 2022
Also…
Hopping on the celebrity-endorsed fast food combo trend, the three-time Grammy-nominated rapper recently collaborated with KFC to release his own “Jack Harlow Meal.” Makes sense. Kentucky Fried Chicken and he’s from Kentucky. The meal includes a KFC Spicy Chicken Sandwich, Secret Recipe Fries, Mac & Cheese, a side of ranch, and a lemonade drink.
“When KFC asked me to create my own meal, I knew it couldn’t be just any meal,” he said in a press release. “My meal brings together my childhood favorites from growing up in Louisville, the KFC mac & cheese, with my new go-to spicy chicken sandwich (with plenty of ranch), secret recipe fries, and lemonade — it doesn’t get much better.”
Last weekend, he was spotted working a KFC drive-thru window in Atlanta to promote his new meal.
Jack Harlow taking orders at KFC pic.twitter.com/shFYYdX1af
— XXL Magazine (@XXL) June 9, 2022
Serving up “first class” meals. Gotta love it.
You can read his full Teen VOGUE cover story here.
Photo: DFree/Shutterstock