Jack Harlow is an American rapper and songwriter from Louisville, United States. He is associated with hip hop and pop rap, and he is signed to Generation Now and Atlantic Records. He is also the co-founder of the Private Garden musical collective.

Early life and beginnings

Harlow is born in 1998 and is born and raised in Louisville. He starts rapping at the age of 12, recording early material with a friend using a Guitar Hero microphone and a laptop. The pair make a CD called Rippin' and Rappin' and sell copies at Highland Middle School.

When he is in seventh grade, he gets a professional microphone and records his first mixtape, Extra Credit, under the name Mr. Harlow. He attends Atherton High School and graduates in 2016.

Early releases and local profile

During his freshman year, his YouTube videos attract attention from major labels, but he does not take up the deals offered at that time. In November 2014, while still at school, he releases the mixtape Finally Handsome. In November 2015, he issues his first commercial release, the EP The Handsome Harlow, through sonaBLAST!, the label run by Gill Holland.

Throughout high school, he regularly performs sold-out shows in Louisville venues including Mercury Ballroom, Headliners, and the Haymarket Whiskey Bar. In early 2016, he releases the single “Never Woulda Known”, featuring Johnny Spanish and produced by Syk Sense. In March that year, he opens for Vince Staples in Louisville.

Private Garden and the Homies

In June 2016, soon after graduating, Harlow releases the mixtape 18, which is the first release on his label and music collective Private Garden. The collective also includes his frequent collaborators the Homies, a Louisville group made up of Ace Pro, 2forwOyNE, Shloob, Quiiso and Ronnie Lucciano.

He spends time travelling between Louisville and Atlanta to work with engineer and mixer KY Engineering. In March 2017 he releases “Hitchcock”, produced by 2forwOyNE and J-Reid. Later in 2017 he issues “Routine” and then “Dark Knight”, which is released with a music video. CyHi the Prynce helps him finish the song through a period of writer’s block, and it becomes the lead single from the mixtape Gazebo, released in November 2017. He then tours Gazebo on a 14-city run with the Homies as support, ending in January 2018.

Breakthrough and major-label work

Harlow performs at South by Southwest, Bonnaroo and the Forecastle Festival. In May 2018 he opens for Portugal. The Man on selected tour dates, and the following month he appears on Skeme’s “Get Sumn” alongside Lil James and Sixteen.

In August 2018, he signs to Generation Now, the Atlantic Records imprint run by DJ Drama and Don Cannon. He releases the video for “SUNDOWN” on the same day, followed by his major-label debut mixtape Loose. The release includes guest verses from CyHi the Prynce, K Camp, 2forwOyNE and Taylor. He later performs at the Genius IQ/BBQ event and undertakes a North American tour in support of Loose. In November 2018, he also releases a video for “PICKYOURPHONEUP” featuring K Camp.

In August 2019, he releases “Thru the Night” featuring Bryson Tiller and begins a US tour later that year.

Chart success and albums

In January 2020, Harlow releases “WHATS POPPIN”, with a video directed by Cole Bennett. The song becomes the track he is best known for, and the video reaches more than 155 million views by May 2022.

In 2021, he releases “Industry Baby” with Lil Nas X. The song reaches number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and becomes his first chart-topper. He also releases “SUVs (Black on Black)” with Pooh Shiesty on 3 August 2021.

On 18 February 2022, he releases “Nail Tech”, the lead single from his second studio album. The song debuts and peaks at number 18 on the Hot 100, and Kanye West praises it. Harlow also appears on West’s “Louie Bags” from Donda 2. He announces Come Home the Kids Miss You in March 2022 and releases the album in May. It debuts at number three on the US Billboard 200, becomes his second US top-five debut, peaks at number four on the UK Albums Chart and gives him his first top-ten entry there. Its second single, “First Class”, becomes his second number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and the year’s first hip-hop song to reach that position.

His third studio album, Jackman., is released in 2023 by Generation Now and Atlantic.

Other work and influences

Harlow makes his acting debut in a reboot of White Men Can't Jump directed by Calmatic. He also appears as the College GameDay guest picker and performer for Ohio State’s 2022 season opener against Notre Dame, and later appears on Saturday Night Live as both host and musical guest for the Halloween episode. In 2023, he joins the cast of the Apple TV+ film The Instigators, alongside Matt Damon and Casey Affleck.

He cites a wide range of influences, including Eminem, Drake, Kanye West, Lil Wayne, Outkast, Paul Wall, Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash, Hall & Oates, Fergie and Jesse McCartney. He also says he is influenced by cinema and aims for his songs to feel like short films, naming Martin Scorsese, Quentin Tarantino and Alfred Hitchcock among his favourite filmmakers.