Jack Harlow provides insight into the process behind his new album, but not without some controversial takes.
The rapper revealed that he may have changed races in his mind to help him reach the right creative height to explore a new area for his sound and give birth to his latest project, “Monica.”
Jack Harlow released his fourth studio album on March 13, his 28th birthday, four years after breaking the internet and the charts with the release of his hit single “First Class.”
Jack Harlow reveals the mystery of the transition between musical genres
The 28-year-old admitted he became darker while exploring the R&B genre, years after debuting as a rapper. He revealed this on the New York Times podcast when asked if he made a conscious decision to delve deeper into “blackness” with his new project.
The rapper admitted that he has become blacker with his music and has always enjoyed the sound of “black music.” The podcast hosts compared Harlow to some white artists who are abandoning rap and moving toward traditionally white sounds.
Harlow explained that he is fully aware of today’s politics and understands why many of his white colleagues have found a safer place to exit rap and take a different direction. As reported by TMZ, the rapper said that going in a completely different direction with his work made it even more satisfying, and that moving into R&B with “Monica” was very intentional.
The rapper’s new studio album
Harlow brought her vision of “Monica” to life at Electric Lady Studios in New York, after moving from her home in Kentucky to the city. As stated by Billboard, Harlow’s new collaboration featured producers such as Aksel Arvid, Jermaine Paul, Clay Harlow, Angel “BabeTruth” Lopez and Hollywood Cole.
Other creatives like Robert Glasper, Ravyn Lenae, Omar Apollo and rising hometown R&B artist James Savage also contributed to the project. Harlow’s latest album comes after his third studio album “Jackman” peaked at No. 8 on the Billboard 200 in 2023 and landed the No. 1 spot on the Billboard Top Rap Albums chart.
Harlow’s 2020 hit track, “What’s Poppin,” landed at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 and became his first Diamond-certified record by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) in 2025. The rapper’s latest album contains nine tracks and represents a massive departure from releasing a single last March.
Jack Harlow opened up about exploring the acting side of his career in 2023
The musician made his acting debut in a sports-focused project, “White Men Can’t Jump,” in 2023. The Blast noted that Harlow approached the complex side of becoming an actor after spending years as the soul behind the mic in a studio.
“Through this movie, I was able to gain my confidence as an actor, and for me, this shit isn’t a side quest. It’s not a side mission that I take on to continue to be an artist and make some extra money,” the rapper said.
He revealed that he feels a deep passion for acting, just like he does for music, and although he feels that acting is a much tougher terrain than music, he would not deny the freedom that comes with it, which is very different from making music in the studio.
Harlow confessed that he felt a slight compulsion to go all the way in hip-hop because of the tradition involved and the fact that he was a guest on the field. The rapper’s first acting stint was during an appearance on “Saturday Night Live” in 2021.
The “Industry Baby” hitmaker expressed her admiration for Dua Lipa
Harlow sparked speculation about dating Lipa after naming a song on his 2022 album after him, and he hasn’t been shy about admitting he admires the pop star. As stated by The Blast, he said on the track that he would be very interested in doing more than just a feature film with Lipa if the opportunity presented itself.
Luck finally fell to Harlow when he met Lipa in November 2022 at the Variety Hitmakers Brunch in Los Angeles. The following month, they were spotted separately entering and leaving the same restaurant within minutes of each other.
According to an insider, Harlow had flown to New York the day before to meet Lipa after her performance at the Z100 Jingle Ball. Another source added that Lipa also felt the same way about Harlow and could be on the page like him when it comes to pursuing things romantically.
Jack Harlow on his wild sexual encounters
Four years ago, the rapper revealed he lost his virginity not once but twice, and when he had sex at 18, he was reminded he had no prior sexual experience. He first shared that he lost his virginity at 16 and that his understanding of sex changed when he started seeing someone older.
He remembered that the lady was about six years older than him, and it had blown him away because she had taught him so many things about sex, even though he was far from ignorant on the subject. The rapper saw their first act of intimacy as a pivotal moment for him, and it was significant enough that he saw it as losing his virginity for the second time.
Harlow identified other benefits to the relationship aside from sex, including the lady coming to support him during his indoor soccer games and taking the team home after games. The rapper admitted that he was more than proud to admit to everyone that they had sex while she sat there watching him perform.
Will Jack Harlow’s latest album work magic on the charts?
