Jack Harlow

The pair sold copies to middle school classmates and kick-started Harlow’s passion to create his own music in the genre.

After experimenting with rap in various mixtapes, Harlow continued his venture throughout high school. In 2015, his debut EP The Handsome Harlow was the artist’s first taste of commercial success. Popularity in his hometown skyrocketed and allowed him to open in Louisville for highly acclaimed musician Vince Staples.

Harlow continued working hard to expand his skills – and his profile. Collaborations on his 2016 mixtape 18 proved his place among other Louisville stars like Ace Pro, Ronnie Lucciano, and 2forWoyne. As Harlow’s repertoire grew, so did his fame. He had numerous singles and mixtapes like “Routine” and “Dark Knight” under his belt. It was no surprise he landed an opening act spot on Portugal. The Man‘s 2018 tour. Soon enough, his music started to reach intrigued listeners across the country.

Later in 2018, Harlow moved to Atlanta. He found solace in hip-hop culture and secured a contract with the record label Generation Now. His mixtape Loose swiftly followed up this big-time deal. Despite his quick rise to fame, Harlow stayed true to his roots and featured Louisville natives on the highly anticipated release. Loose proved its worth and earned the up-and-coming rapper a well-deserved Best Mixtape nomination at the 2019 BET Hip-Hop Awards.

Confetti followed up Loose and included 12 tracks, including “Thru the Night,” a collaboration with Bryson Tiller. Confetti propelled Harlow’s hip-hop status to new heights and paved the way to his becoming a viral phenom.

Thanks to TikTok, Harlow’s 2020 next single “What’s Poppin” redefined the meaning of success in the modern music world. Like other artists, Harlow dealt with unpredictable circumstances as the pandemic progressed. However, he didn’t throw in the towel. More collaborations with G-Eazy, DaBaby, and Lil Wayne laid the foundation for Harlow’s stellar rap reputation.

This collection of collabs appeared on Harlow’s first full-length LP That’s What They All Say in 2020. The album was a remarkable breakthrough, further cementing the artist’s potential in the new rap generation. It sat comfortably at number five in the U.S. and became a certified streaming platform smash.

When 2022 arrived, Harlow sought to make something as game-changing as That’s What They All Say. His album Come Home the Kids Miss You was a defining effort, including must-listen features from Justin Timberlake, Drake, Pharrell Williams, and more. Harlow continues to prove himself a force in hip-hop today with additional high-profile collabs and new singles on the way. A handful of the album’s singles made their way onto the U.S. charts and kept the rapper’s popularity at an all-time high.

Harlow’s signature rap style keeps fans on their toes. Perhaps it’s all thanks to his humble beginnings as an aspiring hip-hop artist. Whether on or off the stage, Harlow shows off an undeniable charisma, and his crafty lyricism shows off his fun and relatable personality. Ultimately, Harlow always succeeds in connecting with old and new fans. His social media status and knack for going viral help him leave a memorable mark in the rap scene.