Song Exploder Jack Harlow - Say Hello
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Mar 25, 2026 Jack Harlow, an American rapper and singer from Louisville with multiple number-one hits, talks about reshaping his sound on his fourth album, Monica. He explains choosing melody-first writing, leaning into neo-soul and live instruments, collaborating with Axl and Robert Glasper, adding trumpet and nature sounds, and why “Say Hello” closes the record on an optimistic note.
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Choosing A North Star To Change Direction
- Jack Harlow found his next direction by deliberately choosing a distinct North Star after scrapping an album he felt repeated himself.
- He took three weeks off, walked and asked what his ear craved, landing on melodic, timeless music as the guiding principle.
Use Specific Rules To Shape An Album
- Set concrete creative rules to force specificity and avoid repeating past work.
- Harlow's rules included no braggadocio, always melodic singing, no curse words, and live instruments except programmed drums.
How Say Hello Started In The Studio
- Say Hello began when Axl Arvid played a beat with Jermaine Paul's bass and Rhodes, and Harlow sat with shades on listening for 20 minutes.
- He immediately felt it referenced Slum Village and Outkast and knew it fit the project's neo-soul direction.