Cannonball with Wesley Morris ‘Popcast’: Jack Harlow Talks Race and Ego
Apr 16, 2026
Jack Harlow, rapper and singer from Louisville known for hits like "What’s Poppin'" and "First Class," talks about shifting into melodic R&B on his album Monica. He explains choosing an egoless, live-band approach, leaning into Black musical touchstones, and rethinking fame, songwriting, and visual identity. The conversation touches on therapy, moving to New York, and the rules he set for this record.
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Pivoting To Egoless Melodic Music
- Jack Harlow pivoted to an egoless, melodic record because he was no longer excited by projects that felt like self-display.
- He intentionally pursued softer R&B sounds and rules to make music that felt truthful and less about braggadocio.
Accept Fragmented Understanding Over Time
- Be patient with your audience and build your arc gradually rather than forcing full understanding in one project.
- Harlow references Tyler, Drake, Kendrick as artists whose breadth was revealed over a decade of incremental work.
Genre Mobility Comes With Racial Politics
- Jack acknowledges white rappers gain freedom to change genres after proving themselves, then can pivot into safer, often whiter, landing spots.
- He consciously chose the opposite: leaning deeper into black music and R&B because he genuinely loved the sound.