Jack Harlow Surprises Fans With His New Album “Jackman”
The latest and greatest from Jack Harlow has officially dropped. Fans were stunned Wednesday night after discovering a new album by the Grammy-nominated rapper. Jackman. was released on Friday, April 24th, with 10 tracks. Harlow shows signs of growth and maturity within the past several years, making this a reflection album. He is expressive in his rap, writing about real issues with twisty lyrics and a touch of his own personal twang.
The album starts off with a bang. “Common Ground” addresses the large gap between rap culture and privileged consumers, who “talk the talk” but don’t “walk the walk”. The beginning features a sample from Jades’ “When I Will See You Again.” Harlow explains the things that he’s noticing about the privileges between the “wanna-be” rappers and listeners who blindly subject themselves to hip-hop and rap to feel more rebellious. The track tells a story and is essentially a statement that hits the nail on the head. His message reigns clear on the track and is perfectly executed on “Common Ground.”
“Condescendin’ suburban kids growin’ up to be rap journalists
Writin’ urban myths about who they think is the best urban kid
And who the worst is and who’s authentic
And what the real hip-hop is and who’s all in it”
~Jack Harlow
In “They Don’t Love It,” Jack Harlow expresses his drive to succeed and shares his recent realizations about his work ethic. He acknowledges that he’s been working hard to improve and that he’s motivated to do better because he loves what he does, unlike some others who don’t share the same passion. Harlow’s delivery on the track is smooth and concrete, similar to his style on “Ambitious,” where he reflects on his journey to success over the years. He effectively portrays his evolving mindset through his lyrics, showcasing the different stages of his life.
“Ambitious nineteen-year-old
I just signed a deal, now my neck sub-zero
Mustache coming in, I really want a beard though
And I really think this might be my year though”
~Jack Harlow
![Jack Harlow - They Don't Love It [Official Music Video]](https://i0.wp.com/i.ytimg.com/vi/EU04UEnhv_o/hqdefault.jpg?w=860&ssl=1)
In track 4, “Is That Ight?” Jack Harlow explores the idea of living life on his own terms. He passionately expresses his desire for independence and the freedom to make his own choices. Throughout the song, Harlow repeatedly asks the question, “Is that alright?”He is actively seeking validation while simultaneously asserting his independence.
“Gang Gang Gang” is one of the highlights of the album. Harlow gets real and speaks about holding the people around you accountable. In the lyrics, he recalls his own friends from the past who have done bad things and rethinks the extent of the friendship. The hard-hitting lyrics really allow listeners to reflect on their own relationships.
“We hold accountable the ones we hold dear out of morals but mainly fear
The choice becomes clear
And years of camaraderie suddenly disappear
Almost like you never were here”
~Jack Harlow
In “Denver,” Jack Harlow showcases a different side of himself. The song opens with the vocals of Douglas Penn, which Harlow sings along to. That simple guitar riff sets the tone for the track. Harlow then delves into the challenges that come with being in the spotlight, including feeling lost due to the pressure of building expectations and the impact of social media. Midway through the song, Harlow breaks the fourth wall and reveals that the first verse was written during a time when he felt discouraged. This creates a confessional moment between Harlow and his listeners. However, he returns to the track to share that since writing that verse, he’s been feeling better about himself. The song offers a vulnerable and relatable side of Harlow, showing that he’s not afraid to open up about his struggles.
In “No Enhancers,” Jack Harlow shifts the tone of the album with a fun and flirty track. He expresses his preference for women who are natural and down-to-earth, rejecting the idea of enhancements. However, the song also touches on the struggles that some women face in trying to keep up with societal expectations. Despite this serious undertone, the overall vibe of the song remains light and playful, thanks to Harlow’s smooth flow and catchy hooks.
On the 8th track, “It Can’t Be”, Harlow bites back at the critics who judge his success based on just his skin color. He begins rapping about how that can’t be the only factor when he’s put in all the hard work to reach where he is today. His lyrics mention influential artists who shaped his craft and lyricism.
“It can’t be that I simply make ear candy
Especially when the industry could just plant me”
~Jack Harlow
“Blame On Me” is a powerful track that addresses the serious topic of generational trauma and hardship. Through his lyrics, Jack Harlow presents each verse as a confession, with each one revealing a deeper layer of the issue at hand. The first verse is a confession from a younger brother to his older brother, while the second is from the older brother to their father, and the third is from the father to the older brother. This structure highlights how the issue of generational trauma affects not only individuals but entire families.
The song speaks to the difficulty of breaking the cycle of trauma and the unwillingness to confront it head-on. Harlow’s lyrics reveal the fear and hesitance that often come with broaching such a deep and painful subject. The line “But I’m terrified of broaching the subject” highlights the weight and complexity of the issue and the difficulty of addressing it. “Blame On Me” is a thought-provoking and emotionally charged track that sheds light on an important topic that is often overlooked in mainstream music.
“Questions” leaves the last track on Harlow’s album to the listeners. The song consists of Harlow asking himself a series of questions that touch on a range of topics, reflecting on his experiences and the themes explored throughout the album.
The track serves as a fitting conclusion to the album, as it highlights the importance of self-reflection and asking ourselves tough questions to better understand ourselves and our place in the world.
In this thought-provoking, life-exploring, confessional tale, Jack Harlow proves his unique and treasured artistry in the world of today, revealing his unafraid attitude to confront the uncomfortable. Jackman. is an album that needs to continue to be mentioned for years to come.
Coming soon, Jack Harlow is debuting in the remake of the cult classic “White Men Can’t Jump”, View the official trailer below.
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