Grammy nominated Louisville rapper Jack Harlow continues to show up all over the place. Since the release of his debut album That’s What They All Say, Harlow has seen his fame skyrocket.
From a Grammy nomination to recording a remix with some of the biggest names in rap to spending time with NBA players like Tyler Herro and even trainer Chris Brickley (a former Louisville basketball walk-on), Harlow has been soaking in his new place in the spotlight. He’s had videos of him rapping as a kid liked by Drake and Kendrick Lamar. He was a featured artist at the Super Bowl, played in a celebrity flag football game, and more.
The Louisville native is earning more acclaim seemingly by the day and proudly repping his hometown roots.
The Tiny Desk concert series has been around for quite some time now, but it was the first time Harlow appeared.
Tiny Desk has a soft spot in my hearts of many hip hop fans thanks to artists like Gucci Mane, T-Pain, and the late Mac Miller. While Harlow’s style isn’t traditionally one that would align with the series, he showed a variety that we yet to see.
Harlow performed a compilation of songs from his new album, including “Rendezvous,” “21C,” “Funny Seeing You Here,” “Same Guy,” “Creme,” and “What’s Poppin.”
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A major takeaway from this tiny desk is Harlow’s use of a live band- Something rather uncommon for modern hip hop artists.
Harlow’s switch to a slower, crisp, more musically focused style was a breath of fresh air. Replacing synthetics with a keyboard, guitar, drum, and vocalists made songs like 21C even better (IMO) than what they were on the album.
Known for his ability to make catchy songs without a traditional chorus, Harlow found a way to create space in his music. R&B backing vocalists accentuate and even elevate Harlow’s melodies. The guitar and base turn mega-hit “What’s Poppin” into a jam session that would intrigue a variety of audiences. Hi-hat variations on “21C/ Delta” take an underrated jam to the next level.
Harlow was pegged by many as a one-hit wonder. That’s What They All Say received mixed reviews. Yet, this Tiny Desk feels like a new, fresher side of Harlow. His vocals are, as one Twitter user put it, what Drake wishes his auto-tune sounds like.
It’s just one performance, but it appears Jack Harlow is just brushing the surface of his capabilities as an artist and entertainer.
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