March 12, 2026, 5:02 a.m. ET
- Kentucky native Jack Harlow is a Grammy-nominated rapper with a number of chart-topping hits.
- Harlow’s fourth studio album, “Monica,” was launched on his birthday, March 13.
- In addition to his music profession, Harlow has acted in movies and carried out with the Louisville Orchestra.
- The rapper offers again to his hometown of Louisville by means of The Jack Harlow Foundation.
Kentucky native Jack Harlow has carved out a lane as one in all rap’s most charismatic exports, racking up a number of Grammy nominations and dropping chart‑toppers like “What’s Poppin” and “First Class.” His fourth studio album, “Monica” arrives on his birthday, March 13, as a result of, in fact, he’d give himself and his followers a gift.
Born in 1998, Harlow grew up in Louisville, a metropolis that reveals up in his music the way in which hometowns usually do for artists who genuinely like the place they’re from. He started writing and rapping at 12, first promoting selfmade mixtapes to classmates alongside t‑shirts that includes himself posed like Auguste Rodin’s “The Thinker,” sporting nothing however grey boxer‑briefs and black‑framed glasses.
Even early on, Harlow was identified for his devotion to pristine New Balance sneakers.
These days, he is a critically acclaimed artist with six Grammy nominations, practically 30 RIAA platinum certifications, and greater than 10 billion streams.
Here are 5 things to know about Kentucky native Jack Harlow:
What is Jack Harlow’s hottest music?
“What’s Poppin” proved to be Harlow’s defining second when it exploded on TikTook in 2020, the identical yr his debut album “That’s What They All Say” dropped in December with hits like “Tyler Herro.”
Suddenly, Harlow appeared to be all over the place, collaborating in 2021 on a verse on Eminem’s “Killer” remix and with Lil Nas X on the seven time platinum “Industry Baby.”
In 2022, the rapper served as host and musical visitor on NBC’s “Saturday Night Live.” Technically, it was his second time on the present — the primary time he hit the “SNL” stage was in March 2021, performing “Tyler Herro,” “What’s Poppin,” and “Same Guy” alongside Maroon 5 frontman Adam Levine.
How many albums has Jack Harlow launched?
Counting the March 13 launch of “Monica,” Harlow now has 4 studio albums.
His 2022 sophomore undertaking, “Come Home the Kids Miss You,” delivered the multi‑platinum smash “First Class” and featured a formidable roster of collaborators together with Justin Timberlake on “Parent Trap,” Pharrell Williams on “Movie Star,” Lil Wayne on “Poison,” and Drake on “Churchill Downs.”
The album additionally produced the highest 20 single “Nail Tech.”
His third studio album, “Jackman,” arrived in 2023 and is titled after his start identify. Although it didn’t match the business efficiency of his first two releases, the album made waves in Louisville for a distinct cause. Harlow’s shirtless cowl picture, shot in entrance of a dilapidated picket storage close to his childhood center faculty grew to become a neighborhood phenomenon. For weeks, followers drove hours simply to take footage on the website. The storage has since been torn down, however the temporary hometown pilgrimage it impressed grew to become a part of the album’s native lore.
His new album, “Monica,” contains the next checklist of songs: “Trade Places,” “Lonesome,” “Prague,” “My Winter,” “Move Along,” “All Of My Friends,” “Living Alone,” “Against The Grain,” and “Say Hello.”
What motion pictures, TV reveals has Jack Harlow starred in?
In 2023, Harlow made his cinematic debut within the Hulu remake of “White Men Can’t Jump.” Soon after he performed a legal caught up in a heist that goes disastrously mistaken in Apple TV’s “The Instigators” staring Matt Damon and Casey Affleck.
In interviews, Harlow stated he hopes to preserve appearing, however not on the expense of his music.
In one other surprising departure from his rapper roots, Harlow teamed up with the Louisville Orchestra for 2 “No Place Like Home 2024” performances in his hometown. Dressed in a double‑breasted go well with and tie, he carried out dwell, backed by the total orchestra beneath the course of Grammy-winning conductor Teddy Abrams.
The set included covers of Elvis Presley’s 1961 ballad “Can’t Help Falling in Love” and Frank Sinatra’s timeless normal “Fly Me to the Moon.”
Jack Harlow ‘Hometown Hero’ banner
To Louisville, Jack Harlow isn’t only a star — he’s a hometown hero.
In 2023, he was honored with an enormous banner on the facet of a brick warehouse on the fringe of downtown Louisville. During a ceremony attended by native and state dignitaries, Harlow talked about how surreal it felt to drive by means of the identical streets he grew up on and see his face hanging above them. It was a reminder of how far he’d come, from promoting mixtapes in highschool hallways to changing into an internationally acknowledged artist.
The banner, which is hung on the nook of Broadway and Barrett Avenue close to downtown Louisville, is sponsored by the Greater Louisville Pride Foundation. Banners are hung all through town of individuals from Louisville who use their nationwide and worldwide platforms to give again to town and make a distinction whereas sharing Louisville satisfaction.
Jack Harlow Foundation, charity work
The Jack Harlow Foundation is a philanthropic group based by the artist to reinvest in, uplift, and assist non-profit organizations in his hometown.
The basis has made donations to Louisville organizations together with AMPED, Center for Women and Families, Grace James Academy, Louisville Urban League, Metro United Way, The Ali Center, Louisville Ballet, and extra. In addition to his basis, Harlow is understood for giving again to his group by making visits to faculties together with his alma mater, Atherton High School.
Reach life-style and leisure reporter Kirby Adams at kadams@courier-journal.com
