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Jack Harlow says he 'got blacker' on his new album and people have thoughts

Story by Curtis M. Wong

Mar 16 • 2 min read • Updated 1d ago

Jack Harlow says his new album represents a re-entrenchment in his musical style, but his problematic claim about his latest sonic approach isn’t exactly winning him new fans.

Appearing on The New York Times’ “Pop cast” last week, the Kentucky-born rapper and singer said he’d opted to emphasize his love of R&B while recording “Monica,” released Friday, rather than delve into genres like country or pop-rock.

“I got Blacker,” Harlow, who is white, said. “I love Black music. I love the sound of Black music. And, of course, I’m hyper-aware of the politics of today — the safer landing spot that a lot of my white contemporaries have found.”

The six-time Grammy nominee went on to note that he hoped to take “the route that might not be expected,” but is “the one I genuinely want to take” in the studio this time around.

It didn’t take long for Harlow’s remarks to draw a blistering response online, with many slamming him for cultural appropriation ― which he and his musical peers, including Machine Gun Kelly and Post Malone, have been accused of before ― as well as just a cringey choice of words.

“Got Blacker is wild,” rapper and producer Terrence “Punch” Henderson Jr., who has worked with Kendrick Lamar and SZA, wrote on X. “How exactly does one get ‘Blacker’?”

On Instagram, another person wrote: “I don’t care what point anybody is trying to make. I don’t ever want to hear a white man say ‘I got Blacker’ ever again.”

Jack Harlow Says He ‘Got Blacker’ On His New Album And People Have Thoughts

While others blasted Harlow as “Ghostface Vanilla” and the “most performative white dude ever,” some pointed out the many white performers who have referenced the work of Black musicians without acknowledgement, and commended him for “being honest about the influence.”

“It’s a bold move that shows he’s committed to authenticity and respecting the roots of the music,” one person wrote.

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Representatives for Harlow didn’t immediately respond to HuffPost’s request for comment.

Whether the rapper and singer’s comments will impact the success of “Monica” in the long term remains to be seen.

Early reviews of the album, however, have been mostly positive, with Variety calling it “a reverent but respectful reflection of its influences.”

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 16: Jack Harlow attends SNL50: The Anniversary Special on February 16, 2025, at 30 Rockefeller Center in New York City. (Photo by Taylor Hill/FilmMagic) (Photo: Taylor Hill via Getty Images)