Music

Jack Harlow on What People Will Remember 'For Years' About Kanye's 'Donda,' Says He Doesn't Rap About Being White

In an interview with 'GQ,' Jack Harlow shares his opinion on what people will remember regarding Kanye's 'Donda' rollout and what it means to be a white rapper.

Jack Harlow at a Boston Celtics Game
Image via Getty/Paras Griffin
Getty

Jack Harlow’s star continues to rise.

Just last week, his collaboration with Lil Nas X, “Industry Baby” peaked at No.1 on the Billboard Hot 100—a record that Kanye West also contributed to, as co-writer and co-producer.

Harlow has his own opinions about Ye’s latest Donda-related capers. In a new interview with GQ, the Louisville native touched on Kanye’s recent aesthetic, which lately has included a lot of Balenciaga and a penchant for masks.

“I think he sees himself as Mozart or Beethoven,” Harlow said of Yeezy. “I think he’s worried, not about what it looks like now but what it will look like in 100 years. Take what happened with the Taylor Swift situation: at the time it was all pitchforks, but now people treat that as iconic. I am always fascinated to see what he does next. This Donda roll-out, people are going to remember that for years.”

Elsewhere, Harlow opened up on what it means to be a white person who raps for a living. “I have serious imposter syndrome the whole way through,” he explained. “And then you have to bounce with it and you feel like you are totally where you are supposed to be. Moments of self-doubt combined with moments of I am who I think I am.”

He continued, “I think what has worked for me is that my music has never been about the fact that I am white. I don’t try to lean into the, ‘Hey, I’m the white boy.’ I try not to make it a novelty. I rap from the heart, rather than trying to do a white version of the art form.”

For more of the interview, you can read it here.

Related Stories

Jack Harlow "Luv Is Dro" music video.
Music

Jack Harlow and Bryson Tiller Rep for Louisville in "Luv Is Dro" Video f/ the Late Static Major

Louisville, Kentucky natives Jack Harlow and Bryson Tiller connect in the throwback-inspired music video for "Luv Is Dro" featuring Static Major.

Jordan Rose1758 days ago
Lil Nas X and Jack Harlow at the MTV VMAs
Music

Lil Nas X and Jack Harlow's "Industry Baby" Hits No. 1 on Billboard Hot 100

Lil Nas X’s “Industry Baby” with Jack Harlow is now the No. 1 song in the U.S., following a weeks-long journey to take over the throne on the Hot 100.

Brenton Blanchet1761 days ago
th
Style

Jack Harlow Featured in Tommy Hilfiger's New 'Pass The Mic' Campaign

The brand's 'Pass the Mic' campaign is designed to send out the message that everyone has the power to change the world with their own voice.

Trace William Cowen1787 days ago

Stay ahead on Exclusives

Download the Complex App