Jack Harlow Faces Backlash After Saying He ‘Got Blacker’ Making R&B Album

Jack Harlow found himself in the hot seat after making a problematic remark while discussing switching from rap to a more traditional rhythm and blues sound.

During a Thursday, March 12, appearance on The New York Times Popcast podcast, Harlow, 28, was asked whether he made a choice to not dive “into a whiter genre“ with his new R&B album.

“I got Blacker,” Harlow replied.

“Was that a little twist on the typical move that white rappers make, which is to retreat back into traditionally white sounds?” host Jon Caramanica asked.

The Louisville, Kentucky, native explained that it made what he “already wanted to do even more appealing.”

“I think I love Black music. I love the sound of Black music,” Harlow continued. “And of course, I’m hyper aware of the politics of today, that safer landing spot that a lot of my white contemporaries have found.”

He added that there “were multiple things appealing” to him about making an R&B album.

It didn’t take long for several people to call the “Denver” singer out on his phrasing.

“Saying ‘I got Blacker’ is a wild choice of words ngl,” one person wrote via X.

Another added, “People really think we are costumes to be worn. The dehumanization,” while a third chimed in and said, “He definitely could have left out the ‘I got Blacker’ part.”

However, not everybody slammed Harlow, with one person writing, “At least Jack Harlow is acknowledging where the sound comes from instead of pretending otherwise.”