Who Is Jack Harlow? [Setlist.Fm]

Setlist.Fm's weekly "Who Is" series is an immersive way to expose readers to up-and-coming indie acts that should be on your radar; written by music fans for music fans. Each week we feature an artist and/or band that's making waves in the music world. The "Who Is" pieces are a tell-all of the artist, showcasing everything from music and performance style, to influences and tour dates. Today we want you to get familiar with our latest hip hop obsession - Jack Harlow.

The 21-year-old rapper is on the fast track towards superstardom following the success of 2018′s project, Loose. Harlow was introduced early to a wide range of artists, thanks to his mother's love of hip-hop and his father's choice of country music. Harlow grew with the culture of Louisville and has since derived his music around the people and places that make up his hometown.

Harlow described to DJ Booth,    

"I came from a part of Louisville that's pretty diverse, with a lot of creative things going on. Louisville is a little more special [than other cities], there's a little more weirdness in the air...I'm proud to be from Kentucky. The experiences that I had as an individual, you know? The girls I talk to, the things I get into, the stories I have, it's all about where I'm from."

Moving from The Handsome Harlow EP to 18, to late 2017's Gazebo, each of Harlow's projects is crafted better than the next. His first mixtape, Finally Handsome, was released on Soundcloud back in 2014, and since then the rapper has found his confidence mastering melodic trap beats that are defining his sound.

Loose was Harlow's official debut with Atlantic Records and a stepping stone into fame. The album shows off his technical skills and allure, while reminding us of his youth and Louisville-bred personality. He elaborated,

"I've created a lot of music with a sort of impromptu style. 'Loose' is really when I started developing that from my free-styling in a booth and just having fun with the records. It's a balance between moving fast, catching a vibe, and tapping into yourself to talk about something specific."  

The rapper recently performed at a number of festivals this summer. He has no other tour dates planned, for now. But make sure to follow what he's up to on his Twitter! And to learn more about Harlow, visit Setlist.Fm's full "Who Is" feature.

Related Articles

Ishmael is the New Picasso Making High Art Hip-Hop [Q&A]

Ishmael is the New Picasso Making High Art Hip-Hop [Q&A]

July 2, 2026 Before he was soundtracking campaigns for YSL Paris, working with hip-hop juggernauts like Ciara and Vince Staples, and collaborating with luxury brands, Ishmael was just a kid from Rochester, New York.
Author: Kiani Shabazz
pop
YSL
casi Turn Twelve Years of Friendship Into an Explosive Self-Titled Debut

casi Turn Twelve Years of Friendship Into an Explosive Self-Titled Debut

June 23, 2026 For casi, that sentiment is bigger than a mission statement. It’s the natural result of two friends creating the kind of music they wish existed when they were younger.
Author: Alessandra Rincon
emo
Kenny Mason Turns Trash to Treasure With BULLDAWG

Kenny Mason Turns Trash to Treasure With BULLDAWG

May 26, 2026 At the center of the album, Kenny frames the world we live in as a “junkyard” — a place where artists, people and ideas are constantly challenged, judged, dismissed or repurposed. But the BULLDAWG isn’t interested in being defeated.
Author: Kiani Shabazz
rap