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Jack Harlow is a Kentucky-born rapper and songwriter who has been making waves in the music industry. Harlow first gained mainstream attention with his 2020 hit “What’s Poppin,” which quickly became a viral hit and earned him a top 10 spot on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Since then, he has continued to release chart-topping tracks and collaborate with other artists in the industry. One of his closest collaborators and friends is fellow rapper Lil Nas X.
Lil Nas X is an award-winning rapper and singer known for his hits like “Old Town Road” and “Montero (Call Me By Your Name)”. He has made headlines not only for his critically acclaimed music and bold fashion choices, but also for making history as the first openly gay rapper to win a Grammy.
It’s no secret that Jack Harlow and Lil Nas X have a pretty tight bond, and fans can’t help but wonder what exactly is going on between these two. From their joint music projects to their fun-filled social media posts, it’s clear that they share a special connection that goes beyond just being colleagues. So, let’s take a closer look at the friendship between these two talented artists to find out what makes their bond so special…
When Did Lil Nas X and Jack Harlow First Meet?
According to Lil Nas X, the duo first crossed paths on social media. After hearing Harlow’s music, Lil Nas X reached out to him on Twitter and expressed his admiration for his work. The two quickly hit it off and began chatting regularly online. Their friendship continued to grow, and towards the end of 2020, they finally met in person, solidifying their bond as friends and musical collaborators.
During a 2021 interview with Variety, Jack Harlow provided insight into his initial encounter with Lil Nas X and how their friendship blossomed. Harlow disclosed that the first time they met in person was after the production of “Industry Baby,” their collaborative hit single. However, they began interacting towards the end of 2020, where they admired each other’s social media activity and began communicating.
“We just admired each other’s social media activity, I thought he was hilarious, and I loved the way he was handling the internet. So we just started chopping it up – we got cool, followed each other, typical digital shit,” Harlow said of their early interactions.
In the interview, Harlow spoke candidly about Lil Nas X, acknowledging him as an important figure in the music industry. He expressed his admiration for the rapper, recognizing the significance of his representation and the community he represents.
“I think he’s giving a voice to a lot of people and kids who could use one. I think the community he represents could use someone who’s succeeding on a mainstream level – it doesn’t have to be a niche thing, it can feel like, Yo, you can be number one, you can be the greatest. I really recognize what he’s doing, and I think he gets a lot deeper than the jokes and whatever gimmicky stuff people wanna associate – I really think he’s an icon. I really recognize what he’s doing, and I admire him – I admired him long before we met,” Harlow stated.
Lil Nas X’s Collab With Jack Harlow Broke Records And Made History
Lil Nas X’s collaboration with Jack Harlow on the hit single “Industry Baby” was nothing short of a phenomenon. The song, which dropped on July 23, 2021, quickly broke records and became a chart-topping hit in multiple countries.
In fact, Industry Baby broke the record for the most views of a hip-hop video in 24 hours on YouTube, with over 32 million views. The song’s success could also be seen on streaming platforms, as it quickly climbed to the top of the charts on Spotify and Apple Music.
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Despite the breakthrough success, the music video certainly raised some eyebrows. Some viewers were critical of the video’s provocative content and the fact that it took place in a jail setting. Some felt that the video trivialized the experience of incarcerated people and perpetuated negative stereotypes about the prison system.
They felt that the overtly provocative content and suggestive imagery in the video were unnecessary and offensive. They also felt that Lil Nas X was using shock value to gain attention and that the video was inappropriate for younger audiences.
In response to the controversy, Lil Nas X defended the music video and its message in a tweet posted in 2021, the tweet read: “The truth is there is no attack. You view femininity as weakness. You don’t like gay black men because you are afraid of black men, as a whole, being viewed as weak. You cling on to your masculinity because without it, you have nothing else going for yourself.”
The song’s widespread success seemed to have brought the two artists even closer together. In interviews and on social media, both artists have expressed their respect and admiration for each other’s talent and work ethic.
Despite their different backgrounds and musical styles, Lil Nas X and Jack Harlow seem to have found common ground through their collaboration. They even went on to perform the song together during concerts and award ceremonies, cementing their friendship and musical partnership.
Why Fans Speculated That Lil Nas X And Jack Harlow Were Dating
Lil Nas X and Jack Harlow’s close friendship raised eyebrows among fans who speculated that the two may be more than just friends. However, Jack Harlow decided to address these rumors head-on during his Saturday Night Live monologue, where he served as both the host and musical guest.
In front of a live audience, Harlow quashed the dating rumors, stating, “I’ve heard people try to romantically link me and Lil Nas X as an item. I’m going to tell you right now: No, everything that happened between us was casual… and consensual… and one of the best nights of my entire life.”
The audience couldn’t help but burst into laughter, but Harlow quickly clarified, “working with him, working with him.”
Despite the jokes, it’s clear that Lil Nas X and Jack Harlow have a strong bond. In fact, the duo’s on-screen chemistry was so strong that some fans couldn’t help but wonder if there was more to their friendship.
But as Harlow’s SNL monologue made clear, the two are simply close friends and collaborators. And while the dating rumors may be put to rest, there’s no denying the musical magic that Lil Nas X and Jack Harlow create when they’re working together
