Jackman (album)

''Jackman'' is the third studio album by American rapper Jack Harlow. It was a semi-surprise album released on through Generation Now and Atlantic on April 28, 2023. Harlow handled production on the album, along with a variety of other producers including, FnZ, DJ Dahi and Boi-1da. It was supported the lead single " They Don't Love It" as well as additional music videos for "Gang, Gang, Gang" and "Denver". NBA star Jamal Murray makes an appearance in the "Denver" music video.

The album was mixed by Nickie Jon Pabón and mastered by Chris Athens, while Urban Wyatt created the album cover. ''Jackman'' reached No. 1 on ''Billboard'''s Top Rap Albums chart. It received a nomination for Hip Hop Album of the Year at the 2023 BET Hip Hop Awards.

Background

On April 26, 2023, without any previous implications, Harlow took to his social media accounts to announce the album, release date, and reveal its cover art. The cover depicts Harlow shirtless, standing with his arms crossed in an alleyway beside trash cans in the Highlands neighborhood of Louisville, Kentucky with a slightly washed-out filter. A noticeable hoop is attached to a garage behind him. The album is titled after Harlow's given first name, Jackman. It arrived just a month ahead of his acting debut in a 2023 adaption of ''White Men Can't Jump''.

Music and lyrics

''Jackman'' was noted for featuring "soulful loops and boom bap production". Lyrically, Harlow mostly reflects on "his own struggles with family, fame, and his place in the rap game" while "sometimes commenting on society at large". On " Common Ground", Harlow "addresses the ways in which some white rap fans have become cultural tourists who embrace and appropriate the hip-hop lifestyle while cloaked in privilege." On " They Don't Love It", he "boasts about his status as the best white rapper since Eminem". "Gang Gang Gang" is "a tale of how the best people in your life can grow up to become the worst people possible". On "It Can't Be", he quiets "doubters who think his skin tone is the only reason for his success" and attributes it to "his tireless hustle, attention to detail and simple good-dude energy". On "Blame on Me", he raps about "the effects of toxic masculinity on the psyches of men and boys through multigenerational perspectives". "Questions" is about "reflecting on his rise to stardom, and dealing with the responsibilities that come with fame".

Critical reception

''Jackman'' received mixed reviews from critics. At Metacritic, it has an average score of 60 out of 100 based on 6 reviews.

Some critics praised Harlow's lyricism and authenticity. Noah Grant of ''HotNewHipHop'' wrote that "anybody who wanted something that felt extremely authentic from the rapper will be very pleased with the new release." Robin Murray of '' Clash'' claimed that ''Jackman'' is Harlow's "best, most in-depth" album yet. Christopher Weingarten of ''Rolling Stone'' wrote that the album is "a step up in lyricism that shows that Harlow has much, much more to offer". In a review for '' Pitchfork'', Heven Haile wrote that Harlow was "aiming for clarity" with "soft, expensive beats and cloyingly intimate storytelling."

On the other hand, some critics found the album superficial and incomplete. Paul Attard of ''Slant Magazine'' pointed out that Harlow "operates in two contradictory modes: pedaling surface-level platitudes or going for easy humble brags." ''AllMusic'' wrote that the album feels "incomplete or partially thought out". Nina Hernandez of ''HipHopDX'' wrote that the album sounds "disjointed and dull".

Year-end lists

Awards and nominations

Commercial performance

''Jackman.'' debuted at number eight on the US ''Billboard'' 200 chart, earning 33,500 album-equivalent units, including 1,500 pure sales. The album also accumulated a total of 43.40 million on-demand streams of the album's songs. The album is Harlow's third top-ten debut on the ''Billboard'' 200 and is his first number-one on the Top Rap Albums chart.

Track listing

Notes
* "Is That Ight?" features uncredited background vocals by Lauren Santi.
* "No Enhancers" features background vocals from James Savage, who was mentioned in the song "They Don't Love It".

Sample credits
* "Common Ground" contains excerpts from "When Will I See You Again", written by Joi Marshall, Tonya Kelly and Diyelle Reed, as performed by Jade.
* "They Don't Love It" contains excerpts from "Can't Live Without You", written by Timothy Wright, as performed by Connie Laverne.
* "Ambitious" contains excerpts from "Living My Life Just for You", written by Alice Sanderson, Keith Echols and Tony Miller, as performed by 7th Wonder.
* "Gang Gang Gang" contains excerpts from "Baby Lulu", written by Timothy Gane and Lætitia Sadier, as performed by Stereolab.
* "Denver" contains excerpts from "Do You Know", written and performed by Douglas Penn.
* "It Can't Be" contains excerpts from "I Love You Dawn", written and performed by Bill Withers.
* "Blame on Me" contains excerpts from "Blame", written by Ryan Hawken, as performed by Gray Hawken.

Charts

Weekly charts

Year-end charts

References

{{Jack Harlow

2023 albums
Atlantic Records albums
Jack Harlow albums
Albums produced by FnZ
Albums produced by DJ Dahi
Albums produced by Boi-1da
Generation Now albums