Jack Harlow Reflects on Eminem Song That Changed His Life

In a recent installment of Rolling Stone’s “My Life in 10 Songs” video series, Jack Harlow offered a rare glimpse into the formative influences that shaped his trajectory as a rapper. Selecting Eminem’s legendary anthem “‘Till I Collapse” as the fourth most impactful track of his life, Harlow reflected on the visceral connection he felt toward Slim Shady during his youth. Describing the magnetic pull of the track, Harlow noted, “‘Till I Collapse,’ Eminem with Nate Dogg. When you’re young, I just speak for me, when I was introduced to rap, so much of what resonated with me was the bravado and empowerment that would come from listening to it.”

For Harlow, the appeal lay in the stark contrast between his own laid-back demeanor and the relentless aggression displayed by Marshall Mathers. He elaborated on this dynamic, stating, “So, you listen to somebody with that much intensity, honestly an intensity that my nature has never been able to match. We are just two different types of people but at young age it was just very empowering to hear somebody rapping with so much confidence and such a chip on their shoulder. And as a whole, that’s what was appealing about rap. It’s just so powerful. The best rap music is motivational. It just motivates you.” This admiration wasn’t just aesthetic; it served as the blueprint for Harlow’s own aspirations within the genre.

This childhood fandom eventually came full circle in 2021 when Harlow was invited to join Eminem on the “Killer (Remix),” alongside Cordae. The collaboration was a definitive “passing of the torch” moment for the new generation of lyricists, and Harlow made sure to pay homage to his roots in his verse. Referencing his early days as a fan, Harlow rapped, “I used to rock a toboggan, headphones around my neck, tryna be like Shady / Now the phone that’s in my pocket seem to keep vibratin’… I’m on a song with my idol I’m a cold-blooded version of the song title.” The track solidified Harlow’s status as a formidable lyricist capable of standing toe-to-toe with his idol on a high-speed, technical display of showmanship

Beyond the recording booth, the connection between the two artists grew into a significant personal milestone for Harlow. During the Rolling Stone interview, he revealed that while they have yet to meet in person, they shared a pivotal phone conversation that left a lasting impact on him. “Me and Eminem, we didn’t get to meet but we talked on the phone and he said some great things that I really needed to hear at that time,” Harlow shared. “It was an honor to work with him. That’s one of my favorite things of my career.” For a young artist who grew up soundtracking his life with Eminem’s discography, receiving direct validation from the source was a career-defining validation.

Despite the success of their collaboration and the mutual respect established, Harlow hinted that the two haven’t maintained consistent contact in recent years. However, the door remains open for a future reunion between the Louisville star and the rap icon. Closing his thoughts on the relationship, Harlow expressed a genuine desire to reconnect with the man who helped motivate his rise to the top of the charts, saying, “We have not talked in a while but I’d love to rekindle.” Given their shared history on the “Killer” remix, fans are left hoping that a second collaboration might eventually emerge from that rekindled flame.

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