They Don't Love It Explained

They Don't Love It
Type:single
Artist:Jack Harlow
Album:Jackman
Genre:Hip hop
Length:1:53
Label:
Producer:Hollywood Cole
Prev Title:Backstage Passes
Prev Year:2022
Next Title:3D
Next Year:2023

"They Don't Love It" is a song by American rapper Jack Harlow. It was sent to Italian contemporary hit radio through Generation Now and Atlantic Records as the lead single from his self-titled third studio album, Jackman, on April 28, 2023, along with the album.[1] Harlow wrote the song with producer Kameron Cole. The song prominently samples "Can't Live Without You" by Connie Laverne, and as a result, its songwriter, gospel singer Timothy Wright, is also credited.

Composition and lyrics

The song received attention for Harlow saying that he is the "hardest white boy" since previous collaborator, fellow American rapper Eminem.[2] He subtly compares himself to the rapper in the lines: "Ya boy's strivin' to be the most dominant ever / The hardest white boy since the one who rapped about vomit and sweaters",[3] a similar line used by the rapper G-Eazy on the 2015 song "Calm Down" by saying: "And fuck it I'm the coldest white rapper in the game since the one with the bleached hair". The lines refer to Eminem rapping about vomiting after eating spaghetti that his mother made due to nervousness before participating in a rap battle on stage.[4] The lyrics received generally negative reviews from fans on social media, who felt that the late Mac Miller was more deserving of the title that Harlow gave himself.[5] Aaron Williams of Uproxx defended Harlow by saying: "And while, truthfully, 'best white rapper' is very much subjective, you have to admire the moxy Jack shows in making such a claim — and the smarts. There's no better promotion than some good, old-fashioned water cooler talk".[6] Other than the incident, the song "bursts out of the traps, the high-pitched vocal distortions aligned to free-flowing rhymes from the Kentucky artist".[7] Fellow white rapper Machine Gun Kelly responded to the Eminem lyrics a few days later, stating that Harlow "jacked man's whole swag" and "Give Drake his flow back".

Music video

The official music video for "They Don't Love It", directed by Eliel Ford, was released on May 1, 2023.[8] Harlow takes viewers through his hometown of Louisville, Kentucky as he visits his old schools (Bloom Elementary, Highland Middle School, and Atherton High School), plays soccer, and barbecues with his family and friends.[9] He also visits a local bookstore and sets fireworks in the field that he is playing at with his friends, while others warmly welcome him to the city.[10] Harlow also raps in a parking lot of a strip mall and hugs thrift store owners.[11] He sports a Kentucky Boy Tyler jacket as he rides in the back of a truck.[12]

Charts

Chart (2023)! scope="col"
Peak
position
Australia New Music Singles (ARIA)[13] 20
Australia Hip Hop/R&B (ARIA)[14] 30
New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ)[15] 2

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Tenaglia . Raffaella . JACK HARLOW "They Don't Love It" (Radio Date: 28/04/2023) . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230428205146/https://radiodate.it/radio-date/jack-harlow-they-don-t-love-it-235035-28-04-2023-radiodate/ . April 28, 2023 . April 28, 2023 . radiodate.it . it.
  2. Jack Harlow Says He's The 'Hardest White Boy' Since Eminem on New Album 'Jackman'. Callas. Brad. Complex. April 28, 2023. April 28, 2023.
  3. "Jackman": Jack Harlow Is The "Hardest White Boy" Since Eminem, He Says On New Album. Hynes. Hayley. HotNewHipHop. April 28, 2023. April 28, 2023.
  4. Jack Harlow Says He's The "Hardest" White Rapper Since Eminem. Brown. Preezy. Vibe. April 28, 2023. April 28, 2023.
  5. Mac Miller Trends On Twitter After Jack Harlow Makes Eminem Comparison On "Jackman". Hynes. Hayley. HotNewHipHop. April 28, 2023. April 28, 2023.
  6. Rap Fans Debate Jack Harlow's Place After He Declared Himself The Best White Rapper Since Eminem On 'Jackman'. Williams. Aaron. Uproxx. April 28, 2023. April 28, 2023.
  7. Web site: Murray . Robin . April 28, 2023 . April 28, 2023. Jack Harlow – Jackman . Clash.
  8. Jack Harlow Gives a Tour of Louisville in 'They Don't Love It' Video. Lamarre. Carl. Billboard. May 1, 2023. May 1, 2023.
  9. Jack Harlow drops off new visual for "They Don't Love It". Powell. Jon. Revolt. May 1, 2023. May 1, 2023.
  10. Jack Harlow's Appreciative 'They Don't Love It' Video Gives Fans A Tour Of Louisville. Williams. Aaron. Uproxx. May 1, 2023. May 1, 2023.
  11. Jack Harlow Claims He's the Best White Rapper After Eminem, Tours Louisville in New Video. Mier. Tomás. Rolling Stone. subscription. May 1, 2023. May 1, 2023.
  12. Jack Harlow Heads Home In 'They Don't Love It' Video. Devin. Rap-Up. May 1, 2023. May 1, 2023.
  13. Web site: ARIA Top 20 New Music Singles Chart. Australian Recording Industry Association. May 8, 2023. May 5, 2023.
  14. Web site: ARIA Top 40 Hip Hop/R&B Singles. Australian Recording Industry Association. May 8, 2023. May 5, 2023.
  15. Web site: NZ Hot Singles Chart. Recorded Music NZ. May 8, 2023. May 6, 2023.