Ben Marshall’s impression of Jack Harlow on Saturday Night Live last weekend was so spot-on that even the rapper’s family thought that was him on the sketch comedy show.
During the “Weekend Update” with Michael Che, Marshall slipped behind the news desk as Harlow — brown Kangol hat, rimless eyewear, and all (a sly jab at his look from the Marty Supreme premiere back in December). After being introduced as “the white rapper who recently made headlines for describing the sound of his new album by saying, ‘I got blacker,’” Marshall launched into a no-holds-barred impression of Harlow — taking on the online criticism of Harlow’s latest album, Monica, and listing off nicknames bestowed by the internet such as “LL Cool Whip” and “D’Anglo.”
On Monday, the real Harlow took the viral skit in stride and shared that it was so convincing that his aunt “actually though that was me.” In an Instagram Story of a photo of himself wearing a bonnet, Harlow wrote, “My aunt texted me and told me she was proud of me for going on SNL and addressing everything.”
Released on March 13, the neo-soul-leaning Monica is Harlow’s fourth studio album. While the record received mixed reviews, with some critics accusing Harlow of imitation and lacking authenticity, the rapper garnered backlash following comments on The New York Times‘ Popcast. When asked why he hadn’t made the now-predictable pivot toward pop or country, Harlow declared he’d gone “blacker” by making the neo-soul record. His remarks swiftly unleashed a flood of memes and criticism.
In a Rolling Stone review of the album, music editor Jeff Ihaza observed, “Had Harlow simply dropped it without explanation, the internet still would’ve clowned him. But at least then he might’ve seemed in on the joke.”
From Rolling Stone US
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