Jack Harlow’s Song of the Summer win at the 2022 MTV Video Music Awards apparently doesn’t sit well with Nigerian star Burna Boy.
The Louisville, Kentucky rapper’s hit single “First Class” emerged victorious in the fan-decided category, beating out the likes of Beyoncé’s “Break My Soul,” Future’s “Wait For U” and Lizzo’s “About Damn Time.”
It was one of four awards Harlow collected on the night, making him the most decorated artist at this year’s VMAs. “Happy as hell,” he tweeted after the show. “My fans are the shittt. Thank you for everything.”
Despite not being nominated himself, Burna Boy seemingly threw shade at Harlow earlier this week when he posted a TikTok video showing a parade of people dancing to his song “Last Last” paired with a message that read: “When MTV says Jack Harlow has Song of the Summer.”
The dancehall star added in the caption: “Wow so many heartbroken people [sad face emoji] #LastLast #Songofthesummer.”
@burnaboyofficial Wow so many heartbroken people ? #LastLast #Songofthesummer ♬ Last Last – Burna Boy
Taken from Burna Boy’s latest album Love, Damini, “Last Last” has become a staple at parties, concerts and on the radio. The Toni Braxton-sampling song peaked at No. 63 on the Billboard Hot 100 while enjoying chart success internationally.
The track has racked up over 70 million global streams on Spotify, according to Kworb, while its accompanying video has amassed more than 65 million views on YouTube.
Jack Harlow’s “First Class,” meanwhile, debuted at No. 1 on the Hot 100 in April, becoming his first solo song to top the chart. Taken from Harlow’s sophomore album Come Home the Kids Miss You, the song found early success on TikTok, gaining almost 30 million views before its official release.
Lil Uzi Vert Defends Jack Harlow Amid White Privilege Debate
This isn’t the first time Harlow’s success has drawn criticism. After earning three nominations at the 2021 BET Awards (Best Male Hip Hop Artist, Best New Artist and Best Collaboration), some questioned why he was recognized by a company named Black Entertainment Television over Black artists.
“Listen I fucks with Jack Harlow. But how is it that he got 3 noms but Lil Nas X got zero?” one fan tweeted. “So the BET Awards can recognize non black artists but not black queer artists? Ugh.”
“First Class” fueled more debates around race in Hip Hop earlier this year following its Billboard Hot 100 success, with Top Dawg Entertainment president Terrence “Punch” Henderson claiming white artists have it easier than their Black counterparts.
“It’s really crazy how exceptional we have to be as oppose to other folks,” he tweeted. “They just need a C+ average basically. If that. We really have to talk about it at some point.
“Kendrick is fine. He’s been going hard at a high level from 04-2018 as far as output. He can take as much time as he wants. But he’s also experienced C+ artist get more acclaim and opportunity than his A+ efforts. Look at his first Grammy experience.”
He added: “I guess I wasn’t really clear here because a lot of ppl missed the point. Racism. Systemic racism. That’s the point.”
the answer is simple folks. industry plant, every few years theyll place one in the game.
Somebody said it. Industry planet indeed. Jack Harlow is dreadful . Just because he is White, he can be mediocre and still get rewarded for it. But I blame Black folks though. We gave him a pass and we never want to make something great. We keep clout chasing or chasing everybody else’s sound. While this White boy comes in and drops mediocre material and gets labeled the new King of Hip Hop. It’s crazy to me
“Just because he is white, he can be mediocre and still get rewarded for it. But I blame black folks though.” You’re not alone in this mindset.
I’m black but don’t agree with this BS. Jack Harlow is the bast rapper out there at the moment. Can’t understand what the fuss is abt Burma boy, 4get colour, Jack is it!!!!
Jealousy is an ugly thing. Burma boy should do better.
Lol. What more does he have to prove? And it is Burna boy not Burma boy.
I’m white been listening to hip hop for 30 years. I can’t stand Jack Harlows music and I’m from around Louisville. He is not even mediocre to me.
Ok whitey, whatever you say.
“You’re taking everything I worked for motherfu**er!”
Everyone hating cause hes white, but jack is probably the most ‘hip-hop’ out of all the rappers out nowadays. Stop letting color blind you, jack will get the torch when em hangs it up. Who else could take the torch?
Apart from the fact that Burna boy is a highly decorated African artist with a Grammy to his name. The real issue is the misinformation in the blog. The video wasn’t his originally and the caption read so many heartbroken people. It was a break up song. There wasn’t and isnt shade, btw Harlow is good but Damini is the goat fr.