“Common Ground,” the introduction to Jack Harlow’s third full-length studio album, Jackman., Harlow is seen rapping about the divide and arrogance between white-suburban children and black children raised in poorer neighborhoods, where each’s paths eventually cross.
“When Will I See You Again,” the...
[Intro]
Will I see you?
Just talkin' about what I see
It's not opinion-based, it's just, just shit I see (Uh)
[Verse 1]
The suburbs are filled with ebonics and trap sonics
Frat boys sayin', "No cap, put racks on it"
The dialect got a lil' splash of some black on it
Cap and gowns bought by the money in dad's pockets
White girls squattin' tryna get that ass poppin'
Caught back-talkin' to their mom and dads often
Recitin' rap lyrics 'bout murder and cash profit
Get to feel like a thug but don't have to act on it
Local homicide rates got 'em astonished
Readin' 'bout it on a laptop and pajamas
Microsoft Office to complete their assignments
Never seen the hood, still can't help but have comments
Never had a convo with a kid from that climate
That really has trauma, that really got taught to survive by any means
Fuck bitches, stack commas
Common ground ain't that common
[Verse 2]
The festivals are filled with Larry Bird jerseys
College students in a hurry to jump to a four-count and say the "N" word
Business interns takin' Molly then Percs
Tramplin' on top of bodies in dirt
Condescendin' suburban kids growin' up to be rap journalists
Writin' urban myths about who they think is the best urban kid
And who the worst is and who's authentic
And what the real hip-hop is and who's all in it
Thrift shoppin' for articles and garments
That feel like they came from a foreign environment
Secondhand Bape, Supreme, and Gallery Dept.
Anything to feel less harmless
Adderall dealers carryin' 'round guns just to make it feel realer
House with white pillars
No rough, just diamonds
The education private, it's all by design and
Common ground ain't that common (Let me hear that)
Common Ground was written by Dieyelle Reed & Emanuel Officer & Jack Harlow & Jay-Soul & Joi Marshall & Tonya Kelly & Niko The Great & Mike Wavvs & Angel López.
Common Ground was produced by Angel López & Jay-Soul & Mike Wavvs & Niko The Great.
Jack Harlow released Common Ground on Fri Apr 28 2023.
“Common Ground” debuted and peaked at #96 on the Billboard Hot 100 for the chart week ending May 13, 2023.
I would be hesitant to create a synopsis for any of these tracks, I’d rather continue to leave them up for interpretation. But more than anything, like I said at the beginning of the record, I’m just painting a picture of what I see. It’s what I’m observing in society and culture right now.
—Jack H...