Jack Harlow Didn’t Know Brandy Was Ray J’s Sister
Rapper Jack Harlow burst onto the scene at the turn of the decade with songs like “Tyler Herro” and “What’s Poppin.” The Kentucky-bred MC has been immersed in music since he was a child, and appreciates musicians of all kinds and their contributions to music. That doesn’t mean, however, that he knows how some famous musicians are related, like singers Brandy and Ray J.
Jack Harlow is a prominent young rapper
Jack Harlow first started rapping when he was in middle school, distributing mixtapes to his classmates at school. He continued to record and release music through high school, and later moved from Louisville to Atlanta in an attempt to launch his music career.
Harlow released his debut album That’s What They All Say in 2020, fronted by singles like “What’s Poppin'”, which ended up reaching No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The following year, he earned his first No. 1 on the chart: “Industry Baby,” his earth-shattering collab with fellow Gen Z breakout rapper Lil Nas X.
In 2022, Harlow released his sophomore album Come Home the Kids Miss You. The album’s single “First Class,” which samples Fergie’s 2006 smash hit “Glamorous,” became Harlow’s first solo No. 1 hit on the Hot 100 chart.
Jack Harlow didn’t know Brandy was Ray J’s sister
Despite having been in the music world for half of his life, there are a few things Harlow has continued to learn along the way. During a May 2022 appearance on Hot 97, hosts Ebro, Laura Stylez, and Peter Rosenberg played Brandy‘s song “Angel in Disguise” and asked him to identify the singer. He incorrectly guessed Aaliyah, and Rosenberg tried to give him a clue by alluding to Brandy’s famous brother, Ray J, and his infamous sex tape with Kim Kardashian.
“Her brother is the reason why a lot of people are famous you could argue,” Rosenberg said. Still, Harlow didn’t know who he was listening to.
“Who’s Ray J’s sister?” Jack asked in shock. Finally, he put two and two together, admitting he didn’t know the relationship between the two singers. “Brandy and Ray J are siblings? Nobody’s ever told me that in my life!”
“Angel in Disguise” was on Brandy’s 1998 Never Say Never album. The album was released the same year Harlow was born.
India Arie criticized Jack Harlow
Many hip-hop fans were furious and confused that Harlow didn’t know about Brandy and Ray J’s familial relationship. One artist who took issue with Harlow’s ignorance was Grammy-winning singer India Arie.
“Just because you make Black music doesn’t mean you know Black culture,” she said on her Instagram Stories. “If you don’t know Brandy’s voice when you hear it … WHO EVEN ARE YOU?”
“WHEN AN ACTUAL MUSICIAN! WHO MAKES BLACK MUSIC deduces one of the industries MOST IMPORTANT VOICES @Brandy to [Ray J’s] SISTER? who is famous (mostly) for his proximity to Kim Kardashian,” she added.
