WHATS POPPIN

"WHATS POPPIN" is a multifaceted anthem that primarily serves as Jack Harlow's declaration of his arrival and success in the hip-hop world. At its core, the song is an exercise in braggadocio, with Harlow flexing his newfound wealth, status, and the plethora of "options" that come with it—from cars to women. The titular phrase, a common slang greeting for "What's going on?", is repurposed as a confident, rhetorical question to the world, announcing his vibrant and flourishing career. The lyrics celebrate the fruits of his labor, but also delve into the personal and social shifts that accompany fame. Harlow touches on the jealousy and resentment he experiences, even from former friends, a common theme for artists on the rise. He juxtaposes his ambition and drive ("Some people call it a scary obsession... I like to call it a passion") with the stagnation of others, positioning himself as someone constantly evolving. The song is also a statement of self-assurance and confidence, which Harlow has stated he hopes to inspire in his listeners, reflecting what rap music did for him growing up.

The song chronicles Jack Harlow's ascent in the music industry and the lifestyle that accompanies his rising fame. It opens with the quintessential hip-hop symbol of success: acquiring a brand-new luxury car. This immediately sets a braggadocious tone, which is reinforced by the line, "I got options," a recurring theme suggesting an abundance of choices in women, money, and opportunities. He compares his skill in navigating these options to the legendary basketball point guard John Stockton, famous for his assists, using a clever sports metaphor to imply he can easily pass women to his friends. However, he quickly clarifies he's "just joshin'," adding a layer of playful charm to his boasting.

Harlow then shifts to a more introspective and disciplined mindset, mentioning he's spending a holiday "locked in" and has detoxified his body. This points to a focus on his career and well-being amidst the temptations of fame. Throughout the verses, he weaves together personal anecdotes and pop culture references. He mentions his Louisville roots, eating at a local Italian restaurant, and his childhood crush on the character Shego from the animated series "Kim Possible." These details create a more relatable persona, grounding the high-flying boasts in personal reality.

A significant portion of the lyrics deals with the social dynamics of success. Harlow touches on feeling resentment from various directions, including from old friends who may not be genuinely happy for his achievements. He expresses frustration with receiving unsolicited advice from people who haven't achieved similar success, highlighting his own focus on self-improvement and evolution. He contrasts his growth with the stagnation of others, a theme that underscores his drive and ambition. The line, "I'm drinking water and wearing protection," serves as a dual metaphor for taking care of his physical health and protecting himself from the negative influences and potential pitfalls of the industry. The track concludes with a firm assertion of his position. He reminds listeners that many weren't paying attention to him before his success and, as a result, he is now declining requests for features, signaling a new level of status and demand. The song is a confident declaration of arrival, a snapshot of a young artist navigating the complexities of fame with a blend of swagger, self-awareness, and dedication to his craft.

"WHATS POPPIN" was released on January 21, 2020, as the lead single from Jack Harlow's EP, Sweet Action. The track was produced by the trio of Pooh Beatz, JetsonMade, and LosTheProducer. The collaboration between Pooh Beatz and JetsonMade was their second, following their work on DaBaby's hit "Suge". The producers were actively looking to work with a "fresh" artist. Pooh Beatz's brother introduced him to Harlow's music, and both producers felt he was the right fit for their sound. The creation of the beat was a lesson in simplicity. The producers started with a more complex loop, but stripped it down and chopped it up to create the song's signature bouncy, minimalist piano melody, believing a simpler beat allows the artist more creative space. The song's title reportedly came from a studio conversation where Pooh Beatz encouraged Harlow to rap about "popping shit," which led to the hook "What's poppin'". The entire track came together quickly in one session. The music video, directed by the influential Cole Bennett of Lyrical Lemonade, was released the same day and was crucial to the song's initial viral explosion.

The song's structure is built on a foundation of trap rhythm and a clever rhyme scheme that enhances its catchiness. The tempo is upbeat and drives the song forward, built upon a signature 808 drum pattern that emphasizes a strong downbeat with syncopated snares and rapid-fire hi-hats, a hallmark of the genre. This creates a bouncy, infectious groove. Lyrically, Harlow employs a relatively complex rhyme scheme that goes beyond simple end rhymes. He makes extensive use of internal rhymes and assonance within his bars. For example, in the lines "I'ma spend this holiday locked in / My body got rid of them toxins / SportsCenter, top ten," the 'ock-in' and 'ox-in' sounds create a tight, percussive lyrical flow that meshes perfectly with the beat. The hook itself, "What's poppin'? / Brand new whip, just hopped in / I got options / I could pass that bitch like Stockton," is a masterclass in memorable, rhyming hooks that are easy to recite. The interplay between his relaxed, almost conversational lyrical rhythm and the driving musical rhythm is a key element of the song's cool, confident vibe.

"WHATS POPPIN" showcases a blend of musical and literary techniques that contribute to its infectious quality.

• Musical Style: The production by Pooh Beatz and JetsonMade is a prime example of modern trap music. It's built around a simple, catchy, and slightly melancholic piano loop set against a hard-hitting 808 bass pattern and crisp hi-hats. The producers intentionally kept the beat sparse to give Harlow's vocals room to shine. This minimalist approach creates a bouncy, head-nodding rhythm that is central to the song's appeal.
• Vocal Delivery: Jack Harlow employs a laid-back, conversational, and charismatic flow. His delivery is smooth and confident, yet feels effortless. This nonchalant style contrasts with the high-energy beat, creating a unique, cool persona that was highlighted by critics as a key part of his charm.
• Literary Techniques: Harlow's lyrics are filled with witty wordplay, pop culture references (John Stockton, Shego, Vincenzo's restaurant), and clever similes. He uses a narrative voice that is both braggadocious and introspective, sharing personal details about his life in Louisville and his feelings about newfound fame. The use of slang and a conversational tone makes the lyrics feel authentic and relatable to his audience.

"WHATS POPPIN" was a massive cultural phenomenon that catapulted Jack Harlow from a rising rapper to a mainstream superstar. Its success was profoundly amplified by the social media platform TikTok, where the song went viral. It spawned several trends, most notably the 'Glo-Up' trend, where users would show before-and-after transformations set to the song's beat drop. The hashtag #whatspoppin has accumulated billions of views on the platform. The song's chart performance was stellar; it peaked at number two on the US Billboard Hot 100 and reached the top 10 in countries like Australia and Canada. Its popularity was further boosted by a high-profile remix released in June 2020, featuring rap heavyweights DaBaby, Tory Lanez, and Lil Wayne, which helped the song climb to its peak chart position. The track received a Grammy Award nomination for Best Rap Performance at the 63rd Annual Grammy Awards. Beyond the charts, the song was featured in video games like NBA 2K21 and Call of Duty: Warzone, cementing its place in popular culture. It is widely regarded as Harlow's breakout single, defining the sound and persona that would lead to his subsequent successes.

"WHATS POPPIN" is rich with metaphors and symbols that illustrate Jack Harlow's newfound status and mindset.

• "Brand new whip, just hopped in": The song opens with this classic symbol of success in hip-hop, representing mobility, wealth, and a new chapter in his life.
• Passing the "bitch like Stockton": This is a prominent metaphor comparing his romantic options to basketballs being passed by legendary NBA point guard John Stockton. It symbolizes having an abundance of options and a certain detachment, though he immediately softens it by saying he's "just joshin'".
• "Drinking water and wearing protection": This line operates on two levels. Literally, it refers to physical health and safe sex. Metaphorically, it symbolizes a broader sense of self-preservation—staying clear-headed (hydrated) and protecting himself from the toxic elements and dangers of the music industry and fame.
• Shego (from "Kim Possible"): By referencing this specific cartoon villain as his type ("dark-haired bitch and she look like Shego"), Harlow uses a pop culture touchstone to define his taste in women, adding a layer of personality and generational specificity to his lyrics.
• "SportsCenter, top ten": This reference serves as a metaphor for achieving peak performance and being at the top of his game, equating his life's highlights to the most impressive plays in sports.

The most significant recurring element in the song is the titular phrase and hook, "What's poppin'?". This phrase acts as the central motif and a memorable, infectious chorus. Originally a common slang greeting meaning "What's up?" or "What's happening?", Harlow transforms it into a confident announcement of his arrival on the scene. Its repetition throughout the song drills it into the listener's head, making it the undeniable core of the track. Another recurring motif is the theme of having "options." Stated explicitly in the hook, this idea is woven throughout the lyrics, symbolizing his newfound success, whether it's romantic choices, career opportunities, or financial freedom. The sports metaphors, particularly the initial John Stockton reference, also serve as a recurring motif, framing his success and skills in the universally understood language of athletic achievement. These recurring elements give the song a strong, cohesive structure and reinforce its central themes of success and confidence.