Rapper Jack Harlow (played by Ben Marshall) stopped by Saturday Night Live‘s Update Desk to chat with Michael Che about his new album, Monica (which some people say is a spin on the slang “my ni**a.”).
In the segment, “Jack” cracked jokes about his critics and Monica Lewinsky, his inspiration for the album’s title.
The segment ended up getting cut from the live show due to time constraints. But social media users praised Ben for his accurate Jack Harlow impersonation.
Monica is the fourth studio album released by Jack on March 13, 2026. The album is his first release in 3 years since Jackman.
Jack shifted from rap to R&B following his rap hits like “What’s Poppin'” (2020) and “First Class” (2023).
Monica received “mixed or average reviews” from music critics.
Pitchfork called Monica “ridiculous and transparent”, while rating the album a 3.1 out of 10.
“This album feels like the rarest kind of unintentional parody, so ridiculous and transparent in its intent that I really get a kick out of it. But the truth is that none of Monica’s parodic elements would matter that much if the music felt like a genuine experiment rather than a self-serving, big-budget attempt to deepen his [Harlow’s] image. At least there’s still one thing left in this world that can’t be bought.”
Social media users shaded the 28-year-old Louisville native (born Jackman Harlow) for abandoning his rap roots to pursue another black music genre.
During an appearance on The New York Times‘ Popcast, Jack said he “got blacker” with the shift to R&B music.
He said R&B music was “a safer landing spot” for white artists like himself.
“I love black music. I love the sound of black music, and of course I’m hyper aware of the politics of today, that safer landing spot that a lot of my white contemporaries have found,” he said.
Jack portrays himself as an ally to the black community. However, R&B singer/songwriter Jozzy accused him of having culture vulture tendencies.
Jozzy said Jack asked her not to take writing credit for songs they collaborated on together in 2022. “We never worked after that,” she said at a Red Bull Sessions event in Atlanta, Ga., on April 2.
