“INDUSTRY BABY” is the latest single from American rapper and singer Lil Nas X and his upcoming debut album “Montero“, and marks the first collaboration between Lil Nas X and American rapper Jack Harlow, as well as Lil Nas X and Kanye West (who co-produced the track).
“INDUSTRY BABY” sees Lil Nas X and Jack Harlow boast about their fame, wealth, success and their new found status in the rap industry. The song also references the criticisms Lil Nas X has faced – specifically being deemed an “industry plant”.
Speaking to Genius.com, Lil Nas X and Jack Harlow discussed “INDUSTRY BABY” and its songwriting process, its sound and lyrics, and how the two artists feel about one another.
On song writing:
Lil Nas X:
The very first day of “INDUSTRY BABY”: me and Daytrip, Roy Lenzo, like we were all in the studio, and we were thinking, like what the fuck are we making right now. And I was like upset ‘cause we tried like seven different songs and nothing was like hating for me. And I heard like… [hums the intro melody]. I was like, “Hold on, what that is? Run that back.” When I first heard it, I was like, “Wow! This sounds like some, like king, intro kind of Jay-Z, royalty kind of beat. Whatever happens with this, I definitely have to pop my shit.” I was still like in the mindset of like, “Okay, these rappers, like they not really fuck with me like that, fuck these niggas.” But then, you know, I started talking to Jack like online or whatnot. He was like a real cool guy. And from there I was like, “Oh, perfect! Boom.”
Jack Harlow:
I liked what he was talking about, it resonated with me. Y’all thought I was just gonna be here for a second. Look where I’m at — I’m here to stay. That’s how I feel, you know what I mean. When I first came out, I think, a lot of people had this feeling of, “Man, we’ll see. Maybe it’s a fluke.” So for me this felt like a chance. “Look, I’m here, too.” So I really resonated with the content. I love Nas and everything he’s doing but what he was saying on this song, I was like, “I feel that. I feel that, I wanna give my story.”
On the lyrics, sound and working together:
Lil Nas X:
What I like about Jack’s bars is like he’s gonna pop some shit and he’s gonna have like some fun moments. “Sent her back to her boyfriend with my handprint on her ass cheek/City talkin’, we takin’ notes,” I thought that was fucking fire. And like other funny lines, it’s like, “I’m done makin’ jokes ‘cause they got old like baby boomers.” I’m a joked out ass motherfucker, you know, I’m always cracking jokes online. I like felt that because a lot of people, like when they see me having fun with them on live, online, like laughing and stuff, they don’t think I take what I do seriously, but I very much do.
Jack Harlow:
We feel each other, you know what I’m mean? We do two different things, you know, we’re in this industry for two different reasons, you know, we came in with different music. But I feel him and I’m a fan of him, and I’m a fan of what he’s doing and what he stands for. I think, he’s becoming an icon. I just like what he does, bro, like I salute him. I think, he’s brave.
Lil Nas X:
Thanks, brother.
Read the lyrics to “INDUSTRY BABY” here.
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