Jack Harlow - Churchill Downs feat. Drake

What this video is

Released June 1, 2022, the video functions as a cultural reclamation of the Kentucky Derby — an event historically associated with white Southern elite society — by two of hip-hop's most commercially dominant figures of the era. Jack Harlow, a Louisville native, leveraged his hometown's most famous annual event as both personal branding and civic pride statement, while Drake's attendance amplified the video's…

Why it matters

Represents the early 2020s trend of hip-hop videos eschewing constructed sets in favor of real-world prestige event documentation, blending celebrity culture journalism with music video form. The Kentucky Derby setting is a rare example of a hip-hop video using a live American sporting institution…

The director

Miami-born, LA-based director and USC Film School graduate who began his career in VFX and editing. Has directed music videos for Kendrick Lamar, SZA, Doja Cat, Flying Lotus, Childish Gambino, and Olivia Rodrigo. Known for a striking aesthetic and surreal…