Released: 2022 • Features: Drake
Fasten your seatbelts, hip-hop heads, we’re about to unpack “Churchill Downs,” a lyrical powerhouse from Jack Harlow, with Drake on the guest mic. This track serves as a testament to their come-up, their see-it-to-believe-it success, laced with plenty of introspection and some pretty pointed commentary on the industry and society at large. Expect no less than a fire blend of layered bars and complex wordplay from these maestros of the mic.
Harlow hits the ground running in this track, reflecting on his journey in the rap game. He’s acknowledging his manifestation game – he talked the talk, walked the walk, and now he’s the talk of the town. When he says, “We ’bout to feed these youngins to the metaverse,” he’s saying his rhymes are about to school the up-and-comers in the game, feeding their minds with knowledge.
Harlow admits his struggle with fame and the associated perils when he says, “Ain’t too many cons when you playin’ with the pros. ‘Cept for how your life get exposed.” Not shying away from his roots, he mentions that in Kentucky, they love when it snows, a nod to his hometown of Louisville.
Drake takes over in the latter part of the song, delivering a contemplative verse. With lyrics like “Cold hearts and heated floors, no parental guidance I just see divorce,” Drake expresses the loneliness and disenchantment that can often come with wealth and fame. He also calls out fake people in the industry, the ones who try to ride his wave for personal gain: “Lucky me, people that don’t fuck with me. Are linkin’ up with people that don’t fuck with me to fuck with me.”
Drake’s clever wordplay shines, especially in lines like, “Prayin’ on my downfall don’t make you religious, man,” where he addresses his haters. He closes with an assertive, “Box at the Churchill downs, that’s motivation,” a nod to the song’s title and a triumphant final line that underscores his success.
“Churchill Downs” is a deep dive into the minds of two industry titans, a chronicle of their journeys, and an introspective look at the pros and cons of their chosen paths. Harlow and Drake pull no punches, dealing with the realities of navigating the rap game while staying true to their roots. Now that’s real talk!
