Jack Harlow gives away over 500 books in bookstore
By Joyce Ogirri
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LOUISVILLE, Kentucky (WLKY) — Louisville rapper Jack Harlow gave back to his hometown Sunday, treating hundreds of fans to free books at Carmichael’s Bookstore in the Highlands.
The giveaway drew fans from Louisville and beyond. By the time the event started at 4 p.m., the line stretched from Carmichael’s on Longest Avenue around the block and down Cherokee Road.
Chelsea Jansen drove from Nashville and arrived around 11 a.m. to make sure she got a spot in line.
“I just like Jack Harlow. He doesn’t come to Nashville a whole lot, so I was like, why not take a road trip,” Jansen said.
Mary Estevez traveled even farther, driving 12 hours from Omaha, Nebraska. She also saw Harlow Friday at a Cherokee Park event celebrating his new shoe.
Estevez said what started as a girls trip in 2024 has turned into multiple trips to see Harlow.
“We started in 2024 as a fun girls trip just to see him,” she said. “I started liking his music.”
Fans were able to choose one book worth up to $50. Harlow also signed autographs and took pictures with those waiting.
Kai Vance, who said he is a big chess fan, hoped to find a chess book he had been wanting.
For Vance, the giveaway was about more than getting a free book.
“It’s nice seeing the artist give back to his community where he’s from,” Vance said. “It’s something I really respect. And I just want to have a chance to say thank you.”
Harlow said Carmichael’s has always been one of his favorite places in Louisville.
“I love reading, I love books, I love bookstores, I love the way I feel just when I walk into this place,” Harlow said.
He said supporting local businesses is an important part of giving back to the city that raised him.
“I want to continue to pour into that because that’s what I grew up on,” Harlow said. “I want us to have local businesses. Carmichael’s needs to be forever.”
More than 500 books were given away Sunday.
Harlow said seeing so many fans willing to wait in the heat made the event even more meaningful.
“Everyone that’s willing to wait for a book speaks volumes about what type of person you are,” he said. “I’m grateful to everybody for coming out. It gives us a real sense of community.”
Harlow’s Louisville weekend continues Monday with a concert at Old Forester’s Paristown Hall.
He also said that once his tour wraps up, he is looking forward to releasing more music.
“As I move through my career, one thing that gives me a lot of comfort is knowing I still have home,” Harlow said.
Harlow was able to have the book giveaway through his nonprofit, the Jack Harlow Foundation.
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