Jalen Hurts’ taste in music? A mix of old-school vinyl, modern hip-hop
He’s a dual-threat whether in charge of an NFL offense or the turntable.
During the 2022 regular season, Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts threw for 3,701 during and ran for another 760 yards. On Sunday the former University of Alabama standout will lead the Eagles versus the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LVII. It’s just his third year in the league and second full season as a starter.
Off the field, Hurts, who’s 24-years-old, has a passion for music. His go-to jams range from contemporary bangers to classic grooves.
In a preseason video segment for GQ magazine, Hurts said he began collecting vinyl records about two years ago. “I wanted something unique. Something that kind of, you know, made my space different.”
In the video, Hurts called Frankie Beverly, singer with soul-funk band Maze, “by far my favorite artist ever.” In his GQ video, Hurts held up his vinyl copy of Maze’s 1978 album “Golden Time of Day,” adding, “I’ve always had like an old soul.”
During his junior year at Alabama, on a bye-week when Bama’s football wasn’t playing, Hurts attended a Maze concert in Birmingham. That night he also got to meet Beverly. “He was the coolest guy,” Hurts said. Beverly even took the time to FaceTime and say hello to Hurts’ mom, who’s also a fan.
Growing up in Texas, Hurts developed an appreciation for singer Al Green’s gospel-tinged R&B. To GQ, Hurts recalled childhood outdoor family get-togethers where they’d “boil crawfish” and “hang out.”
Hurts’ dad, Averion Hurts, who was also his high school football coach, “had this big red truck.” At these family get-togethers, the elder Hurts play Green’s greatest hits on the truck’s stereo.
“He’d always go in his truck, open all four doors, let it ride all day on repeat,” Hurts said. These days, Hurts owns a vinyl copy of Green’s greatest hits. “I know every song from front to back, side to side, all that. It’s a part of me, it’s a part of my childhood, a part of who I am.”
Another from Hurts’ burgeoning vinyl collection: Angela Wimbush’s 1987 debut solo album, “Sharp.” In his GQ video, he rhapsodized about “Angel,” Wimbush’s number-one R&B single from that LP, as well as “Your Smile,” a chart-topper from Wimbush’s previous duo, Rene & Angela.
“I know different guys have the different things but mine is slow music,” Hurts said. “And when I listen to these two songs, I get into their zones.”
Chances are if you’re not an Eagles and/or Jalen Hurts superfan, if you previously knew anything about his musical tastes it’s this: The man likes to unwind after a game by listening to some Anita Baker.
As Hurts told Fox Sports’ Pam Oliver after the Eagles’ 25-20 road win over the Chicago Bears on Dec. 18, “I’ll put my Anita Baker on and take this flight home and try and enjoy it with my teammates.” To which, Oliver, a veteran NFL reporter, replied with a chuckle, “You’re too young to know about Anita Baker.”
Later, after this clip was shared on Twitter, Baker, who’s music, including signature hit “Sweet Love,” has garnered several Grammys, retweeted the clip along with an all-caps, “CONGRATS!”
In Hurts’ GQ video, he showed off a copy of Baker’s breakthrough 1986 album “Rapture.” He praised the singer’s famously smooth and expressive voice. “She always can set the mood, set the tone.”
Then, about a month later, Baker set the tone in a stadium-sized way. She sang “The Star-Spangled Banner” at Philadelphia’s Lincoln Financial Field before the Eagles’ 31-7 win over the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Championship Game, which sent the team to the Super Bowl.
Hurts’ GQ video was part of a series in which celebrities discuss “10 things they can’t live without.” Other subjects have included “Euphoria” star Sydney Sweeney, “Friends” actor Matthew Perry and rock drummer Travis Barker.
In addition to his vinyl records, other things Hurts told GQ he can’t live without include: Louisiana Hot Sauce; daily devotionals; Lemon Perfect water (kiwi-starfruit flavor), Carmex lip balm; and FaceTime calls with his grandmother.
Previously, Hurts discussed music’s role in his football, during interviews with Philadelphia Inquirer reporter Josh Tolentino before the 2021 season.
At the time, Hurts was using Roy Ayers’ groovy-mantra “Everybody Loves the Sunshine” as the alarm on his smartphone, to wake up for early morning workouts. “It’s a little positivity to start the day,” Hurts told Tolentino. “I’m all about positivity, man.”
Hurts also talked about revamping the playlist that blares over six big speakers at the Eagles’ practice facility. “With the music, the first few days of practice, I wasn’t feeling it,” Hurts said. “So I wanted to put my own spin on it.” Hurts made a list of upbeat songs to include, from which Eagles assistant coach Tyler Scudder assembled a playlist to bump at practice.
Highlights from Hurts’ 74-track Eagles practice playlist: rap classics, like Beastie Boys’ “Brass Monkey” and Notorious B.I.G.’s “Hypnotize”; modern hip-hop hits, including Future’s “Stick Talk” and Lil Baby’s ”How”; electronic dance music, such as David Guetta’s “Bad” and Steve Aoki’s “Boneless”; and even Survivor’s classic-rock “Rocky III” anthem “Eye of the Tiger.”
“I’m all about my music,” Hurts said. “I’m glad you’ve been keeping tabs.”
MORE ON SPORTS AND CULTURE:
A glimpse inside the world of ESPN college football analysts