Listen: Macklemore and Ryan Lewis
Listen: “Thrift Shop” and “Same Love”
The hip hop community is always changing and MC Macklemore, also known as Ben Haggerty, and his producing partner, Ryan Lewis, are the latest contributors. For years, the rap world was associated with derogatory language, lyrics about violence and excess riches. While that is still a staple for today’s rap music, most emerging mainstream rappers uses their lyrics to discuss political and inspirational issue and Macklemore is the most recent artist to do so. Growing up in middle class suburbia, Macklemore was not exposed to the stereotypical situations associated with rap, so most rappers do: he wrote about what he knew. In his hit single, “Thrift Shop”, instead of rapping about spending money like most rappers do, his message was you can spend less money and still look good; all with a catchy beat. He penned “Same Love” inspired by a family member who is homosexual and establishes itself as the first hip hop song to support gay marriage. His bravery to go against the grain with his music should be recognized. I highly suggest checking out his debut album, “The Heist”.
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Check out what others are saying...[…] Macklemore & Lewis: It’s a while since I’ve heard rap music with a message. Macklemore & Lewis change the conversation about what rap music has to be about. […]