Here are some new photos of Macklemore in East London over the weekend, performing at the Yahoo Wireless festival/concert thing. We’ve never really devoted a post to Macklemore, which is a shame because he’s actually pretty awesome. All of a sudden, he just sort of appeared last year and he’s become a major rapper and hit maker. More interestingly, Macklemore doesn’t just rap about flossing and bitches, you know? “Thrift Song” is basically a song telling dudes that they’re douchebags for buying $200 shirts to impress girls. “Can’t Hold Us” is about… well, I’m not sure what it’s about, but it’s everywhere and it’s a fun song. And then there’s “Same Love” which just went platinum last week. It’s a song about homosexuality and love and gay-marriage and equality, and it’s just a really great song in which this rapper is actually blasting his own music genre for not standing up for human rights and gay rights.
Macklemore gave a lengthy interview to NYC’s Hot 97 – you can see the videos of the interview here at Towleroad. In “Same Love” he raps about his gay uncle, and in the music video for the song, you see him at a wedding of two gay men. In the Hot 97 interview, Macklemore says that he actually has two uncles that are “hella gay” and they both have partners, so he says he really has four gay uncles. Macklemore said about the song:
“I think that looking at the hip-hop community, and holding myself accountable in the hip-hop community, was what I cared about. That’s my community; that’s who I see to be oppressing gay people… The f-word and saying “that’s gay” are still rampant. Homophobia is still rampant in the hip-hop community and it just gets the co-sign.”
“The last year has gotten a lot better, but for so long, it was just an issue that nobody touched on.”
“People are just scared [of rapping about homosexuality]. People are just really scared of how other people are going to perceive them. And for me, artists push the envelope of what is ‘culturally acceptable’ within hip-hop – what falls under the parameters of what hip-hop is and what it isn’t. Those rules are old and outdated. This is an issue of equality and humanity and let’s put that at the forefront and not worry about what the internet is going to say about us. I don’t give a f*ck. I’d rather change people’s lives than worry what the comments are going to say.”
If you have a spare half hour, it’s really worth it to go watch the whole interview – Macklemore is really well-spoken, thoughtful and interesting.
And yes, I would hit it. CB would too! She loves him, which is weird because usually I’m the only one into pale gingers. I think the ginger-love is rubbing off on her! Macklemore’s got great arms and great (freckled!) shoulders.
Photos courtesy of Fame/Flynet and WENN, Instagram.
Hit it-Yep. I first heard Same Love and that open me more to hearing the other songs. I really enjoy listening to him and his music partner talk about what they are looking to do now and in the future
I love him. His album is amazing.
He looks a little Essex, but I’d still hit it.
On a related note, I was reading this yesterday, and it’s so interesting:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2013/jul/13/gay-rap-becomes-reality
Oh yeah I would hit it!
Love Brooke Candy, she was Gaga way before Gaga
Would def hit that – and then go to the thrift shop together!
Much respect to McM for making this song – we need more love, less hate in this world today.
Hell yes! He’s a fantastic story teller. Sadly, his fiancé is adorable and they’ve been together a while.
Love, love, love him! But I could not hit it… he’s a dead ringer for my first husband, lol! *shudder*
Like it owed me money.
LOL! Me, too, even though he is…. way younger than me, LOL.
My son saw him in concert earlier this year and he said it was amazing.
What I really love about MM is that he’s really a grass-roots guy. He is not a product of the “machine.” So, his lyrics are honest and aren’t vetted and massaged by some music producer who thinks s/he knows what will appeal to a particular demographic.
Til It voided the warranty
Like a Screendoor during a Hurricane in Fl
So hard His mama would cry in the past!
You’re my new bff!
Damn! I laughed out loud.
Awesome! And yes, yes, yes!!!!!!!!!!!
I do not really listen to the radio much and had not heard Same Love until the other day. It is a great song.
I decided to google him and let’s just say he was not at all what I had expected.
I think he is great and glad somebody is standing up for gay rights in hip hop.
NO.
I find him extremely annoying — I wanted to punch the tv screen while he was performing on SNL. As a matter of fact, I want to punch my computer screen now.
I’ll see myself out now.
I’ll go with you.
Bye.
Agreed, Eve. He’s overrated.
Agreed. I don’t really get it. At least I have a face to the name now though. Had no idea why he was such a big deal.
I reckon he’s annoying too. And a flash-in-the-pan, most likely. Reeks of manufactured “authenticity”.
Um, don’t almost all celebrities? I really agree with his message and the need for it to be expressed – mainstream – so I guess it’s not bothering me…
I was just introduced to his music over the weekend. I like and respect him.
Yaaasss!!! He’s so cute! I’m glad he’s finally getting attention
Me too. Shark Face Gang!
I love his music! I really love his song, same love. I thought it was beautiful. I really hope he stays around for many years.
Great arms… Mmmmmnmm
Sorry, I got distracted. Yes, I would hit it with a concentration on those arms. I feel the same way, Kaiser, as if he just appeared one day. I love Can’t Hold Us but I like when Same Love comes on in the car because it generates some great discussions with the Heir and Heiress.
Not all hip hop is about flossing and bitches generalisation much. rme. Gonna go listen to some Public Enemy and Nas to get that sentence out of my mind.
It may not ALL be about conspicuous consumption but when flipping through radio stations on an average day, I’m hard pressed to find a rap song that isn’t.
What you hear on the radio is one tenth of what is out there. There are some fabulous hip hop artists who aren’t all about bitches and conspicuous consumption. Pharoah Monche, Common, Lupe Fiasco among many others.
You have to admit that rap of yesterday was much more about important things, like social issues. Rap today brings shame to the rap of yesterday.
I will always have a soft spot for Goodie Mob, btw. 🙂
Disagree strongly.
People: UNDERGROUND RAP–EMBRACE IT. LOVE IT. LET IT SHOW YOU THE WAY.
Beautiful and positive hip-hop is alive and well-lots of young artists doing amazing things.
Y’all need to turn of the damn radio and get on hypemachine and start digging.
Thank you @ Pinkerton. I don’t have a problem with Macklemore. Thrift Shop is a catchy record (though it’s become annoying) and Can’t Hold Us and Same Love are good songs.
But it bugs me how people who clearly aren’t big hip hop fans (like many of the people on this site) try to make him out to be the “example” on how other rappers should act and be like…when rappers have been doing theses things already.
Rappers like Talib Kweli, Common and Mos Def back in the late ’90s spoke out aganist the materialistic culture in hip hop and as much as people hate Kanye, back in ’04 he spoke out against homophobia in rap. That was more bawsy then now where it’s trendy to support gay rights. That’s great that Macklemore is doing all these things but what he’s doing isn’t groundbreaking by any means, he just became more famous then many other rappers.
ITA there are many more socially conscious rappers including Lupe,Nas and the ones you mentioned who are better lyricists but this guy appeals to the older (over 35) White audiences as stated in the interview .
Preach!! Socially conscious hiphop has been around for YEARS. Its not hitting the mainstream because suburban kids dont want to hear it, certainly not from a black artist. They want to hear about the ghetto grind not the revolution!
Before you type about how “pioneering” or “brave” Macklemore is, google “dumb it down” by Lupe Fiasco.
Its a song about how his record label rejects anything that doesnt fit into the black stereotype. Then go through his catalogue and note how he addresses homosexuality.
+ 1 @ Jordan…there’s so much good, positive rap out there but it’s not popular enough to get played more often and Macklemore is not the only good, socially conscious rapper out there right now, not by any stretch.
I agree that support for the gay community in rap has been there in some form for a while, but I do applaud Mackelmore for taking it more mainstream. Also I give him props that he didn’t just write a line, he wrote a whole song.
Each time someone has spoken out, it has been a step forward. A journey is made of many steps. I think all of them are important.
You also wrote, “as much as people hate Kanye, back in ’04 he spoke out against homophobia in rap.”…True. But the thing with some artists is their lack of consistency. Speaking out one time and then rapping about giving anything for a blonde d ike years later kind of diminishes earlier bravery.
THANK YOU!! Hip hop doesn’t have a problem, the general public does because they can’t seem to enjoy any song that isn’t disgusting or mindnumbingly stupid.
PRECISELY!!!
+1000! Nicely put.
I probs wouldn’t hit it, but I’m proud to have him representing Seattle so well.
I love him too, partly cause I am a Washingtonian and he does a great job representing! Plus my friend is one of his trombonist so i am a bit biased! But I like that he tours with local guys!
YES!!! Washington in da HOUSE!!! He makes me proud to be from there too. 🙂
206 LOVE!!!
Like a house on fire. He looks a LOT like my husband, which probably has something to do with it
😆
I would absolutely hit it. Social justice is sexy 🙂
Hell yeah it is!!
double that hell yeah!!
Ok, strange question here, but does he shave his armpits?
I was just about to post that! He either shaves or waxes. I don’t care how light haired you are, every man has pit hair.
I love him, immensely talented. Would not hit it…something about his hair cut just bugs me. I skew more tall/dark.
If folks have time, I’d also recommend the Macklemore show from tiny desk concert series that NPR hosts. He does all 3 of those songs and is super awesome.
http://www.npr.org/event/music/166256822/macklemore-ryan-lewis-tiny-desk-concert
Wouldn’t hit it, but would go to a concert for sure.
I love almost all the Tiny Desk Concerts, but that one is AMAZING
I don’t find him attractive in the least (mostly attracted to dark-haired men and Benedict Cumberbatch), but I’d hit it based on personality.
+1
So much this. If basing his “boneability” on looks alone, I’d say not a chance. But his personality makes him exponentially boneable.
Hit it like a hammer.
Not remotely attracted, but that Same Love song actually made me tear up the first time I heard it. And the Thrift Store song cracks me up. So I’m a fan.
I’ve been obsessively listening to their album The Heist for a month now. Awesome songs. Awesome message. You should try Wings and Cowboy boots.
…and YES I would hit it. repeatedly.
He’s all right, but I don’t like plastic Paddies.
Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to scarper before Bodhi hunts me down 😯
HAHA!! More for me!
Totally not my type normally. The constant improper grammar would drive me batty… but because of his heart, compassion, humor, & overall intellect, I worship this guy!
I like him and I like his music but I’d hit Ryan Lewis. Cutie pieeee!
I’m on the fence about the ginger lovin taps in question. BUT I love his mind and his bravery for Same Love. Gay and rap traditionally do NOT mix well but then again, his style is not like the crap rap that’s been around for a while. I just hope that the industry doesn’t change him. …maybe I would hit that…
His sit-down on The Nerdist podcast is well worth a listen, too. He is hawt!
my boyfriend LOVES hiphop so I’m well aware that there are AMAZING ARTISTS with positive messages but its always refreshing to hear something new to add to these artists…especially on the radio. he seems funny and witty, smart, and quirky. so yes i would hit it repeatedly.
Im telling your boyfriend 🙂
I love this guy and his music. He’s a very special artist. One with a conscience and seemingly very little ego… I don’t see him giving his future kids stupid names for instance… like… oh… I don’t know… like… North. Just saying… 😉
He is very attractive, but more importantly, he raps about real issues. Not just money, ho’s, and violence. He brings the poetry part into his songs. He also has plenty of goofy, party songs too.
I personally have loved his music from the first time that I heard it. My son and I love to ride around in my car singing to his songs on the radio. I like that his lyrics are a good influence on my child. If I were younger I would definitely hit it because he is fine. Alas, I am (just nearly)old enough to be his Mom.
Oh. So he’s the “yellowman” of rap. I had no idea! My seven yr old twins had me download “thriftshop”. It’s hilarious and relevant. I hope the message sinks in. I bought the not naughty version, but they get it’s modified.
They wanted to go thrift shopping and we actually found a broken keyboard wailing under a pile of stinky clothes. We still laugh about that. My sons’ best girlfriend tried to score a (playboy) bunny purse. This is entertainment for me. Quality adventure, beats out target or walmart any day 🙂
ps
he’s hot, btw. big lips. boxer’s nose. I’d hit it, ginger o not.
Yes, hit it. Normally I’m not a fan of male gingers… but I love confident, well-spoken, thoughtful and provocative men. Hit it hard…
He looks like The Situation.
He looks like The Situation. So no hitting, but major supporting of his music.
As a ginger I feel it is my duty to hit it with other gingers. You know.. to prolong our species.. or something..
I’ve been a huge fan of underground hiphop for decades so I’m not new to rap with real meaning and a message but Macklemores songs are good and he talks about homophobia in rap which is a somewhat taboo topic so good for him.
I would tap that into next week!! Mmmmm
Nope. Wouldn’t dream of hitting that. Not only do i not find him attractive but I don’t find him talented either. I refuse to listen to his “music” when it’s on the radio. It’s awful!
it is great to see positivity in hiphop, always. I’m a little disappointed that they don’t credit the people singing the hooks the songs. I thought Ryan Lewis was the singer in ‘Thrift Shop’ before I found out he’s the.. DJ? Beatmaster?
Anyways, I wouldn’t hit it, but I’d hang out with him.
The more I look at him the more I see Rupert Grint in 10/15 years. Which is not a bad thing at all… MMMMMMmmmmm.
I think he’s really hot. However, a friend of mine who works for Rhapsody interviewed him a couple of years ago before he had any name recognition and he was really great and when she re-interviewed him a few months ago he was apparently a total jerkface. Fame does awful things to people. And therefore, I would no longer hit it.
He looks like my partner, is indie, has shit to say, so…. yes.