Macklemore covers the latest issue of Rolling Stone. Mac (or Ben, which is his real name) Instagram’d the cover with the message, “Rolling Stone…cover #sharkfacegang”. Yep. I don’t expect everyone to get on board with my Macklemore love, but would it have killed Rolling Stone to use a less “up his nose” photo? RS didn’t have to pose him like a Teen Beat Terrorist or anything, but just something slightly more flattering. Anyway, Macklemore’s interview is already making headlines because he talked openly about the backlash against his hit song “Thrift Shop” and he shows some brutal honesty and self-awareness when discussing “white privilege”. Some highlights:
On white privilege, or being a white rapper in hip-hop: “If you’re going to be a white dude and do this s–t, I think you have to take some level of accountability. You have to acknowledge where the art came from, where it is today, how you’re benefiting from it. At the very least, just bringing up those points and acknowledging that, yes, I understand my privilege, I understand how it works for me in society, and how it works for me in 2013 with the success that The Heist has had. We made a great album, but I do think we have benefited from being white and the media grabbing on to something. A song like ‘Thrift Shop’ was safe enough for the kids. It was like, ‘This is music that my mom likes and that I can like as a teenager,’ and even though I’m cussing my ass off in the song, the fact that I’m a white guy, parents feel safe. They let their six-year-olds listen to it. I mean it’s just…it’s different. And would that success have been the same if I would have been a black dude? I think the answer is no.”
His song “Wings” is anti-consumerist but he still wears Nikes: “Am I being a hypocrite? Absolutely. But that’s OK. I’m a f–king human being and I don’t need to be perfect. I can make a song like ‘Wings’ and wear Nikes.”
He almost relapsed (he’s a recovering addict & alcoholic) after the success of “Thrift Shop”: “I went through a place of not being happy, getting put in the box of ‘This is a novelty rap song,’ and being like, ‘What did I sign up for’?” But the success of the pro-gay-rights track “Same Love” helped him relax. “The legacy that I’m leaving on the world is more than just a song about second-hand clothes,” he says.
[From Rolling Stone and Gawker]
Gawker has a lengthy analysis of Ben’s “white privilege” quotes and they seem to be saying that if he really feels like he wouldn’t have had the same success if he was black, then he should just get out of the game. Which is… a weird argument to make, I think? Considering the year we’ve been having where there are just so many stories about race and racism and “race-baiting” and all of that, am I wrong to think it’s kind of refreshing to hear a white rapper say “yeah, it’s white privilege, I wouldn’t have had this success if I was black”? Honesty and self-awareness are the first steps towards a better understanding of who are and where we are as far as racial issues go.
Photos courtesy of WENN, cover courtesy of Rolling Stone.
Cute and smart!
I agree – it’s too bad that the RS cover is up his nose so much.
the parents bumpin this dudes tracks for their 6yr olds are wack lol so is this guy & his wack DJ
I really like him. He raises really great points both in interviews and in his music.
+1
Its a step.
But he needs to go further if he wants to shake the Elvis stamp. He needs to address the Same Love phenomena. Theres far too much ignorance out there about the artists who have been addressing homophobia in hiphop. He must acknowledge that socially conscious hiphop has been rapping about Equality for a decade.
Its a nice song but he doesnt deserve the White Savior label and want he needs to actively resist it. I want to hear him acknowledge in his interviews the many rappers who paved the way, rhyming about Equality long before the US president was on board. Before it was safe to be supportive.
Also I would want to hear him say something about the Dumb It Down policy regarding black rappers. Where black rappers who arent rapping about the gangsta life or hos are considered too “dangerous” for mainstream radio. Lupe Fiasco fans know what I mean. He needs to explain to his fans, many of who are hiphop novices, the radio politics.
Also I would want to hear him say something about the Dumb It Down policy regarding black rappers. Where black rappers who arent rapping about the gangsta life or hos are considered too “dangerous” for mainstream radio.
Also that this music is marketed directly to white suburban teenage boys who want to feel like tough guys while they’re hanging out in their parents’ basement. That’s why the less ghetto stuff doesn’t get played–it doesn’t sell to that market.
“Also I would want to hear him say something about the Dumb It Down policy regarding black rappers.”
THIS. Right here. Part in parcel of his privilege. He’s not restrained or pushed back by execs as much as artists of color and is allowed to be outside of what his demographic thinks is the “norm.”
Is he really the best person to speak about “dumb it down’ policies if he hasn’t exprienced it yet?
I think it would be more insightful to hear about it from a rapper who has actually experienced it.
@Sara–That’s why I decided to use the handle “Aras. It’s my name spelled backward.
Damned if you do damned if you don’t.
I get where you’re coming from, but how can you say he needs to actively resist the “white savior” label, then two breaths later say he’s responsible for educating the public about “dumb it down” policies. I don’t see how that’s his place to discuss, when he is not a part of it and hasn’t experienced that. That would completely be feeding into the white savior mentality. Can’t have it both ways.
Gawker is right! Its not enough to say that you are benefitting from prejudices.
If my colleague said to me she knows that I am just as good as she is and that she knows that she won that promotion because she is a perky blonde and I am an over weight Indian woman, I would ask her what she intends to do to correct the injustice.
So Macklemore (if thats your real name) how do you intend to address this injustice??
I didn’t say this. Do I have to change my name to The OriginalPinky?
Lol. Pinky is not an uncommon name in India though. Just use a more creative name if you have followers here. Me, I dont care if there are 200 Saras here. Infact it makes me feel a little omnipotent. Its a Saras World, you guys just live in it.
@sara
I had no idea it was a common name in India! The things I learn on this board. Thanks for the enlightenment. I will unruffle my feathers.
Thanks Sara. I have 2 cousins named Pinky (actually its an anglicised contraction). Its a common name and obviously I meant no harm. If it bothers you or you have “followers” its on you to create a truly unique handle.
Edit: I appreciate the unruffling of feathers. But I stand by the above. Its a common name, make it unique if it bothers you so much to have to share. I wont be the last Pinky here for sure.
What’s with the influx of brownies? Hey guys whats up!
@Pinky don’t be mad, I’m sure the original Pinky didn’t take it personally. She was probably just confused.
I’m going to get confused if two Pinkys talk to each other.
It’s not his job to correct the injustice in the world. It’s only his job to be the best Macklemore/Ben he can be while in the spotlight. He is putting positive/intelligent messages out there and that is a lot more than most rappers are doing. He’s reaching people and teaching lessons that wouldn’t otherwise be heard.
I get that not everyone sees it this way, but isn’t engaging in and promoting the conversation a way of improving the situation? I mean, acknowledging his privilege and getting the same white suburban teenagers who are buying his albums to think critically about their own privilege can make a much bigger difference than just giving up and fading into one-hit wonder obscurity. Sometimes you can effect just as much change from within the system as you could from outside of it.
I also don’t get the attacks on Same Love. Has there already been a entire underground queer hip hop community? Of course. But their music wasn’t getting played on the radio. A lot of why that particular song was/is so popular is timing, a lot of it is privilege, but at the end of the day, I’m happy to have his voice among those arguing for my rights. And for what it’s worth, Mary Lambert is an out lesbian, so there is some queer representation on that track (even if it is also very white and privileged).
“He is putting positive/intelligent messages out there and that is a lot more than most rappers are doing. ”
Again, not true not true at all. There are hundreds of rappers putting positive and intelligent messages out there. The beef isn’t with macklemore. The problem is with people who REFUSE to recognize the hundreds of artists out there that are doing the very thing Macklemore is so lauded for doing. And putting out fantastic music and clever lyrics to boot. Brother Ali, Talib Kweli, K’naan, Lupe Fiasco, Mos Def, Rakim, and so many more. That’s just the tip of the iceberg of American artists.
It doesn’t even begin to include the number of foreign hip hop artists out there Drunken Tiger, Yoon Mirae, Epik High, and these are just the Korean hip hop artists who are apart of the underground scene in Korea but with mainstream success. There’s Arab artists, Chinese, Indian, Pakistani, Thai, yadda yadda yadda who rap about social equality, economic progress, war, death, poverty, freedom of expression, racism, oppression, and the ongoing number of issues their country and their people face. Not bitches, hoes, and 3 pm shows, which is something Macklemore does in fact do.
“I get that not everyone sees it this way, but isn’t engaging in and promoting the conversation a way of improving the situation?”
I completely agree.
I get the feeling that some folks like on Gawker are upset at the situation, and are blaming him for it. I think that is completely misdirected.
HUGE media networks control what we are exposed to. In many cases, Labels-TV-Radio-Online News are all connected. It has been proven that if you see an artist’s name 7 times, you are MUCH more likely to take a moment to listen to them. Labels have relationships with media companies who take the product to the consumer via their news channels, radio, vevo, get stories on blogs, Yahoo, etc.
People need to stop focusing on Mackelmore as the problem, and take it to the real source of the issue. There is a lot of great music out there that most people never hear because it doesn’t help a mogul’s other investment.
I understand why he garners more attention as a white guy in his genre; but I don’t think mothers care what color the singer is if the song has a positive message and no misogyny or racism.
As a mother, I agree. I allow every type of music to be played in my home as long as it isn’t misogynistic or expletive-filled. The first time Pandora played “Thrift Shop” and my setting wasn’t on don’t allow expletive content (kids were home), I couldn’t run quick enough to my IPhone speakers lmao.
Yeah, this is my 10 yr old daughters favorite song and I didn’t know he was white until I read this. I feel old. She hates cuss words anyways, she’s always reminding me to stop, so she likes radio edits. But I did wonder if he was, just a feeling I got, I guess.
Mothers may not care what color he is but the media certainly does. Which makes it far more likely that your kids will ever hear his music. It also makes it near impossible that they will ever hear black rappers who dont cuss in their lyrics. A black Macklemore would be shlepping cds out of his trunk like every other black rapper not conforming to type.
Kudos to him for getting it even though his fans clearly do not. Now he needs to act on that knowledge or he is just hypocrite.
+10000. Eminem came out and broke records – rapping the exact same sexist, offensive songs with a lot of cursing in it that a black rappers do with so much less “commercial” success. Eminem topped the regular Top 40 charts, and it wasn’t because he was doing anything different or novel in the rap genre. The only novelty was the color of his skin.
I thought of that. I remember when everyone was talking about how he was a lyrical genius. I can’t comment on what I think of them because I don’t listen to hip hop or rap (seeing Depeche Mode next week and play/used to teach classical piano if that’s any indication). From where I was sitting, I didn’t know what made his output so much more illuminating than that of his contemporary black rappers, but again, I’m no expert on these genres. If anything, it seemed as though everyone was trying to explain away the criticisms of his work because his homophobic and misogynist lyrics got a lot of negative attention from the Tipper Gore set.
‘don’t think mothers care’?!
oh honey, a LOT of them do. A LOT.
Exactly. As a Mom, I don’t care if you’re green. It is the music that makes my desicion of if I want my kids listening to it. 🙂
Guys. The point is as a mom, you wouldn’t be able to make any judgment call if mickle more was black because the song wouldn’t get played. You would have never heard it in your life.
Keep in mind that a lot of racism is subconscious or built on harmful stereotypes.
most people know their privilege but chose not to say anything because somehow they feel its makes them “guilty” or something. then there are people who acknowledge their privilege and just “get’s it”.
it’s good to see that in msm and hear someone own it.
saying it is not guilt, its acknowledgement and hopefully can lead to not just better understanding but real change.
i mean, how long are people like me going to have to wait? LOL
THIS, THIS, THIS.
Well, the first time I heard “Thrift Shop,” I had no idea he was white, and it didn’t occur to me to care when I found out he was. I’m saying I think he’s talented and it doesn’t matter what color his skin is, because if the music is good, the music is good.
Same here. In fact a friend of mine told me “you know this is a white guy?” And my response was “ummm k” bc I was jammin and I really couldn’t give two fracks
THANK YOU. I keep wondering if I’m the only one who thinks Thrift Shop became so popular because it’s actually just a catchy ass song. I fully believe no matter who was behind it, it would have been a hit. Of course his privilege has helped him in countless ways, but I think when most people first heard that song they had no clue who he was or what color he was, and it made them happy regardless.
I think he brings up a good discussion point. At least he isn’t saying something super stupid like “it doesn’t matter what my race is if I’m a rapper,” because that would be ignorant and largely disrespectful of the genre. Either way, Bossip is gonna have a field day with this.
Good discussion point. It’s not just that he is white tho. He is white AND positive. Eminem was horrifying for white parents because there was a stronger fear that their kids would actually identify with and follow him.
This presumes that there is a deficit of great positive Black rappers. False. They just dont get their place in the sun. And with the dozens of positive black rappers, America still choses to idolise that one white rapper as if he has broken some new ground. Puhlizzz!
Mimo, I believe she was referring to the lack of positive white rappers, as the most prominent one anyone can name really is Eminem. And I wasn’t idolising, just commenting. I like all music regardless of the melanonin color of the artist. Macklemore just brought up an interesting point, and no one is trying to give him original credit for that, just a stepping stone to discuss. It would be ideal if all artists would refrain from negative messages anyways. Exception: Nicki Minaj and “Stupid Hoe” as I love love love that song and it makes me happy. 🙂
You do know bossip is not owned by black people, right? Just like Essence isn’t owned by black people.
I find that a lot of people don’t know this because the general content is “black” and aimed at the black audience.
Oh, sweet merciful crap. Bossip is feral. It’s sometimes interesting to watch the phenomenon play out while standing from a good, long distance away, but the place was forged in poison and runs on acidity…or baseness, rather.
But why shouldn’t it be all of those things when those are the things that get the owners their money? They’re not interested in dismantling crude stereotypes because dignity doesn’t sell. Don’t even start on their unabashed love of censoring commenters–but only the ones who aren’t raving homophobes (just shut up with this ‘abomination’ crap), very specific kinds of misogynists (cue the black women are the downfall of mankind trumpets) and racist/bigoted beyond all imagining–because mentioning it would probably get your comment erased. Yes, racist because half of their comments seemingly come from individuals who presumably treat the site as a rest stop between Stormfront visits, or are bigots of a different stripe: trolling by pretending to be black and going into full force shuck ‘n’ jive mode. But then again, a decent portion of that stuff is written by staff members who aim to up their hit numbers by being inflammatory and inciting rage. If only they could divert some of that attention to hiring writers who are more proficient than cro-magnon level of literacy and don’t refer to women as ‘hoes’, but then maybe it would be taken more seriously and that’s not good for their minstrelsy bottom line. And so many of the ‘me-looking’ posters are exhausting, it’s like bringing Hell to your doorstep.
I know that’s all common knowledge and I’ve even heard of some media studies instructors using that site of an example of…well, everything successful and troubling, but still, that place is a den of the damned. It should just be euthanized.
Okay, time for Tylenol.
Yes. Hence my comment. 🙂
Someone posted a link back on the miley cyrus post from weeks ago about brother Ali talking about white privelege at his concerts. A man who deserves WAY more love then this guy. wayyyyyy more. So no macklemore isn’t the first white rapper to do it.
…Yes, I find him overrated. Sorry guys.
Isn’t that exactly whatvhes saying tho mimo…that because he’s white he’s getting that recognition. Of course there’s black rappers with positive messages but they don’t get that recognition because they’re black and don’t fit the mold of a “black rapper” Im a fan of macklemore, he seems very aware
ummmm…..
brother ali is white.
I hate the song Thrift Shop but the definitely changed my opinion of him with Same Love. That song is so powerful and I’m glad to see a rapper showing his support for equality.
I think the success of Thrift Shop was also because he didn’t drop the n-word or sing about his b*tches and h*es. The song’s message (despite cursing) had an extremely lighthearted quality to it which you don’t find in rap because black artists are trying to be hood even if they grew up in the suburbs. White R&B and hip- hop artists don’t have that complication. And I wish it could be the same for everyone. Anyways, I just love Macklemore.
HH
I suggest you read up on hiphop because you couldnt be further from the truth. Hiphop has long had many sub-genres. One of which is gangsta rap. Now do you wanna guess which sub-genre crosses into the mainstream? Gangsta. Whos the market? Suburban white kids. Why are they not buying Reflective Rap? You tell me!!!!
Pop hiphop IS today hyper masculinised but thats nothing to do with black kids and everything to do with the market. The average college educated white shopper apparently doesnt want to hear black guys rapping about revolutions, thats scary shizz. They want to hear about bitchez and hustlers. Black folk degrading themselves has always been more entertaining than black folk empowering each other.
The result is that inspiring hiphop lives off the black college circuit because they cant sell beyond the color line. And people like you get to pretend that all black rappers are just thugs.
I just made the same point but you did it much better. Thank you. I don’t think most people realize who the market is for mainstream hip hop. It’s all about attracting white suburban teenage boys.
Cosign on ALL of this.
If you want to hear positive hiphop, teach your sons to support those guys. Most of whom probably live hand to mouth.
Yes. Yes. Yes to all of this!
There’s an amazing world of diverse and socially conscious hip hop out there. People need to learn to search for it. The influence it has had in other countries and the kinds of things hip hop has encouraged is astounding.
@kalen-brilliant post. Totally agree.
@Kalen
Drop your mike, grrrl. You win!
I won’t listen to hardcore or gangsta rap simply because between the many n-words and derogatory names for women, there’s no substance – in my opinion. I will get down to Mos Def, Del the Funkee Homosapien, and Illogic any day. I know gangsta rap is all the rage and has become what is acceptable to some people when they think of rap, but like someone already said, these artists are degrading themselves. It drives me crazy when people make Lil Wayne out to be so profound. I don’t think he is doing anything different, and I can’t feel his lyrics because of the cussing and n-word practically every other word, but he appeals to suburban white kids so he has gained a ton of momentum over the years.
Wow Kalen. I feel educated on an issue that really rarely touches me (British, white, not into hiphop). So thanks.
HH
So how do you explain the succes of Eminem, who in the beginning of his carreer was mostly known for his serious profanity?
I’m a fan of Mackelmore simply because I like his music. When I first heard Thirft Shop I didn’t know he was White. I just heard a really cool and funny song.
@HH to piggy back off Sisi. Eminem is a White rapper who called women ho’s, bitches and talked about killing people. He even spoke ill of his mother and the mother of his child in his songs. Listen to his song Superman, he talks about slapping a girl off the bar stool and leaving fingerprints all accross her. So I don’t get what you’re saying.
@Kalen Spot on comment.
V4real
HH said: “which you don’t find in rap because black artists are trying to be hood even if they grew up in the suburbs. White R&B and hip- hop artists don’t have that complication.”
All I’m saying is no need to only shade ‘black artists’ for profane gangsta rap.
That comment made it sound to me like white rappers are more sophisticated, which kinda bugged me.
Sorry the ‘I don’t get what you’re saying” read wrong in print. I understood what she meant; this was suppposed to read more as a what are you talking about because White rappers try to come off that way as well.
That’s why I mentioned Eminem. HH should probably listen to the White Rapper Riff Raft; especially his song “Bird on a Wire”. He’s talking about some of the same things that Black rappers talk about. Oh and don’t get me started on Mac Miller.
V4real
lmao, I just got that you weren’t telling me to back off -_-”
it was surprising to read that because indeed we were saying the same XD
today is just one of those days it seems… I’m dense.
@Sisi LMBO as well. It went completely over my head that you thought I was telling you to back off. I thought you were just explaining what HH said a bit clearer so that I would understand because I made the comment of I don’t get what you’re saying.
LOL! It is one of those days.
There are many Black hip hop artists who dont use racial or sexist slurs in their lyrics.They will never have crossover success
The images of these rappers are influenced by their labels, those big label CEOs are mostly white males. Do you think a white male CEO would rather sign a black artist rapping about institutional racism or a black artist rapping about hoes, gang fights?
Truth!
I like that Macklemore owned his privilege. Most won’t acknowledge it or will deny it. He owns it!
He owns it alright. Owns that privillege all the way to the bank! Three cheers y’all *sarcasm
Are you gonna change your name, or must I?
–TheOriginalPinky
Just seen this. I am not a regular in these parts I had no idea I had a namesake. Its not intentional. I am not invested either way frankly, is it that big a deal? You can change if thats what you want to do.
No sweat. Keep on using the name. It’s all good!
The thing about privilege, most people who have it don’t acknowledge it because they either aren’t aware of it or they pretend they don’t have it. It is insulting that just because he is white that he gets more attention, that’s racist but typical of show business. Being white still gives people an unfair advantage.
Seriously it’s a double edge sword. He acknowledges the privilege and the history of the genre according to gawker he should ‘get out of the game’. If he hadn’t said those quotes, I bet you dollar to donuts they would have said he’s spoiled, doesn’t acknowledge the past and ‘should get out of the game’
Can’t win, but I’d rather take his nuanced look at his success vs. anyone can be a rapper!tm naivety.
Exactly. My husband’s white, I’m black and he’s like, “I don’t even get involved in discussions on racism outside of your family because it’s all my fault no matter how wrong I think the action is and me not admitting I am a horrible person because other white people do some jacked up stuff makes me an entitled jackass.”
It’s like you can’t acknowledge what it is without being blamed for it because “YOU DON’T KNOW WHAT IT’S LIKE AND CAN NEVER KNOW!!” even though my husband knows damn well he’ll never know what it’s like to be a WOC like me. Rather than pushing people away, we should be inviting understanding people in, not splitting off into these little angry clubs.
I am also in an interracial relationship, I get what you are saying MonicaQ.
But I think you are missing the point here. We are simply saying that its not enough to acknowledge that the game is rigged. We must see you start to fix it. Otherwise you come off as someone whos just currying favor with PoC. It feels like he is trying to pacify his black critics or buy a “ghetto pass”. Its intellectually dishonest to say you see the problem but continue to reap from it.
He can start by giving positive black rappers the platform radio will never give them. Collaborate with these artists, name drop them in interviews and at concerts, play their mix tapes at his events and let them sell their music at his concert gates. He has many options. He shouldnt be stating an obvious fact as if its news and continuing with business as usual. He knows his brand of conscious hiphop is part of an old tradition, he shouldnt appropriate it by commission or ommission.
But you know if he actually started to do the things you mentioned he will still get bullshit thrown all over him because he acts like a “white savior”, I agree that he can’t win no matter what he does.
The idea that one decent selling artist can change the way the media giants run their game is a bit simplistic.
I think his comments here are a good step, but I do think there is a serious limit to what Macklemore himself can actually do. Artists are completely dependant on their labels and must fight to even get paid.
agree. I like his music, think he’s talented but mostly think he’s HONEST.
Soo, according to Gawker, pretty much every successfull straight, white guy needs to stop doing what they are doing because its pretty much proven that they would never have been as successful if they were a black, lesbian lady? Ridiculous. Good on him on acknowledging his white privilege, I don’t really know anything about him, but just reading this article makes me like him.
Gawker is merely suggesting that you should deserve to be where you are on MERIT. If you know that your success is fueled by your cis straight white maleness, then yes make room. Its not enough to just be aware of your privillege, you must also strive to make the world a better FAIRER place. I say that as mother to 2 cis straight white males. I expect them to earn their seat at the table and not make it harder for their more deserving brown and black friends
No, the Gawker article actually says he should get out of the game because its a black genre and only blacks should be in it (which is beyond stupid and lacking in any merit). They have an effed up group of writers over there. Mackelmore bothers them the same way Miley and her “ratchet” fashions bother other people. Some people see cultural apropriation, other people see a melting pot.
So Macklemore isn’t a Culkin brother?
ha ha ha, this made my morning
I really love Same Love. It’s very powerful.
Especially the line (not exact wording)
Kids who would rather die than be who they are
It’s so sad and true.
I don’t think he’s a genius for what he said, but I like that he’s self aware and has been able to remind himself where he came from and the privilege he has. Realistically, a lot of white rappers don’t make it, and if they do it’s very brief (aside from legends like Eminem etc.). He seems harmless and is actually talented. Good for him.
I think that everyone should listen to his song ‘A Wake.’ He talks about white privilege and white guilt and the need to speak up about it (even when it creates discomfort for white people) out of a responsibility of carrying it and doing something about it. He literally says that he’s involved in the cause and everyone should be with no excuse of pleading ignorance while young men like Trayvon Martin keep dying. I gained a lot of respect for him after listening to that and his support of same sex marriage. Exactly how he’s creating space or taking up space is another discussion. But to criticize him for stating his white privilege is not fair, especially when he’s been so vocal (calling other white people out on it) and being socially responsible about it.
THIS. Not to mention The Heist isn’t his first album, and he has long been discussing topics like this. People make the assumption that he is a flash in the pan because of Thrift Shop, but this guy has been busting his ass in clubs all over Seattle for years trying to make his career happen.
All the talk about record executives is also obnoxious. Do people not know his story or how The Heist got produced in the first place?
ugh. that “thriftshop” song is the 2013 version of “disco duck.”
go away, easy mac, and take your blandness with you.
This guy is overrated. And thinks too much if himself. When is he gonna spread awareness about conscious black rappers and gay rappers(of all races)? Also how does everyone forget about the beastie boys? People act like eminem was the first big time white rapper. Smh!
I understand wanting talented rappers of all walks to be recognized, but I don’t understand the position that it is Macklemore’s responsibility to do that as opposed to writing and performing his own music.
Actually I think he does. He’s already stated he has privilege, now he has to DO something about it. Collaborations with hip hop artists who wouldn’t normally have a voice. Giving respect to people who have been doing this before him. Introducing the demographic that listens to him to the vast array and richness of hip hop music. Sorry but he does. If he’s put himself in a place where he’s criticizing the genre and trying to change it. Then act on it don’t bs us. Actively strive to not only make yourself aware of how you contribute to the degradation of women (because sexism is okay but homophobia lord no!) but how other artists before YOU have put amazing music that does address these issues.
Lots of artists have done this. Drunken tiger has been a crucial part of the hip hop scene in Korea. Lots of artists do collaborations. Even Kanye has done this with up and coming artists. So far macklemore has teamed up with his white producer whose given him the catchy music. on top of that he collaborated with another white guy on another song where they feaured… 2 chainz, the quintessential stereotype of the hip hop genre. Considering maximores platform he could reach a lot of people to more than just stereotypical hip hop.
Honestly this dude is so mediocre compared to some amazing artists who haven’t recieved half the recognition he has and it kills.
I agree alexis;I’ll go further I don’t think he’s all that talented; glad I grew up listening to zeppelin, queen, u2, INXS, etc. where the focus was just on the plain great live music – which is still played something this guy won’t have to worry about 30 yrs. from now; and Kalen, please white suburbanites being afraid of raps about the “revolution” – hip hop is corporate commercial music like all other genres – I seriously doubt these guys know who Karl Marx is or understand the real implication of his ideas – hint; Marx would not care for our celebrity capitalist culture of which rappers are a part.
I like how you burried your comment down here where Kalen probably wont see you and hopefully eviserate you and your ignorance. Very brave lol.
So allow ME to respond, I’m not nearly as articulate as she is but I’ll have to do.
Hiphop is a vast genre. I know you think Lil Wayne is representative of the whole genre but you are wrong. For every gangsta rapper you can name, I can nme 3 who sing about the “revolution”. Allow me to start you off……… Talib Kweli, K’Naan, Lupe Fiasco. And while these three are semi-famous, they are no where near as successful as Lil Wayne. The REASON is because the rap buying market is saturated with white customers. K’Naan will sell out in Harlem easily but struggle to sell a hundred records in Birmingham Idaho. Meanwhile, Lil Wayne sells out in those white markets. Socially conscious rap is sustained solely by people of color. Its brown, black, yellow dollars keeping Talibs morgage paid. Blame the state of popular hiphop on the stupid mass market.
Oh and that “revolution” you are so disdainful of put a blackman in the White House. Its a movement that emphasizes education above all. That addresses economic independence. That acknowledges love of self in a world that markets us as thugs and whores because to villainise us is to erase white guilt. I have no idea where Karl Marx or Das Kapital came from. Maybe you should explain why you equate a black revolution with socialism.
By the way I struggle to understand why you assume that gangster hiphop represents the whole genre. I dont assume that supremacist rock/heavy metal is representative of the whole genre. I dont assume that because of the Hells Angels prominence at rock concerts that the entire genre is rotten, sexist, racist and homophobic. You have no right to make the same sort of blanket statements about hiphop.
Also you missed some old school masters of live music in your list so allow me to add James Brown, Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, Fela Kuti, Jimi Hendrix, The Temptations etc etc.
+1000000
You said it well.
Wololololo! Now thats how to put it down! Linet, gurl this post should be on every college course reading list. It should be recited at college commencement ceremonies. It.Is.Perfection.
Hehe. Thanks ladies.
I see she responded at the bottom of the page again. Someone teach her how to use the Reply button please.
And I am elated that she “remembered” her love for Jimi after my post. Lmfao at how transparent these types of people are.
Better things to do than argue with an intractable bigotted person.
@TheOneAndOnly – +1000
I think the Gawker article was totally out of line. Of course people should deserve their success, but that’s not how rap works. That’s not how consumerism works, and it is certainly not how business works in the USA. I agree that there is a lot of positive hip hop out there by black artists, of much higher quality than his songs, and that he is overrated, but it’s stupid to rake him over the coals for this.
He’s acknowledging the way the world works, and those who are saying he’s not doing enough are jumping the gun, IMO. First, he’s relatively new to the game and very new to this type of success. If you read the entire article you realize that he’s still figuring out how to fight against his own privilege. Gawker kind of skimmed over that part, and expecting him to just quit is ridiculous. How is he going to effect a positive change if he does that?
My brothers love his album, and I’ve heard it probably five times or so. He does have songs about how he doesn’t like what’s handed to him when others have to struggle, but his aim is to help change that. The album is pretty much about injustice of all kinds, and changing it. It’s a start. You can’t change an industry in a year, and you can’t do it alone.
I think Gawker is a sh-t pile of a website. The same author had an article where he criticized a queer black man for criticizing macklemore’s song “Same Love”
http://gawker.com/5989270/self+appointed-privilege-police-officer-denounces-macklemores-pro+equality-anthem
Gawker is just link bait nastiness.
Also, does nobody else see the hysterical irony of a white writer at Gawker standing upon his soap box to call out a white rapper for co-opting black voices? If Juzwiak truly believed what he was saying, shouldn’t he have handed that pixel space off to a non-white writer?
Both very good points. Gawker and their whole family kind of sucks. It’s like they’re trying so hard to be SO liberal they don’t see when their messages contradict each other.
Chordy, I was talking to my BF about this and he goes, “well why doesn’t that WHITE piece of sh-t let a woman of color make the same point?” I responded that the hypothetical WOC would probably make a much, much better point, and therefore doesn’t belong on Gawker.
I just read that article, Bijlee…I just…I have no words.
Seriously? Its not 1992 anymore. I am fairly certain these parents he is referring to were listening to real rap when it first came out.
The whole issue of appropriation is very interesting and how people work their knickers into a twist about it. How is this guy privileged when the most successful rap artists are black and are incredibly wealthy influencers? Does this mean people in Japan can’t dance salsa (which they do) or that Martha Graham couldn’t adopt hip isolations or that Harlem Dance Theater couldn’t exist because it’s too ‘classical’ or ‘white’ type of dance etc; or that people of ‘color’ can’t play the cello or sing opera? Yo, before rap there were some quite famous black singers with a hugely popular all-color audience. Ella Fitzgerald, anyone? Nobody ‘owns’ art or expression, regardless of color. Yes, whites have advantages and our society has a long way to go, but get over it with regards to artistic expression.
THIS!!!
A lot of Japanese kids are really into rockabilly/psychobilly, too. My husband & all of his guys rock the cuffed jeans & greased back pomps. One of them married a Japanese ballerina & he is approached by rockabilly kids every time they go back to visit her family. He has such a blast talking about this “American” thing with kids on the other side of the world.
Its the fact that going by many of the comments here he is perceived as the first and only socially conscious rapper and THAT is fueling his success. Its triggering white savior issues, as if it took a white man to clean up hiphop. The grievance as I understand it is not that he appropriated rap but rather is being depicted as the great savior come to save the savages. If there is an appropriation grievance, its being applied against Positive Rap not just rap generally.
Yes, but is HE fueling that White Savior schtick? I sure as hell don’t think so
I think someone above addressed this. To paraphrase her he is part of the problem for his ommissions. He knows he is being depicted as a pioneer of positive hiphop even though he really isnt. He knows its a racially tinged perception and its pushing records but beyond admitting it isnt actively resisting the misperceptions. That poster suggests that he start to regularly name drop the true pioneers. He has a platform that can finally open up radio airplay to positive black men. He can select contemporary positive black artists who never get a platform to curtain raise and even sell their records at his concerts. He can collaborate with these guys in new music and raise their profile that way. Even in this interview he squandered a great opportunity to mention 3 or 4 black rappers who are his callibre but are overlooked.
Rolling Stone covers have been terrible lately. Except the one with the bomber, that was a pretty good one.
It really was, and the article was great too. The backlash over it was ridiculous at best
+1
You can’t stop future terrorists by only “remembering the victims” and pretending the past terrorists don’t exist. The backlash was about people not wanting to face the fact that we actually have a serious, violent issue on the rise.
Completely agree – the bomber cover + article was RS’s best work in a long time.
The reaction to the cover was also very interesting and revealed a lot about the biases in American society.
I thought it was a good cover and story as well.
i stopped reading rolling stone about 3 years ago when they put snookie on the cover.
I am not a fan of hip-hop music, but I really do like Macklemore. I don’t give a shit what his skintone is, his music resonates with me & that is all that matters.
This reminds me (a little bit) of another of my favorite musicians, JD MacPherson. He plays blues/R&B/rockabilly music &, at first listen, he sounds like an old black man from the Delta, rather than the white Oklahoman high school teacher that he is/was.
My rambling point is this: musicians don’t chose the genre that will make them the most music, they chose the one they are most comfortable with (I’m excluding pop stars in this assessment.) It isn’t the artists who are making a big deal about race/genre, its the media trying to create a story. Ben didn’t bring it up, he answered a question that was put to him.
Also, he is sofa king hot. *fans self*
I LOVE this guy! Saw him live at Squamist Fest earlier this month and he was an outstanding performer. He has many other great songs than “Thrift SHop” and “Same Love”, such as “We Danced” and “Can’t Hold Us”. In the video for “We Danced”, he is hilarious and you can clearly tell he doesn’t take himself too seriously.
As for his thoughts on white privilage, I can see where he is coming from. However, after Eminem broke the hip hop mold a few years ago, it’s no surprise to see a taleneted white guy rapping. Big deal. I’d like him regardless of his skin tone or race. HIs music has a good message and isn’t degrading women or glorifying drugs and violence – thats good enough for me!
I think this guy is humble, intelligent, driven, and very talented. We will see a lot of him in the days and years to come.
Linet, i’m not going to bother answering your screed wherein you assume a great deal; I put the comment there because that’s where my computer let me;
Second, my son, all his friends, and I, are huge jimi fans; most young blacks don’t listen to Hendrix and ignore him:FACT.
Third, I don’t think Lil Wayne who is awful (are you aware of the Emmitt Till controversy)represents the entire genre; Are you aware of the completely neglected old school west coast Chicano hip hop? (some of it quite good);
Fourth, a “revolution” didn’t put Mr. Obama in the white house; more americans voted for him than for his opponents (I voted for him twice);
FIfth, your concept of “revolution” is incomprehensible. People have been educating themselves for millenia, what’s “revolutionary” about that?
Sixth, don’t blame the white man for the thug marketing – many rappers willingly go along with it, and they make boatloads of money off the imagery.
You need to calm down, and drop the racial tone – but doesn’t this just prove my point – if the music were truly good, we would just enjoy the music – after all, when I listen to Mozarts violin concertos, i don’t care what mozart’s opinions were, or whether he had any – doesn’t matter, the music’s immortal and stands on it’s own.
How many “young blacks” do you know? You know nothing of our listening habits so sit down. And you are the one race baiting but sadly for you there are no bigots here today so you are on your own.
Ikr? The part about her having kids sent a shiver down my spine. Aluta Continua my beautiful people of color.
So you’re not going to answer her by answering her?
All of a sudden you’re a huge fan of an artist (Hendrix) that she just happened to mention?
You don’t see anything at all revolutionary about Obama being elected twice?
I don’t think anyone is saying gangster rap is all the fault of the white man, since like other POC tropes, it can’t exist without some POCs playing to it for one reason of another (sells better, the only acting parts available, etc.).
I don’t know why this is really news? Eminem said years ago that he knows he’s successful because he’s white. Macklemore has a similar shtick. I read the Gawker article yesterday and I was shaking my head. They are just trying to stir things up with a stupid argument. Macklemore handled himself well in the interview and I think he’s a smart guy. He’s not the best “rapper”, but I think he’s a good songwriter. He should be able to make the music he wants no matter what color he is.
Well a song like “One Love”” would have been unthinkable even in the early ’90s and now it is mainstream. I can thank Macklemore for that …
No actually you can thank his white skin for that. What do you think they were playing at urban gay parades? Black rappers………some even gay……who will die poor and unappreciated.
Go ahead and be greatful but also acknowledge that he is riding his color.
Reggie – it’s grateful, hon. 😉 And black rappers ride their skin color all the time in music so these rappers are all the same.
So a white rapper must remember where the music came from and where it started? Did Marvin Gaye and Nat King Cole also have to remember where that music came from and where it started? Did Motown use their skin color to capitalize on their brand? Hell, yes, they did. This whole black vs. white shit has GOT TO STOP!
Holy mother of false equivalencies. Did you seriously just use Motown as an example of “us[ing] their skin color to capitalize on their brand?” Motown is significant because of how it allowed black artists to crossover into the mainstream without handing their art off to white performers. Perhaps “this whole black vs white shit” would stop if white people (and I’m white if that makes you feel better) would spend some time appreciating black history in this country.
RIGHT ON!
I XOXOX him so much, listen to his older stuff too, its so nice to hear GOOD quality music with a message…not some money drugs b****** BS! Yay for him- for real!
Why should he resign from the industry? Because he may have benefitted indirectly from a social injustice? Its not a zero sum game, Macklemore having a career does not take away a career from a black artist. Holding an individual personally responsible for a society wide issue is unsettling to me. If anything, Macklemore having a career and talking about the racial issue draws public attention to it. I truly think public attention on the issue is a stronger influence than leaving it ignored by mainstream media. This article is basically like saying “here, talk about me, talk about rap, talk about race.” Boom. On the Cover of the Rolling Stone.
He’s hot.
I damn LOVE him and busted out at a thrift shop while he was playing and explained to the folks around what his HIT was about..
yeah I got DIPPED by some strange man and another guy gave me his number, so what… I loved it and love this artist!!!
As a young black woman I can’t help but think: “At least he doesn’t degrade black women by calling us B’s and H’s and/or use colorism in his lyrics”.
With black mainstream rappers it’s almost always degrading to black women because it’s often full of sexist and intra-racist lyrics that always targets us because they know they can’t get away with it if they were to refer to white or “other” women that way.
I welcome guys like Macklemore, I don’t care about his skin color. I just like positive messages overall.
You just missed the point of 75 percent of the posts here. THERE ARE TALENTED BLACK ARTIST DOING POSITIVE MUSIC. Macklemore is part of a significant sub genre. Its unsurprising that after 30 years of no major cross overs, the one who DOES make it is white.
He should have said he got his Nike’s at the thrift shop!!
I really REALLY love this guy!!
He’s self aware and practical. I dig it.