Macklemore: Real Life Raps

By Em Maffei

Macklemore is a four-time Grammy Award winning hip hop artist who raps about real life issues that are going on in America today. Ben Haggerty, better known as Macklemore, was born and raised in Seattle, Washington and started to get recognition from his infamous song “Thrift Shop” in 2012.

Macklemore x Ryan Lewis - Thrift Shop

It wasn’t until this past year that he really got his fame. His song “Same Love” raps about the issues of gay rights in society. Young people of our culture shouldn’t have to feel ashamed or scared to come out. “No freedom till we’re equal, damn right I support it,” he sings. This song has touched many lives and has opened many eyes. It is all the same love. Human rights for everyone, there is no difference!

Macklemore x Ryan Lewis - Same Love

Another song that talks about a different social issue is “Wing$.” This song touches upon the social and cultural hegemonies brought on by brand names, specifically Nike. It goes against the thought of “you are what you buy.” Don’t compare your self worth to the “swoosh” on your shoes. (The “swoosh,” for those of you that don’t know, is the Nike symbol.) In the song, Macklemore talks about people being killed for their popular Nike shoes. Young people buy these Nikes to “play better” and/or to be popular. Nike, “Just do it.” The social and cultural influence of Nike is heard all over the world. The chorus, sung by children, says, “I bought these dreams...that all fall down.”

This song is a very powerful message to everyone in this world today. All of us are consumers, some more than others, and advertising plays a big role in what we buy, why we wear it, and where we bought it from. We are influenced consciously and subconsciously all day long. Society is exposed to numerous advertisements on a daily basis between brands, commercials, and logos. Unfortunately people are being judged for what they wear. Macklemore wants to fight that point and says that we are not defined by what we wear. The sneakers you wear are not who you are, but society has warped the minds of many consumers. Consumerism is a real issue that, unfortunately, isn’t changing anytime soon.