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Who Is Macklemore?
Macklemore, the stage name of rapper Ben Haggerty, developed a passion for hip-hop during his childhood. He initially released solo work but faced challenges due to drug abuse, leading to a stint in rehab in 2008. Following this period, he collaborated with producer Ryan Lewis, resulting in significant success with their debut album, The Heist. The album featured hit singles like “Thrift Shop” and “Can’t Hold Us,” selling millions of copies worldwide. In 2014, the duo garnered four Grammy Awards, including Best New Artist, and released their sophomore album, This Unruly Mess I’ve Made, two years later.
Background and Early Career
Born on June 19, 1983, in Seattle, Washington, Macklemore grew up in the Capitol Hill neighborhood. His mother, a social worker, instilled in him the values of acceptance and support for diversity. From a young age, he was drawn to performance, influenced by hip-hop groups such as Kris Kross and Digital Underground, as well as pop icon Michael Jackson. Macklemore attended Garfield High School, which boasts notable alumni like Quincy Jones and Jimi Hendrix. Unfortunately, it was during his time there that he began to struggle with alcohol and drug use, prompting his parents to transfer him to a different school and enroll him in a college-credit program.
He later attended Evergreen State College in Olympia, Washington, where he released an EP titled Open Your Eyes under the name Professor Macklemore in 2000. His full-length debut, The Language of My World, followed in 2005.
Drug Abuse and Rehab
As Macklemore’s career began to ascend, he found himself increasingly drawn to the temptations of fame, including a lifestyle characterized by substance abuse. This tumultuous period culminated in a 35-day rehab program in the summer of 2008, a decision made at the urging of his father.
Collaboration with Ryan Lewis
Just before embarking on his journey to sobriety, Macklemore met teenage DJ and producer Ryan Lewis. This pivotal encounter led to their collaboration, resulting in the release of the Vs. Redux EP in 2010. Eschewing the traditional record-label approach, the duo chose to independently produce their full-length debut album, leveraging their business acumen, diligent effort, and the power of word-of-mouth and online promotion. Their groundbreaking album, The Heist, was released in October 2012.
Major Hits: “Thrift Shop” and “Can’t Hold Us”
The album’s lead single, “Thrift Shop,” soared to the top of the Billboard Hot 100 chart and achieved over 6 million downloads. The accompanying music video became a cultural phenomenon, amassing tens of millions of views on YouTube. Their second single, “Can’t Hold Us,” also reached No. 1 on the Hot 100, making Macklemore and Ryan Lewis the first duo in music history to have their initial two singles top the pop charts.
Part of the duo’s appeal lies in their innovative approach, featuring themes and lyrics that diverge from hip-hop’s traditional bravado. “Thrift Shop” celebrates thriftiness and a love for secondhand clothing, featuring a memorable chorus sung by Wanz, a former software engineer in his fifties. Additionally, the track “Same Love,” which features singer-songwriter Mary Lambert, serves as a tribute to same-sex unions. In 2013, Macklemore and Ryan Lewis embarked on a comprehensive international tour. The following year, they garnered four Grammy Awards, including several in the hip-hop category and the title of Best New Artist. In a moment of humility, Macklemore later expressed his regret to fellow rapper Kendrick Lamar via text, stating that he felt Lamar deserved the Grammy for Best Rap Album.
The duo released their second album, This Unruly Mess I’ve Made, in 2016, which was preceded by the Top 20 lead single “Downtown.”
Personal Life
In 2013, after seven years of dating, Macklemore became engaged to Tricia Davis. The couple welcomed their first child in May 2015, shortly before tying the knot the following month. Their family grew with the birth of their second child in March 2018.