Seattle’s Macklemore & Ryan Lewis are changing the game – not in the hyperbolic way I usually state that people are “changing the game,” but in the actual, “things won’t be the same because of this album” way. Their self-released (a big deal) debut full-length album The Heist dropped yesterday and immediately shot to the top of the iTunes chart, where it still remains. It’s a true hip-hop record about real issues, and it’s immediately one of the best records of 2012.
The duo have been building momentum for a while now – releasing mixtapes and EPs, touring the globe, and producing a slew of their own music videos. Their track “Thrift Shop” blew up online at the end of August, and they continued their trend of virality with the video for “Same Love,” a song created to promote marriage equality, that currently has over three million views.
Macklemore & Ryan Lewis’s public takeover is the most refreshing emergence in the hip-hop world since Kanye West’s The College Dropout, and I have my fingers crossed for a total world dominance.
Music in general needs more social relevancy, and I’m earnestly thankful that Macklemore’s lyrics are being heard. In addition to his conversation about homophobia in hip-hop in “Same Love,” Macklemore writes about deceit of record companies, gentrification, racial roles, commercial obsession, and other things that every other popular hip-hop record should really cover. It’s an honest record of emotion, humor, and awareness – the themes that began and popularized the genre in the first place.
During a year that has been stacked with amazing releases, The Heist proudly stands out as one of the top highlights.
Start your obsession with their biggest hits. Be aware, in true “this is a hip-hop record” fashion, there is some swearing. Proceed.
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