Macklemore
Macklemore |
|---|
Macklemore (born Ben Haggerty) is a hip hop artist based in Seattle, Washington. Macklemore works with Ryan Lewis (Producer) Andrew Joslyn (Violin), Owour Arunga (Trumpet) and Zach Fleury (Drums, Guitar, Bass). Macklemore is popular in his hometown of Seattle since beginning his musical career at Garfield High School [1], often performing at the famous Capitol Hill Block Party. In 2008, Macklemore toured across Europe, and performed at Bumbershoot, a major arts and music festival in Seattle .[2] He is of Irish descent, a fact he references in his song "Irish Celebration".
History
Macklemore released his first EP, The Language of my World in 2005, and performed live until teaming up with Ryan Lewis in 2009 to produce The VS. EP. Since then, Macklemore has been picked up by The Agency Group[3], an international booking company representing famous bands including 3OH!3, A Tribe Called Quest, Finger Eleven, and Flogging Molly, among others.[4]
In 2005, Abyssinian Creole collaborated with Macklemore on the latter's track "Claiming the City."
In the past, Macklemore has struggled with substance abuse problems, which he considers the reason for his lack of production between 2005 and 2009. [5] He celebrated two years of sobriety in early August 2010, as stated during his performance at Capitol Hill Bock Party 2010. In late April of 2010, he performed an impromptu set at a house party at Colorado College. The set consisted of his track "And We Danced", two consecutive times to the ecstatic screams of over two hundred deeply devoted fans. [6]
His music is inspirational, filled with social and racial consciousness, as well as a constructive political vision. He’s also funny as hell, making music that is at once hilarious and affecting. Born and raised in Seattle’s Capitol Hill neighborhood Macklemore has been an integral part of the Seattle hip-hop scene for the past 7 years. He developed his style and character as part of Elevated Elements, which he founded when he was just 14 years old, and quickly moved on to pursue his solo career. From these humble beginnings Macklemore has matured, both as a songwriter and performer, into an artist who is clearly beginning to realize his near limitless potential.
On his debut album, The Language of My World, Macklemore drafts a lyrical landscape of classic proportions. This record is teeming with energy and ambition, serving as a fitting debut for one of this country’s most promising young artists. Macklemore’s gift, like that of all great songwriters, is his ability to speak on universal experiences in a uniquely personal way. Throughout The Language of My World, Macklemore consistently addresses topics that are uncomfortable or taboo, in an attempt to exorcise his own personal demons.
The Language of My World marks the beginning of a movement. The album also features the talents of emcee Xperience who, along with Macklemore, makes up one half of the super-group Step Cousins. Step Cousins features the lighter side of Macklemore. The chemistry that these two have together is nothing short of timeless. Their debut album dropped in the summer of 2006 with minimal press release.
Discography
| Date | Album |
|---|---|
| Jan 2005 | The Language of My World |
| Sept 2009 | The Unplanned Mixtape |
| Dec 2009 | The VS. EP |
Videography
External Links
References
- ^ http://www.huffingtonpost.com/peter-schwartz/seattle-to-the-bone_b_445716.html
- ^ http://seattlest.com/2008/03/28/we_interview_ma.php
- ^ http://www.theagencygroup.com/artist.aspx?ArtistID=6142
- ^ http://www.theagencygroup.com/artists.aspx
- ^ http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/medicine-man/Content?oid=2820949
- ^ http://music.coeusclothing.com/macklemore-and-we-danced/