Jump to content

The Heist (album)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Heist
Studio album by
ReleasedOctober 9, 2012 (2012-10-09)
Recorded2009–2012
Studio
Genre
Length64:09
Label
  • Macklemore LLC
  • ADA
ProducerRyan Lewis
Macklemore & Ryan Lewis chronology
The Vs. Redux
(2010)
The Heist
(2012)
This Unruly Mess I've Made
(2016)
Singles from The Heist
  1. "Wings"
    Released: January 21, 2011
  2. "Can't Hold Us"
    Released: August 16, 2011
  3. "Same Love"
    Released: July 18, 2012
  4. "Thrift Shop"
    Released: August 27, 2012
  5. "Can't Hold Us"
    Released: January 24, 2013
    (re-release)
  6. "White Walls"
    Released: October 8, 2013

The Heist is the debut studio album by American hip hop duo Macklemore & Ryan Lewis. It was released on October 9, 2012, by Macklemore LLC, distributed under the Alternative Distribution Alliance. The album was independently self-produced, self-recorded and self-released by the duo, with no mainstream promotion or support. After the album's release, the duo hired Warner Music Group's radio promotion department to help the push with their singles for a small percentage of the sales.[1]

The album was recorded in Seattle, Washington between 2009 and 2012.[2] Four singles were released before the album; the fourth single, "Thrift Shop", was the most commercially successful – peaking at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and in 17 other countries, including in Australia and New Zealand, as well as a successful run on the charts in many other countries. The album's second single "Can't Hold Us" was also largely commercially successful, peaking at number one in the United States, Australia, and Sweden.

The album sold 78,000 copies in its first week, debuting at number two on the Billboard 200, and at number one on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums, while entering the Canadian Albums Chart at number four.[3] The album received generally positive reviews from critics. On January 26, 2014, it won the Grammy Award for Best Rap Album, where it was also nominated for Album of the Year and earned Macklemore and Ryan Lewis the award for Best New Artist.[4] As of early 2016, the album has sold 1,490,000 copies in the United States.[5]

Background

[edit]

In July 2012, Macklemore and Ryan Lewis announced that their full-length debut album will be titled The Heist, and it would be released on October 9, 2012, as well as a subsequent world tour to promote the release.[6] On July 18, 2012, the duo released the Mary Lambert-assisted single "Same Love", in support of Washington state's Referendum 74 regarding gay marriage.[7] It was announced that the song would be included on the album, as were previously released singles "Wings" and "Can't Hold Us." In an interview with The Sermon's Domain, Macklemore confirmed a collaboration with Schoolboy Q on a song about Cadillacs called "White Walls." The song titled "Jimmy Iovine" featuring Ab-Soul was also confirmed.[8] On September 4, 2012, Macklemore and Ryan Lewis released a video promoting the deluxe edition of The Heist, showing it as a box made out of faux-gator skin.

Singles

[edit]

The official debut single, "Wings" was released on January 21, 2011. It was produced by Ryan Lewis. The song reached at number 40 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, and number 12 on the Billboard's Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles chart.

The album's second single, "Can't Hold Us" featuring Ray Dalton, was released on August 16, 2011. The track eventually caught the attention of Sean Lynch, a writer from The Source; who initiated an interview to land Macklemore in the magazine's "Unsigned Hype" column in 2012. It debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 at number 97 for the week ending on February 16, 2013, and peaked at number one on the week of May 18, 2013, and remained there for 5 consecutive weeks, becoming the longest running consecutive number-one of 2013, tied with "Harlem Shake" by Baauer (although both were later bested by Robin Thicke's "Blurred Lines", which remained atop the chart for 12 consecutive weeks). It also peaked at number one on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. It as well reached at number one in Australia and Belgium.

The album's third single, "Same Love" featuring Mary Lambert, was released on July 18, 2012, and gained significant coverage in the media due to its content supporting same-sex marriage and criticizing homophobia in hip hop culture. "Same Love" debuted at number 99 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart for the week ending February 16, 2013, and peaked at number 11. The single reached number one in Australia in the ARIA Charts and on New Zealand's RIANZ chart.

The album's fourth single, "Thrift Shop" featuring Wanz, was very successful commercially. It was released on August 27, 2012, and peaked on the Billboard Hot 100 at number one for six non-consecutive weeks. "Thrift Shop" has sold over 6 million copies in the United States.[9] "Thrift Shop" also reached the top of the Australian and New Zealand singles charts and was certified 6× Platinum in Australia and 2× Platinum in New Zealand. In Canada, it reached at number one on the Canadian Hot 100. The single has also become a veritable international hit, charting in many European singles charts; including Austria, Denmark, France, Finland, Germany, Norway, The Netherlands, Sweden and the United Kingdom.

The album's fifth single, "White Walls" featuring guest vocals from fellow rapper Schoolboy Q and singer Hollis, which they was performed the song on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno on August 27, 2013.[10] It was officially released to mainstream radio on October 8, 2013.[11] The song has since peaked at number 15 on the Billboard Hot 100

Promotional singles

[edit]

"My Oh My" was released as the album's promotional single on December 21, 2010. The song was included as a bonus track on the album.[12]

Critical reception

[edit]
Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
Metacritic74/100[13]
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[14]
The Austin Chronicle[15]
HipHopDX4.0/5[16]
MSN Music (Expert Witness)B+[17]
Q[18]
RapReviews8.5/10[19]
Rolling Stone[20]
XXL4/5[21]

The Heist received generally positive reviews from critics. At Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream publications, the album received an average score of 74, based on eight reviews.[13] David Jeffries of AllMusic said, "Macklemore's a mix of all of the above with some distinctive qualities, and with Lewis putting that kaleidoscope style underneath, The Heist winds up a rich combination of fresh and familiar."[14]

Adam Fleischer of XXL praised its originality and production, stating "It's these sort of astute observations on the human condition and keen self-awareness that set this effort apart. That reality, coupled with Ryan Lewis' vast, daring and layered production, makes The Heist a truly beautiful album that challenges musical boundaries."[21] Edwin Ortiz of HipHopDX saying the album was "An exemplary balance of serious and cheerful cuts alike, very seldom does The Heist reach beyond its means. And when it does, it's more so due to lack of creative placement than effort."[16] Jody Rosen of Rolling Stone said, "The record has its charms (the single "Thrift Shop", a cheeky ode to second-hand duds) and its virtues (the marriage equality anthem "Same Love"). Unfortunately, Macklemore's virtuousness overwhelms his far more modest charms."[20]

In his Barnes & Noble list, Robert Christgau named The Heist as the seventy-second best album of 2012.[22]

Commercial performance

[edit]

The Heist debuted at number two on the Billboard 200 chart, behind only Mumford & Sons's Babel and sold 78,000 copies in its first week, marking the best sales week yet for both Macklemore and Lewis. It went number one on the ITunes Charts, beating MellowHype’s Numbers album. 83% of the first-week sales derived from digital download. On April 3, 2013, it was announced that the album has reached Gold status, with over 500,000 copies sold.[23] As of February 2016, it has sold 1,490,000 copies domestically.[5] It also debuted at number four on the Canadian Albums Chart.[24]

Track listing

[edit]
  • All songs produced by Ryan Lewis.
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Ten Thousand Hours"
4:09
2."Can't Hold Us" (featuring Ray Dalton)
  • Haggerty
  • Lewis
  • Dalton
4:18
3."Thrift Shop" (featuring Wanz)
  • Haggerty
  • Lewis
  • Wanz
3:57
4."Thin Line" (featuring Buffalo Madonna)
  • Haggerty
  • Lewis
  • Nate Quiroga
4:16
5."Same Love" (featuring Mary Lambert)
  • Haggerty
  • Lewis
  • Lambert
5:20
6."Make the Money"
  • Haggerty
  • Lewis
3:44
7."Neon Cathedral" (featuring Allen Stone)
  • Haggerty
  • Lewis
  • Stone
4:34
8."BomBom" (featuring The Teaching)Lewis4:55
9."White Walls" (featuring Schoolboy Q and Hollis)
3:40
10."Jimmy Iovine" (featuring Ab-Soul)
3:53
11."Wings"
  • Haggerty
  • Lewis
  • Wear
  • Andrew Joslyn
4:59
12."A Wake" (featuring Evan Roman)
  • Haggerty
  • Lewis
  • Roman
3:46
13."Gold" (featuring Eighty4 Fly)
  • Haggerty
  • Lewis
  • Devon Taylor
4:11
14."Starting Over" (featuring Ben Bridwell of Band of Horses)
  • Haggerty
  • Lewis
  • Bridwell
4:11
15."Cowboy Boots"
  • Haggerty
  • Lewis
4:16
Total length:64:09
Deluxe edition (bonus tracks)
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
16."Castle"
  • Haggerty
  • Lewis
4:18
17."My Oh My" (featuring Dave Niehaus)
  • Haggerty
  • Lewis
  • Niehaus
4:17
18."Victory Lap"
  • Haggerty
  • Lewis
3:34

Personnel

[edit]
  • Macklemore – lead vocals, main artist
  • Ryan Lewis – producer, mixing, electric piano (track 7)
  • Elan Wright – bass (tracks 1, 8, 14)
  • Lindsey Starr – backing vocals (track 1)
  • Ray Dalton – vocals (track 2), backing vocals (tracks 2, 11, 15)
  • Greg Kramer – trombone (tracks 2, 5, 17)
  • Owuor Arunga – trumpet (tracks 2, 6, 11, 17), backing vocals (track 18)
  • Andrew Joslyn – violin (tracks 2, 5, 6, 11, 14, 17), backing vocals (track 15), composer (track 7), viola (track 11), percussion (track 11)
  • Victoria Fuangaromya – backing vocals (track 2)
  • Tyler Andrews – backing vocals (track 2)
  • Camila Recchio – backing vocals (track 2, 11)
  • Wanz – vocals (track 3)
  • DV One – scratches (track 3)
  • Buffalo Madonna – vocals (track 4)
  • Mary Lambert – vocals (track 5)
  • Natalie Hall – cello (track 5)
  • Josh Rawlings – piano (tracks 5 and 8), electric piano (track 7)
  • Noah Goldberg – piano (tracks 6, 11 and 17), organ (track 11), electric piano (track 7), backing vocals (track 16)
  • Seattle Rock Orchestra – strings (track 7)
  • Jeremy Jones – drums, percussion (track 8)
  • Evan Flory-Barnes – upright bass (track 8)
  • Josh Karp – trumpet (tracks 8 and 14), guitar (track 14), bass (track 16)
  • Schoolboy Q – vocals (track 9)
  • Hollis – vocals (track 9)
  • Ab-Soul – vocals (track 10)
  • Zach Fleury – bass (track 11)
  • Dana Albaum – cello (tracks 11, 17)
  • Sonny Byers – vocals (track 11)
  • Denny Middle School Choir – vocals (track 11)
  • Evan Roman – vocals (track 12)
  • Eighty4 Fly – vocals (track 13)
  • Ben Bridwell – vocals (track 14)
  • Mark Isakson – banjo (track 15)
  • Joshua Rule Dobson – synth (track 16), bass (track 16)

Charts

[edit]

Certifications

[edit]
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[72] 2× Platinum 140,000^
Austria (IFPI Austria)[73] Gold 7,500*
Canada (Music Canada)[74] Platinum 80,000^
Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[75] 2× Platinum 40,000
France (SNEP)[76] Platinum 100,000*
Germany (BVMI)[77] Platinum 200,000
Italy (FIMI)[78] Platinum 50,000
New Zealand (RMNZ)[79] Platinum 15,000^
Norway (IFPI Norway)[80] Gold 15,000*
Sweden (GLF)[81] Platinum 40,000
Switzerland (IFPI Switzerland)[82] Gold 15,000^
United Kingdom (BPI)[83] Platinum 300,000
United States (RIAA)[84] 5× Platinum 5,000,000

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.
Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Macklemore & Ryan Lewis". macklemore. Archived from the original on 2014-10-11.
  2. ^ "The Heist – Macklemore & Ryan Lewis". AllMusic.
  3. ^ "On the Charts: Mumford & Sons Slip, Macklemore and Ryan Lewis Impress". Rolling Stone.
  4. ^ "Grammy Awards 2014: Full Nominations List". Billboard.
  5. ^ a b "Upcoming Releases". HDD. February 2, 2016. Archived from the original on February 2, 2016. Retrieved February 9, 2016.
  6. ^ "Macklemore x Ryan Lewis – The Heist Begins Oct. 9th". YouTube. 19 July 2012. Retrieved July 19, 2012.
  7. ^ "That's That...: Macklemore & Ryan Lewis – "Same Love" (feat. Mary Lambert)". thatsthatish.
  8. ^ "Macklemore Talks ScHoolboy Q and Ab-Soul Collaborations on New Album | XXL". XXL. 5 September 2012. Retrieved October 30, 2012.
  9. ^ Trust, Gary (February 13, 2013). "Macklemore & Ryan Lewis' 'Thrift Shop' No. 1 On Hot 100 for Fourth Week". Billboard. Retrieved February 24, 2013.
  10. ^ "Macklemore & Ryan Lewis Perform with ScHoolboy Q on 'Leno'". Rap-Up.
  11. ^ "FMQB: Radio Industry News, Music Industry Updates, Nielsen Ratings, Music News and more!". FMQB.
  12. ^ "My Oh My (Single)". Pandora Radio. Retrieved April 25, 2013.
  13. ^ a b "Reviews for The Heist by Macklemore and Ryan Lewis". Metacritic. Retrieved May 1, 2013.
  14. ^ a b Jeffries, David. "The Heist – Macklemore & Ryan Lewis / Macklemore / Ryan Lewis". AllMusic. Retrieved May 1, 2013.
  15. ^ Hoffberger, Chase (October 26, 2012). "Macklemore & Ryan Lewis: The Heist". The Austin Chronicle. Retrieved June 10, 2013.
  16. ^ a b Ortiz, Edwin (October 24, 2012). "Macklemore & Ryan Lewis – The Heist". HipHopDX. Retrieved May 1, 2013.
  17. ^ Christgau, Robert (October 12, 2012). "The Henry Clay People/Macklemore & Ryan Lewis". MSN Music. Retrieved May 1, 2013.
  18. ^ "Macklemore and Ryan Lewis: The Heist". Q (321): 94. April 2013.
  19. ^ Gase, Zach "Goose" (October 23, 2012). "Macklemore & Ryan Lewis :: The Heist". RapReviews. Retrieved May 1, 2013.
  20. ^ a b Rosen, Jody (February 9, 2012). "The Heist". Rolling Stone. Retrieved June 10, 2013.
  21. ^ a b Fleischer, Adam (October 9, 2012). "Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, The Heist". XXL. Archived from the original on October 12, 2012. Retrieved July 15, 2015.
  22. ^ Hales, Dianne R. (January 14, 2013). "The Dean's List 2012 – The Barnes & Noble Review". Barnes & Noble. Retrieved May 1, 2013.
  23. ^ Ahmed, Insanul. "Macklemore & Ryan Lewis "The Heist" Goes Gold". Complex Networks. Retrieved April 3, 2013.
  24. ^ a b "Macklemore & Ryan Lewis Chart History (Canadian Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved March 8, 2016.
  25. ^ "Australiancharts.com – Macklemore & Ryan Lewis – The Heist". Hung Medien. Retrieved May 8, 2013.
  26. ^ "Austriancharts.at – Macklemore & Ryan Lewis – The Heist" (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved May 8, 2013.
  27. ^ "Ultratop.be – Macklemore & Ryan Lewis – The Heist" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved May 8, 2013.
  28. ^ "Ultratop.be – Macklemore & Ryan Lewis – The Heist" (in French). Hung Medien. Retrieved May 8, 2013.
  29. ^ "Danishcharts.dk – Macklemore & Ryan Lewis – The Heist". Hung Medien. Retrieved May 8, 2013.
  30. ^ "Dutchcharts.nl – Macklemore & Ryan Lewis – The Heist" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved May 8, 2013.
  31. ^ "Lescharts.com – Macklemore & Ryan Lewis – The Heist". Hung Medien. Retrieved May 8, 2013.
  32. ^ "Offiziellecharts.de – Macklemore & Ryan Lewis – The Heist" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved September 5, 2024.
  33. ^ "GFK Chart-Track". IRMA. Archived from the original on September 21, 2013. Retrieved July 28, 2015.
  34. ^ "Italiancharts.com – Macklemore & Ryan Lewis – The Heist". Hung Medien. Retrieved October 27, 2013.
  35. ^ "Charts.nz – Macklemore & Ryan Lewis – The Heist". Hung Medien. Retrieved May 8, 2013.
  36. ^ "Norwegiancharts.com – Macklemore & Ryan Lewis – The Heist". Hung Medien. Retrieved July 19, 2013.
  37. ^ "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved September 5, 2024.
  38. ^ "Spanishcharts.com – Macklemore & Ryan Lewis – The Heist". Hung Medien. Retrieved September 4, 2013.
  39. ^ "Swedishcharts.com – Macklemore & Ryan Lewis – The Heist". Hung Medien. Retrieved September 13, 2013.
  40. ^ "Swisscharts.com – Macklemore & Ryan Lewis – The Heist". Hung Medien. Retrieved May 8, 2013.
  41. ^ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved July 31, 2016.
  42. ^ "Official Indie Albums Charts Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved July 27, 2015.
  43. ^ "Official R&B Albums Charts Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved July 31, 2016.
  44. ^ "Macklemore & Ryan Lewis Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved March 8, 2016.
  45. ^ "Macklemore & Ryan Lewis Chart History (Independent Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved March 8, 2016.
  46. ^ "Macklemore & Ryan Lewis Chart History (Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved March 8, 2016.
  47. ^ "Portuguesecharts.com – Macklemore & Ryan Lewis – The Heist". Hung Medien. Retrieved February 8, 2024.
  48. ^ "Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums – Year-End 2012". Billboard. Retrieved August 1, 2020.
  49. ^ "ARIA Charts – End Of Year Charts – Top 100 Albums 2013". Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). Retrieved January 7, 2014.
  50. ^ "Jahreshitparade Alben 2013". austriancharts.at. Retrieved July 13, 2020.
  51. ^ "ultratop.be – Jaaroverzichten 2013". Ultratop.be (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved December 31, 2013.
  52. ^ "ultratop.be – Rapports Annuels 2013". Ultratop.be (in French). Hung Medien. Retrieved December 31, 2013.
  53. ^ "Top Canadian Albums – Year-End 2013". Billboard. Retrieved July 13, 2020.
  54. ^ "dutchcharts.nl – Jaaroverzichten – Album 2013". Dutchcharts.nl (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved December 27, 2013.
  55. ^ "Top de l'année Top Albums 2013" (in French). SNEP. Retrieved July 13, 2020.
  56. ^ "Top 100 Album-Jahrescharts". GfK Entertainment (in German). Offiziellecharts.de. Retrieved 10 August 2015.
  57. ^ "Lorde topped by Sol3 Mio in album charts". The New Zealand Herald. December 25, 2013. Retrieved December 31, 2013.
  58. ^ "Årslista Album – År 2013" (in Swedish). Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved July 13, 2020.
  59. ^ "Swiss Year-End Charts 2013 – swisscharts.com". Swisscharts.com (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved January 1, 2014.
  60. ^ "End of Year Album Chart Top 100 – 2013". Official Charts Company. Retrieved July 13, 2020.
  61. ^ "2013 Year-End Charts – Billboard 200 Albums". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved December 31, 2013.
  62. ^ "2013 Year-End Charts – R&B/Hip-Hop Albums". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved December 31, 2013.
  63. ^ "2013 Year-End Charts – Rap Albums". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved December 31, 2013.
  64. ^ "Jaaroverzichten 2014". Ultratop. Retrieved July 13, 2020.
  65. ^ "Årslista Album – År 2014" (in Swedish). Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved July 13, 2020.
  66. ^ "2014 Year-End Charts – Billboard 200 Albums". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved July 29, 2018.
  67. ^ "Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums – Year-End 2014". Billboard. Retrieved July 13, 2020.
  68. ^ "Årslista Album – År 2017" (in Swedish). Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved January 16, 2018.
  69. ^ "Jaaroverzichten – Album 2023". dutchcharts.nl (in Dutch). Retrieved January 3, 2024.
  70. ^ "2019 ARIA End of Decade Albums Chart". January 2020. Retrieved 17 January 2020.
  71. ^ "Decade-End Charts: Billboard 200". Billboard. Retrieved November 15, 2019.
  72. ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2014 Albums" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association.
  73. ^ "Austrian album certifications – Macklemore & Ryan Lewis – The Heist" (in German). IFPI Austria.
  74. ^ "Canadian album certifications – Macklemore & Ryan Lewis – The Heist". Music Canada.
  75. ^ "Danish album certifications – Macklemore & Ryan Lewis – The Heist". IFPI Danmark. Retrieved July 3, 2024.
  76. ^ "French album certifications – Macklemore & Ryan Lewis – The Heist" (in French). InfoDisc. Retrieved November 25, 2021. Select MACKLEMORE & RYAN LEWIS and click OK. 
  77. ^ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Macklemore & Ryan Lewis; 'The Heist')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie.
  78. ^ "Italian album certifications – Macklemore & Ryan Lewis – The Heist" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Retrieved January 4, 2022.
  79. ^ "New Zealand album certifications – Macklemore & Ryan Lewis – The Heist". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved November 11, 2013. {{cite web}}: |archive-url= is malformed: timestamp (help)CS1 maint: url-status (link)[dead link]THE FIELD archive-url MUST BE PROVIDED for NEW ZEALAND CERTIFICATION from obsolete website.
  80. ^ "Norwegian album certifications – Macklemore – The Heist" (in Norwegian). IFPI Norway. Retrieved November 25, 2021.
  81. ^ "Veckolista Album, vecka 50, 2013 | Sverigetopplistan" (in Swedish). Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved August 24, 2022. Scroll to position 37 to view certification.
  82. ^ "The Official Swiss Charts and Music Community: Awards ('The Heist')". IFPI Switzerland. Hung Medien.
  83. ^ "British album certifications – Macklemore & Ryan Lewis – The Heist". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved July 19, 2024.
  84. ^ "American album certifications – Macklemore & Ryan Lewis – The Heist". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved October 6, 2022.