So here is to my very unpopular opinion about another underrated music artist in the mix of the music industry. Hip hop and pop fans consume themselves with rappers like 21 Savage, Offset, Lil Pump, Cardi B, Kodak Black and the list goes on and on. The term “mumble” rappers have been used to describe these up and coming artists, with their music consistently topping charts. Songs about drugs for recreation, having money, owning guns and completely degrading women – point blank they are just downright awful.
Benjamin Hammond Haggerty, aka Macklemore, has been making music for close to 10 years, releasing hit songs like “Thrift Shop,” “Glorious,” “Can’t Hold Us” and “White Walls.” Now while people can bop to his songs, he is never listed as a favored rap artist. His music has always been chart topping every time he releases a new album, but rarely is he seen nominated for it. His music has brought smiles to so many people’s faces, especially me and my best friends. Macklemore’s music creates a pop, chill vibe that everyone can listen to. His songs are fun and upbeat, and also easy to understand. While I can absolutely bop to ZEZE, I can hardly ever sing along to those songs. “Good Old Days” was one of my favorite songs to listen to with my friends in high school, and it should be everyone’s to be completely honest. Roll the windows down, really listen to the lyrics and enjoy every moment you have with your friends. Other popular songs that he has produced have literally been about mopeds and thrift shop hauls, while more serious songs have truly dug deep in modern day problems. He was the one to teach me that deep down, we all have the same love. I mean come on; he even has a song dedicated to making his grandma Helen’s birthday extra. If you haven’t watched the music video for “Glorious” yet, I promise it will make you both cry and wish you were Miss Helen. Along with his music, Macklemore shows his love for both of his children, Sloane and Colette, all over social media along with his wife Tricia Davis, who by the way, waited to marry Macklemore until the Supreme Court ruled same-sex marriage was legal. If that isn’t the sweetest thing then I’m not sure what is. There have always been rappers out there to address issues no other genre can nail on the head, but so little have been acknowledged for it. Just last year, Childish Gambino had every news source analyzing his video. But we continue to listen to Esskeetit? So many artists, in every genre have had their own life problems, just like everyone else in the world, but so few turn their problems to artwork. If you’re ever feeling down in the dumps, throw on some Macklemore and I promise your day will get so much better. And yes, I will say it, Macklemore is one of the greatest rappers of this generation.