Jessica Schein

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Trapped in the Tumblr Closet: Macklemore

Macklemore is using the spoken word to create change. With his immaculate blonde quiff, wistful blue eyes, and sartorial style, this Seattle-born rapper (real name Ben Haggerty) is sincere in his songs and urgent in their meanings. With help from producer Ryan Lewis, he’s putting the spotlight on addiction, civil rights, loyalty, love, and pride in a humble, genuine, relatable way. This stuff is socially conscious rap at its best. Macklemore & Ryan Lewis’ first studio album, The Heist, is out today — premiering at No. 1 on the iTunes store. 

— Sky Dylan-Robbins

I saw Macklemore perform almost three years ago, when he opened for the Blue Scholars at The Showbox. He blew me away then and with this new album does so yet again.