Macklemore

Chance The Rapper’s Tour Of Europe With Macklemore Was His ‘Toughest Challenge’ For Several Reasons

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Chance The Rapper Way out West Sweden 2022
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For new hip-hop fans, it may be hard to recall when Chance The Rapper was the genre’s golden child. But as the Chicago native continues to celebrate the 10th anniversary of his breakout mixtape Acid Rap, his impact on the culture and his fellow emcees is reentering mainstream consciousness. However, according to Chance, he didn’t always feel appreciated.

During a sit down with Apple Music’s Ebro Darden on The Ebro Show, the entertainer opened up about the more difficult points of his career.

“The toughest challenge I ever experienced was I went on tour with Macklemore,” said Chance.

He quickly clarified that the stain had nothing to do with his past collaborator, adding, “Macklemore is an amazing, amazing person and helped me out tremendously as well. But his shows were in Europe, and I think it was 38 dates, all 20,000 capacity rooms, all like off markets, too, like Poland and Dusseldorf. These people didn’t speak English at all. And not only did they not speak English, he sold out all these shows before I was announced on the ticket.”

Chance continued, “So it’s really bad when you go to a show, and there’s an opener that you don’t want to see. It’s way worse when it’s a surprise opener that you don’t want to see. That’s speaking a different language and Black, a lot of negatives on top of each other for the Swedish crowds. So I’m dealing with that.”

All in all, eventually, Chance used that experience to help improve his performance and as fuel for when it was his tour to headline. “When I came home, I got to finally feel at the end of that year when I went on my own solo tour, I got to feel having my own crowd, selling my own tickets and really built my whole off that tour,” he exclaimed.

Fast-forward to the present day, there aren’t many people who don’t know in some shape or form who Chance The Rapper is.

Ed Sheeran’s ‘Mathematics Tour’ Added Macklemore In Seattle To Perform ‘Thrift Shop’ And ‘Can’t Hold Us’

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Ed Sheeran CMAs 2023
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Ed Sheeran is ditching mathematics symbols for his newly announced next album, Autumn Variations, but he’s not quite done with his Mathematics Tour and Subtract Tour.

Over the weekend, the simultaneous North American treks landed in Seattle, Washington, where Sheeran promoted Autumn Variations at Starbucks. His Subtract Tour show happened on Friday, August 25, at Paramount Theatre, and then Sheeran’s Mathematics Tour lit up Lumen Field on Saturday, August 26. The latter featured proud Seattleite Macklemore.

“That was insane. 81,000 people and a Lumen Field record,” Macklemore captioned an Instagram carousel. “The entire show/production/you as a human…The best. Thank you for having me Ed.”

Macklemore and Sheeran also jointly posted an Instagram Reel that captured their performance of “Thrift Shop” and “Can’t Hold Us.” Sheeran captioned it, “What a moment, bringing out @macklemore in Seattle for a home crowd. Will never forget that energy in the stadium. Thank you Ben for your time, and your city rocks x”

On July 15, Eminem made a surprise appearance during Sheeran’s stop at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan to perform “Lose Yourself.”

Sheeran’s Mathematics Tour is scheduled to visit BC Place in Vancouver, BC on September 2, Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada on September 9, and Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California on September 16 before its finale on September 23 at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California.

Mirroring the Mathematics Tour schedule, Sheeran’s more intimate Subtract Tour will finish out at Vancouver’s Queen Elizabeth Theatre on September 1, Oakland’s Fox Theater on September 15, and Los Angeles’ Shrine Auditorium on September 22.

Autumn Variations is out 9/29 via Gingerbread Man Records. Find more information here.

Ed Sheeran is a Warner Music artist. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.

Macklemore Says “Culture Vulture” Narrative “Wasn’t My Truth”

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His contributions to Hip Hop were already controversial, but when Macklemore won a Grammy over Kendrick Lamar, he faced criticism unlike any other. It was in 2014 when The Recording Academy awarded Macklemore’s The Heist the trophy for Best Rap Album over Lamar’s acclaimed good kid m.A.A.d. city. It was a devastating loss for the then-Top Dawg Entertainment stand-out, and his fans haven’t let up about it ever since. Although Macklemore emerged in the Pacific Northwest as an aspiring rapper, Hip Hop culture didn’t fully welcome the Pop star with open arms.

In a new interview with HipHopDX, Macklemore talks about his latest album, BEN, as well as those ‘culture vulture’ accusations. “I think that it did hurt my feelings at the very beginning,” he told the outlet. “When ‘Thrift Shop’ was at its peak and the biggest song in the world, that’s when the think pieces started coming out around cultural appropriation, and one hit wonder, and all of this assessment and analysis.” Many years ago, Mack acknowledged that Hip Hop wasn’t his culture. He was dedicated to obtaining a greater understanding, as many other white rappers have shared in the past.

Macklemore Sees The Shift

There was a time when white rappers seemed to be a novelty. Eminem’s success imprinted him as a Rap GOAT, and several others have entered the arena as hitmakers. It’s common for non-Black artists to crank out Hip Hop hits, but Macklemore recognizes this wasn’t always accepted. “We were at a different place with whiteness in Hip Hop a decade ago,” he explained. “It was a very different time.” He added, “One thing that the criticism did, [it made me] dig deep into myself, and [I had] the realization that I don’t control who resonates with my art.”

The rapper also shared that he isn’t concerned with things he can’t control. His “deep dive” was prompted by being “scrutinized by the world,” and even though he apologized to Lamar about the Grammy moment, people didn’t let up. “I’m like, ‘Oh my God.’ There’s only two ways out of this: stopping or accepting it.’ Because whatever everyone else was saying about me wasn’t my truth. If I know myself, if I’m coming from a place of faith rather than fear, if I’m coming from radical love versus hatred, if I’m coming from a place of, ‘This is authentically me, take it or leave it,’ it’s not my business what the final decision is. That’s it. I don’t control other people’s perspective.”

[via]

Macklemore’s Daughter, Sloane, Attends AA Meetings With Him: “I Don’t Want To Hide That”

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Like so many others in the public eye, Macklemore has become accustomed to having little privacy. Thankfully, this seems to be something he’s learned to embrace, especially with his family. The Kent-born artist has always been candid about his past substance abuse struggles, but in an interview earlier this month, he revealed that his older daughter, 7-year-old Sloane Haggerty, attends Alcoholics Anonymous meetings alongside him.

“Sloane’s been to meetings with me. She asks me questions like, “Daddy, how’s your sober meetings going?” We talk about it,” he shared on the Audacy Check-In podcast last Friday (March 3). “And I don’t want to hide that because it’s not something that I need to feel guilt or shame or secrecy around. The whole intention is to put it out into the open… I’m not a finished product. This is what I’m working on. These are my struggles,” Macklemore proudly explained.

Sobriety Slip-Up

While he’s obviously in a much better place now, the “Thrift Shop” hitmaker previously admitted that the COVID-19 pandemic is what led to his unfortunate relapse. “I am a recovering addict and alcoholic and have been for the last 14 years,” he told audiences at The Tonight Show during a recent appearance. “A big part of my recovery community is going to physical 12-step meetings,” he noted, going on to mention that a lack of access to these services was seriously detrimental to him.

“I was alone, and the disease of addiction was like, ‘Yo, this is crazy. The world has stopped; you can get high,’” Macklemore added. His relapse was thankfully short-lived but has left him with trust issues to work through “within [himself] and within [his] close circle of friends.” Above all, the most important lesson learned by the 39-year-old is that “whatever [he] puts in front of my recovery will be the first thing that [he] loses.”

Macklemore’s BEN Album

After working through his issues with addiction, the father of three poured his energy into creating art. Countless studio sessions and collaborations with friends both new and old led to the creation of his long-awaited follow-up to 2017’s GEMINI. Revisit Macklemore’s new BEN album here, and tap back in with HNHH later for more pop culture news updates.

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Macklemore’s “BEN” Album Is Here Featuring DJ Premier, NLE Choppa, Morray, And More

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So far, 2023 seems to be bringing out big comebacks from artists previously taking lengthy hiatuses from releasing music. Last month we saw Rihanna take over the Super Bowl Halftime show with her iconic performance, and now, we have the first album from Macklemore since 2017. On Friday (March 3), the Washington-born artist shared his long-awaited BEN project, boasting plenty of interesting collaborations for your consideration.

His first single came in 2022, “CHANT” featuring Tones And I. Since then, he’s also shared the upbeat “MANIAC” with Windset, “FAITHFUL” alongside NLE Choppa, and finally, “HEROES” in tandem with DJ Premier. The singles and their visuals were all well-received among audiences, and along with BEN, Macklemore had one more video in store for fans this weekend.

Macklemore’s BEN Arrives Alongside “NO BAD DAYS” Visual

In “NO BAD DAYS,” we see the “Thrift Shop” hitmaker in full dad mode, hanging out with his young daughter Collett who actually earned an official feature on the track. Other guest appearances Macklemore was able to nab on his third studio album include Morray on the closing title, “TAIL LIGHTS,” and Livingston on “SORRY.”

Additionally, Sarah Barthel of Phantogram, Jackson Lee Morgan, Vic Daggs II, and charlieonnafriday all did their part to aid the father of three with his triumphant return. Die-hard Macklemore fans will be happy to know that the rapper plans to head out on tour later this year, taking tracks from BEN to stages in 19 different cities starting in mid-September.

Stream Macklemore’s BEN album on Spotify or Apple Music below. Afterward, tell us which songs from the tracklist you’ll be adding to your playlist in the comments. Make sure to check back later this weekend for more release recommendations on our Fire Emoji and R&B Season updates.

BEN Tracklist:

  1. CHANT (feat. Tones And I)
  2. NO BAD DAYS (feat. Collett)
  3. 1984
  4. MANIAC (feat. Windser)
  5. DAY YOU DIE (feat. Sarah Barthel of Phantogram)
  6. HEROES (feat. DJ Premier)
  7. GRIME
  8. I NEED
  9. LOST/SUN COMES UP (feat. Jackson Lee Morgan)
  10. FAITHFUL (feat. NLE Choppa)
  11. TEARS
  12. SORRY (feat. Livingston)
  13. GOD’S WILL (feat. Vic Daggs II)
  14. I KNOW (feat. charlieonnafriday)
  15. TAIL LIGHTS (feat. Morray)

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Macklemore’s Forthcoming Album ‘BEN’ To Be Released March 3rd

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Vevo, the world’s leading music video network, announces Macklemore as the next artist in their Ctrl. series with a performance of his latest single, “HEROES,” taken from his forthcoming studio album BEN, set for worldwide release on March 3rd.

Vevo’s Ctrl series highlights the work of hard-hitting, cutting-edge musicians making an impact in today’s music scene – both emerging and established. These artists demand attention, and Vevo’s Ctrl shines a deserving spotlight. Macklemore’s performance follows sessions from Rick Ross, Common, Rapsody, Fat Joe, Jeezy, Jadakiss, Fabolous, A$AP Ferg and more.

Multi-diamond, platinum and GRAMMY award winning artist Macklemore has made history with a combination of commercial success, critical acclaim and international appeal. With a total of 13.5+ billion combined streams to date, Macklemore is one of the most successful independent artists of the 21st century. ‘GEMINI’, Macklemore’s first solo effort in 12 years, was released in 2017 and debuted at #2 on the Billboard Top 200 chart and #1 on the charts for Rap, R&B/Hip-Hop, and Independent Albums, featuring Platinum-certified singles, “Glorious” (featuring Skylar Grey), “Good Old Days” (featuring Kesha), and “Marmalade” (featuring Lil Yachty).

‘GEMINI’ followed two releases with producer Ryan Lewis: the multiple-GRAMMY award winning and multi-platinum album, ‘The Heist’ (which spawned two #1 singles, the Diamond-certified “Thrift Shop” and multi-platinum “Can’t Hold Us”) and 2016 release “This Unruly Mess I’ve Made”, which featured the Platinum-certified single “Downtown”. Collectively, Macklemore’s music videos have been viewed over 3 BILLION times and he is one of only a few rappers to have a Diamond-certified single (“Thrift Shop”).

The post Macklemore’s Forthcoming Album ‘BEN’ To Be Released March 3rd appeared first on The Source.

Macklemore Asks His 7-Year-Old Daughter To Direct His Music Video In A Heartwarming Clip

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With his new album, Ben, arriving soon, Macklemore is being candid about his recent struggles with relapsing to show how far he’s come now. It’s obvious that he’s in a bright place — and a new wholesome video with his daughter, Sloane Ava Simone, proved that even further.

In the clip, which he shared to Instagram, Macklemore asks his 7 year old to direct one of his music videos. He starts by saying, “I’m a little bit nervous asking this, if I’m being honest. You know how the other day you were doing like the Bogey Boys, like producing?”

He continues: “You knew exactly what you wanted. I was so impressed with your work ethic, with your eye. I love your visual aesthetic. I absolutely love your style. I’ve been trying to think of a music video for ‘No Bad Days.’”

“Crazy idea, and if you don’t like it we don’t have to do it,” he says. “‘No Bad Days’ music video, I need a director.” Finally, he asks: “And I was thinking, what if you directed the music video?” She tears up before he even finishes asking, and they embrace each other in a big hug. She says yes, of course.

Watch the video below.

Ben is out 3/3 via Bendo LLC. You can pre-save it here.

Macklemore Opened Up About How His Relapse During COVID Inspired His Upcoming Album

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Macklemore is set to drop his new album, Ben, next month. Ahead of the album’s impending release, the rapper stopped by The Kelly Clarkson Show, where he opened up about the creation of the deeply personal record.

During his interview, Macklemore revealed that much of Ben is inspired by his relapse, which took place in the summer of 2020, at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“It was an intense time. The life that I knew, just like all of our lives, was stripped away. I’m used to a certain schedule of touring, of being gone, of being home, of recovery and being able to go to a physical 12-step meeting,” he said. “That stopped during COVID. Eventually, I’m on Instagram while being on Zoom and I’m just not really paying attention to the meetings. Eventually — and this is what happens when I don’t prioritize my recovery — if I don’t put that first, then I will lose everything that I’m putting in front of it. That’s what happens.”

Macklemore has long been open about his struggles with alcoholism and substance abuse. He first checked into rehab in August 2008. He has previously revealed he relapsed once in 2011 and again in 2014.

Today, he has been sober for nearly three years, and while he said that his relapse, which only lasted a few weeks, played a role in the making of this album, he does not want to have to rely on painful or traumatic moments to create his art.

“I think that pain is a catalyst for great art,” he said. “I don’t want to inflict the pain on myself anymore to make art. It’s not like I need to self-sabotage in order to create, but I think that it created some darker, more honest, and vulnerable moments on the album.”

You can check out the interview above.

Ben is out 3/3 via Bendo LLC. You can pre-save it here.

Vevo Teams Up With Public Enemy’s Chuck D To Celebrate 50 Years Of Hip-Hop

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Chuck D

Video network Vevo teamed up with Public Enemy’s Chuck D to celebrate 50 years of hip-hop. There will be programming including “Legends In Concert,” “Hip-Hop International,” “2K Hip-Hop Legends,” and more. The world’s leading video network will also collaborate with a hefty, yet, impressive list of hip-hop artists with appearances throughout 2023 from legends such […]

The post Vevo Teams Up With Public Enemy’s Chuck D To Celebrate 50 Years Of Hip-Hop appeared first on SOHH.com.

Macklemore & DJ Premier Shoutout Their “HEROES” On New Collab Track

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Several artists have plans for a big comeback in 2023. Among them is Macklemore, whose BEN project is due to drop in early March. This New Music Friday (January 20), the 39-year-old shared the lead single from the forthcoming album, called “HEROES.”

Throughout his verses, the “Thrift Shop” hitmaker pays homage to some of his biggest inspirations. Among them are DJ Quik and N.W.A., the latter of whom Mack allegedly heard for the first time at seven years old.

Macklemore performs onstage during iHeartRadio 103.5 KISS FM’s Jingle Ball 2022 Presented by Capital One at Allstate Arena on December 05, 2022 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Daniel Boczarski/Getty Images for iHeartRadio)

“Seven, I heard NWA in the street / From my older neighbour who was playin’ ‘F*ck tha Police,’” he rhymes. “Eleven, writin’ graffiti, fifteen, I’m sellin’ weed / By sixteen, I had an MPC / (It was Hip Hop’s fault) That I wanted to grow up.”

As HipHopDX notes, Jake Magraw directed the song’s accompanying music video, which also features DJ Premier. Though he’s usually known for producing, this time around, the 56-year-old drops some bars on the chorus.

“Pick up the mic, put your money where your mouth is / Doin’ petty crimes, back in the days / Too much OE, tipsy off the whiskey / Pick up the, the, the, the mic, the, the, the mic,” he rhymes over the infectious beat crafted by Joshua “Budo” Karp.

In a previously released trailer for the collaboration, the DJ reveals he was eager to work with Macklemore due to his authenticity. “From the time you came out doing your shit, all the way up to when you got a name that went to the mainstream…you still held on to the integrity of you as an artist,” Premier explained.

“You know, just the recognition you’re also in it for the love of the culture and that shows.”

The last track we heard from Mack saw him collaborating with NLE Choppa on “FAITHFUL.” Before that, he dropped off “Maniac” last summer, much to fan’s pleasure.

Stream Macklemore and DJ Premier’s “HEROES” single on Spotify or Apple Music below. Afterward, tell us who you’d like to see featured on the former’s BEN album in the comments.

Quotable Lyrics:

My heroes didn’t look yours, my heroes didn’t look yours, nah, nah
They didn’t work a 9 to 5, they worked a 5 to 4
Wake up at three and recordin’ more
See my heroes died of overdoses, rider for the culture
Mind type the psychosis, all the lies and show biz

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