Macklemore says that he and Eminem are “guests” in hip-hop. When Nate Burleson prompted him with the idea during an interview on CBS Mornings, while asking Macklemore about being a White rapper in a predominantly Black genre, he agreed. He added that no matter how “great Eminem is,” even he is also a guest.
“I think it’s true. It is true and I agreed,” he stated. “If you look at the origin of where hip-hop came from and what was happening in New York City and what was happening in the Bronx. And the way that Black people and people of color been treated historically from the jump, this music was birth out of oppression.”
Macklemore At The 56th Grammy Awards
While continuing, he clarified that the two rappers still “belong here,” they just need to be respectful and abide by house rules. “Hip-Hop is inclusive so there’s always been an open door to a certain extent…but I’m a guest, Em’s [Eminem] a guest,” he continued. “Doesn’t matter how good we get. Doesn’t matter how great Eminem is. We’re guests in the culture. A hundred percent. And that’s not to say that I don’t belong here. I absolutely belong here. But you still have to realize this is not your house. And that you’re a guest. Take Your shoes off and help with some dishes.”
Even Eminem has admitted to being a guest in the genre. Appearing on KXNG Crooked’s show Crook’s Corner, he explained why he never refers to himself as the “king.” “That’s the funny thing. I don’t know if I got a chance to say this yet. The funny s**t is, with the whole beef of a certain person, I never said I wasn’t a guest. I’m absolutely a guest. I never said I wasn’t. I never said I was king of anything, right?” The comments seemingly came in response to criticism from Lord Jamar.
Macklemore On Being A “Guest” In Hip-Hop
[Via]