Macklemore may be a bit misguided (his anti-Semitic stunt has yet to be forgotten), but when it comes to race, he knows the deal. Iggy Azalea is a hot topic at the moment given her blatant disregard for all things non-white, especially considering her appropriation of black culture. What does Macklemore have to say about it? Well… he kinda sees where all the criticism is coming from, actually.
As he explained during an interview with Hot 97:
“You need to know your place in the culture. Are you contributing or are you taking? Are you using it for your own advantage or are you contributing? You cannot disregard where this culture came from, and our place in it as white people. This is not my culture to begin with…I do believe that I need to know my place.”
“I can cuss on a record…yet parents are still like, ‘You’re the only rap I let my kids listen to. Why can I wear a hoodie and not be labeled a thug?…Why am I on Ellen’s couch?…The privilege that exists in the music industry is just a greater symptom of the privilege that exists in America. There’s no difference.”
I never thought I’d say this, but uh… Macklemore just got deep on us. It’s perhaps slightly heartening to know that the guy realizes the privileges he’s afforded as a white rapper, though I suppose it doesn’t count for much unless he does something about it.
And yeah, Iggy Azalea is definitely taking a lot from the rap community, but sure sure as shit isn’t giving anything to it.
The whole interview is (somewhat) worth watching, if you’re interested:
Okay then, if MACKELMORE says so
this crusade lmao, now you are taking notes from macklemore? girl give it a rest already
+1 respect
essential to recognize your privilege.
I’m pleasantly surprised. Now let’s hope Igloo Australia will listen to Macklemore, maybe if the words come from a fellow white rapper she’ll take them on board. Don’t think she will, though, she’s never truly been about rap — she wanted to make it big and she started rapping after her pop career flopped.
Tell it, girl! Igg’s such an opportunist. For me to poop on.