It’s far too common for a reviewer to claim that he’s discovered the next best thing.
I’m not doing that.
First of all, I can’t lay claim to being the first to hear him. The Seattle rapper has been releasing music since 2000, and since 2009 with producer Ryan Lewis. He’s gained the attention of mega-bookers The Agency Group and has accrued thousands of fans outside of his native Seattle.
Struggling with substance abuse has only made him a stronger artist. He released a track called “Otherside” that samples the Red Hot Chili Peppers track of the same name. The track, released under the name Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, was also remixed to feature Fences. I’m more partial to this version.
Ryan Lewis’ emotional instrumental acts as the score to Macklemore’s cinematic lyric. To be honest, it’s heart-wrenching, with more content and substance than any hip-hop song I’ve heard recently. And it’s not an exception in Macklemore’s catalogue. Songs like “The Town”, “Life is Cinema”, and the upcoming “Wings” are profound without being intimidatingly so.
It’s impossible to predict the whims of the music buying public, and I can’t assume that my taste is shared by millions. I’m not saying that Macklemore is going to be the next big thing. I’m just saying he should be.
Macklemore & Ryan Lewis – Otherside
Macklemore & Ryan Lewis – Otherside feat Fences Ryan Lewis Remix)
Macklemore & Ryan Lewis – Life Is Cinema
