At the birth of rap music, it was exclusively for Black males. As time moved on Puerto Rican took to the mic, then whites. For those who have been around for a number of years, they remember and give props to the Beastie Boys for rocking mics while keeping true to themselves. Or they look at MC Serch who did not try to “act Black” but was more of a product of his environment. For the younger generation, there is Eminem; the emcee that was known for his hunger on the mic and witty wordplay, and now is probably the most successful white rapper in hip hop history. And there is El-P, once of the legendary Company Flow, who was a forerunner in the independent Hip Hop music movement. Unfortunately, a number of people do not respect white emcees, feeling that the art form still should be exclusive to Blacks. But hip hop is hip hop; rap is rap; if a person can kill a beat and rock a crowd, then that person should do it, regardless of race, ethnicity, sex, religion, etc. And if the artist has a passion and love for the culture then respect is due. With this said, Hip Hop heads should support their artists who are doing it, and doing it well. So, Seattle’s Macklemore deserves some respect.Macklemore is no fool. Listening to his album, The Language of My World, one can hear that Macklemore is a true emcee with something to say, and no just a white boy following the motions of a fade. The first song he tackles addresses the issue of being white and an emcee. “White Privilege” presents the race issue in an unbiased way; in that he saying that whites seem to have stole Hip Hop and uses it in an impure manor. But in all honesty, Macklemore admits that he loves Hip Hop, even though “the culture is not [his]”, as his hook laments that he would not be keeping it true if he claimed that he fully understands the culture and its struggle. This humble and respect-filled attitude that he is just a small part of Hip Hop culture continues throughout the album, like on tracks like “B-Boy” and “I Say Hey.” However, Macklemore’s topic choice goes beyond race and respect in Hip Hop; Macklemore is cognizant of the world around him, and himself as a person.
His politically charged, and humor laced, jam “Bush Song” features Macklemore rapping in a Bush voice portraying the 
quasi-president as a careless fool. The song “Ego” gives insight to the mind of an independent artist who has succumbed to jealousy as he witness fellow emcees become successful around him, before he see any success. This song is a confession of sorts, which most emcees are not willing to reveal. Macklemore continues his honest confessions with the “Penis Song”, where he wished he had a larger penis. At this point of the album, one can tell that Macklemore takes topics that some find serious and pokes fun at it. The listener gets a glimpse at Macklemore’s battle side with the joint “Fake ID”. The song describes a time when he tried to get into a 21-and-over Hip Hop show and the bouncer would no let him in with a fake ID, so most of the song contains disses towards bouncers that do not let under age Hip Hop heads into shows. “Love Song” is a serious joint about relationships based on love (be it friends, fam, or significant other), while “Soldiers” is another serious joint that deals with youths that grow up in violent and dangerous environments in the US. Overall, Macklemore has a wide array of topics to rip about.
Beyond the lyrics, the album is supported by dope instrumentals mainly produced by the likes of Macklemore and his musical cohort Budo. The most out sanding beats are found on “B-Boy,” and the instrumental is funky enough to get the breakers on the floor, the “Intro,” which begs to be ripped by someone, “City Don’t Sleep,” that has that mid/late-90s Likwit Crew feel, “Soldiers,” which is so hard that the listener would not mind M.O.P. using the beat on one of their many mix tapes (since record labels are too afraid to release an official joint with these cats), and dope slow joints “My Language,” “Claiming The City,” and “Good For You”.
Macklemore is dope on record, and just as dope live. With no hype man needed, Macklemore uses his humor and honest delivery to rock the crowd like a true emcee should. So he is one more example that race, or any other difference, does not really matter as long as one has Hip Hop in their heart. Check this album out (The Language of My World), and his other joints; and support real Hip Hop. 
(Current Standing ~ 4.33 out of 5)
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August 26th, 2006 at 9:46 pm
Trans your crazy where do you find these kats. Dude sounds like a funky homosapien, but not as wack as Dell, so he must be nice. Plus on some real live ish,I’m really interested to hear what the Seattle sound would sound like…………..Good Look on this one Mr. Mute
May 7th, 2007 at 11:38 am
I totally love Macklemore!! I love Seattle beats!!!
May 31st, 2007 at 2:51 pm
Macklemore is the best rapper alive, speaks about good shit not just big rims and bullshit like that… 206 Wahts good!!!