Music Aug 26, 2013 at 12:35 pm

Here's What Macklemore Did on the VMAs Last Night

Christopher Frizzelle
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Comments

1
Macklemore: Repping Seattle classy.
danewood on August 26, 2013 at 12:41 PM Report this
2
Billy "On the Street" Eichner was tweeting the show last night. He called this the best performance of the night, and then later on, couldn't help himself:
BECKY G IS IN A COMMERCIAL FOR CVS - IS THERE A MACKLEMORE SONG TELLING ME HOW TO FEEL ABOUT THAT?"
https://twitter.com/billyeichner/status/…

TomJohnsonJr on August 26, 2013 at 1:02 PM Report this
3
Streaming is blocked at work, what'd he do? I like him, I hope aforementioned comment isn't sarcastic.
The Empty Yellow Houses of Fort Lawton on August 26, 2013 at 1:03 PM Report this
4
What's with the autoplay videos? Could you put them after the jump, with a warning, please?
on August 26, 2013 at 1:15 PM Report this
5
@3, he did a super fine job, and shared the spotlight like a champ. Ryan Lewis's "I strike the gong...NOW" face was a wonder, and any fears of guest celeb Jennifer Hudson upstaging our dear Mary Lambert vanished when the staging gave the two of them a front-and center call and response finish that should give any living person chills.
TomJohnsonJr on August 26, 2013 at 1:21 PM Report this
6
Macklemore is a one hit wonder whose fame rests on a joke song. At least it beats Kanye West who had one half of a hit (also a joke song).

But neither will last as long in the public mind as Napoleon Bonaparte the 14th:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tBWtwvwaA…
Supreme Ruler Of The Universe on August 26, 2013 at 1:26 PM Report this
7
@6: You hate puppies and kittens, too, don't you?
Cracker Jack on August 26, 2013 at 1:31 PM Report this
8
VMAs? That is so last century.
CC-Rob on August 26, 2013 at 1:34 PM Report this
9
@6 not counting the song in the video, he's already had two hits.

I'm no longer considered a young person, nor do I work in the music business, or am I even a big fan of the genre—if that describes you as well, I'm not sure what your prediction is supposed to mean.
Dougsf on August 26, 2013 at 1:35 PM Report this
10
I love Macklemore, I've hear every one of his hit song. Even though i'm 42 years old I willfully turned to MTV to watch his performance, which should be winning Emmy's for best variety show. Screw Colbert Report and Daily Show, they dont hold a candle to the Video Music Awards. /s
Kinison on August 26, 2013 at 1:38 PM Report this
11
Whacklemore is lame. Dyme Def could've been up there if they hadn't completely ruined their shit with that "Sex Tape" garbage.
The CHZA on August 26, 2013 at 1:48 PM Report this
12
I count three hits, one of which I predict will be sampled in dance music for years. A fun game to play in the car in and around Seattle: set the radio to scan, so you hear a few seconds of each station, then bet your passengers whether you will or will not hear Macklemore before you get to your destination. Bet yes if your drive will be longer than about 10 minutes.
pox on August 26, 2013 at 1:56 PM Report this
13
@6 - A hit is determined by the opinions of more people than you. You may not like the other songs, but "Can't Hold Us" and "Thrift Shop" have both hit #1 in the US. Same Love appears to have peaked at #11, but with two other songs reaching #1 and a third well-known song in the top 40, Macklemore and Ryan Lewis have between two and three hits, either of which is more than one hit.
MacCrocodile on August 26, 2013 at 1:56 PM Report this
14
oh, pay no mind to SROTU. the escort service rejected his credit card again.
scary tyler moore on August 26, 2013 at 2:09 PM Report this
15
@6 Are you even a real person? I'm starting to think this is all some big joke you're playing on us.

This song makes me very happy.
very bad homo on August 26, 2013 at 2:10 PM Report this
16
He and Ryan Lewis also accepted a Moonman for best hip-hop video.
Josh Bis on August 26, 2013 at 2:19 PM Report this
17
I'm just amazed when people (particularly seattleites) poo-poo Macklemore. Maybe you don't like his music. Fine. But often critiques are around being "fake" or a "sellout". And the critiques get weirdly vitriolic.

He is a local guy, doing well in the on the national hip hop/pop stage. He has songs about homophobia, and real social issues. He has talented but "unconventionally attractive" backing singers, instead of generic eye-candy. What isn't to like about his schtick?

I think it boils down to hipsters simply dislike and distrust anyone who achieves even a sniff of mainstream success.
ohthetrees on August 26, 2013 at 2:20 PM Report this
18
I admit I had all but completely given up on all hip-hop as rabidly homophobic and misogynistic. Macklemore restores my hope that the genre isn't completely morally bankrupt. I cried the first time I saw the 'Same Love' video, and I hardly ever do that.

This live rendition was nice, and I loved the end with Mary Lambert and Jennifer Hudson. They deserve all the praise they get.

SROTU @6, please piss off.
Reverse Polarity on August 26, 2013 at 2:41 PM Report this
19
@17- "What isn't to like about his schtick?"

Talking earnestly over music isn't rapping. But he seems like a nice fellow and I'm glad he's doing well.
dwightmoodyforgetsthings on August 26, 2013 at 2:42 PM Report this
20
@19

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HE7rX4ukJ…
Unregistered User on August 26, 2013 at 3:24 PM Report this
21
@17 - Hear ya. I'm not exactly the target market for his music, but I'll be damned if I can't help but like them for exactly the reasons you gave.
Dougsf on August 26, 2013 at 3:41 PM Report this
22
WHY DON'T I LIKE MACKLEMORE?
SITTIN' SIDEWAYZ... WITH SKINNY FRIEDMAN

“Thrift Shop” feels like Wedding Rap. Bar Mitzvah Rap. It’s some shit your youngest uncle or oldest cousin probably likes. It’s a gimmicky song by an unthreatening face. It feels like rap for people that don’t actually like rap.

Other such jams include “I Wish,” “Baby Got Back” and “Ice Ice Baby.”


http://noisey.vice.com/blog/why-dont-i-l…

Supreme Ruler Of The Universe on August 26, 2013 at 4:13 PM Report this
24
If you honestly have a problem with this, you are some kind of puppy-kicking crank for sure. Jesus.
lolorhone on August 26, 2013 at 5:02 PM Report this
25
Everything @17 and @18 said.
Pridge Wessea on August 26, 2013 at 5:04 PM Report this
26
And what lolorhone said, as usual. (Hi!)
Pridge Wessea on August 26, 2013 at 5:14 PM Report this
27
it's a fact...if you like macklemore you are an idiot.

tainte on August 26, 2013 at 5:23 PM Report this
28
While I don't pretend to be particularly fond of Macklemore (although the Ryan Lewis hooks and beats are pretty badass), this is an extraordinarily powerful performance. Plain and simple. And I am glad that this is the image Seattle is sending out.
michaelp on August 26, 2013 at 5:31 PM Report this
29
Macklemore and Ryan Lewis donated all the money from sales of the "Same Love" download to Approve Ref 74, from the day it was released (July 18, 2012), until The Heist came out on October 9.

Combined with sales of the limited 7", released through Sub Pop, this represented over $40k to Music for Marriage Equality, which was a part of Washington United for Marriage.

That they did this, well before any hint of the mega success they now have, is remarkable. They talk the talk, and walk the walk. Last night's performance and win was a true victory.
kerri harrop on August 26, 2013 at 5:59 PM Report this
30
Seeing as everyone else has amply defended Macklemore, I'll stand up for Kanye. You don't have to like him, and his interrupting Taylor Swift was awful, but calling Kanye a half-hit wonder? The man has 21 Grammys. The only record he has put out that has sold under a million copies came out 2 months ago, and still has 510k sold already. He is 10x platinum.

In other words.... "lolwut?"
Hanoumatoi on August 26, 2013 at 6:12 PM Report this
31
Hey! I shop at Lander Goodwill & Value Village cap hill! So no making fun of Macklemore & Lewis. God knows, anyone who can put Seattle on the national map deserves credit!
pat L on August 26, 2013 at 6:35 PM Report this
32
@26: Hey Pridge! Smoke something dank for me!
lolorhone on August 26, 2013 at 7:38 PM Report this
33
What are you people talking about. Did you see how touched Mary seemed at the end? I'm so happy & so proud of what they've done for our city & the cause.
chromie on August 26, 2013 at 9:08 PM Report this
34
That was an awesome not-cryin'-on-Sundays off at the end.
Clara T on August 26, 2013 at 9:13 PM Report this
35
Hahaha, Ohh Macklemore! You are such a dorky dancer. Never stop.
More, I Say! on August 27, 2013 at 2:32 PM Report this

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