Macklemore and Ryan Lewis released a new song “Drug Dealer” that include some deep thoughts. The song features the soulful sounds of Ariana DeBoo as she shares the scary truth about today’s drug dealers. While the song focuses on the use of prescription drugs, Macklemore is not a stranger to this topic. His past song,“Otherside” also mentions drugs and how they affect lives without even knowing it.

Like “Drug Dealer”, “Otherside” also has Ryan Lewis featured on it. The duo seem to work well together when it comes to their music. In “Drug Dealer” like a majority of their music, they are sticking to their own sound and topics. Instead of going with the trend of prescription drugs that many rappers broadcast, Macklemore speaks on the same topic but in a different way.

It also has been hinted at that Macklemore released the song today in preparation for his talk with President Barack Obama. The talk aired on MTV tonight and covered the ugly truth of opioid addiction. In the song and in real life, the drug dealer that is mentioned in the hook by Ariana DeBoo is an actual pharmacist who is providing the drugs for their personal profit.

“My drug dealer was a doctor, doctor. Had the plug from a pharma, pharma. He said that he would heal me, heal me.But he only gave me problems, problems…. I think he was trying to kill me, kill me. Kill me for a dollar, dollar.”

By shining the light on the critical and harsh reality that many people who are receiving their drugs in todays world are getting them from the doctor who is supposed to be helping rather than hurting. All in all the song provides the listener something to ride to as well as think about. Food for thought in hip-hop is always appreciated.

Check out “Drug Dealer” above !

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macklemore x ryan lewis

Macklemore and Ryan Lewis‘ new album, This Unruly Mess I’ve Made, contains a  great mixture of powerful and playful records. The duo just released dope visuals for the “Brad Pitt’s Cousin.” Macklemore and Ryan Lewis cooked up an equally playful visual treatment for the song, which they debuted on Facebook this afternoon.

The video is pieced together from various locations around the world, while the rapper turns up and spread his good energy in every spot- from shopping for Louis Vuitton in a panda suit to stunting on an airplane to the dentist’s office, Macklemore knows no bounds.

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Macklemore and Ryan Lewis‘ “Kevin” featuring Leon Bridges now has a visual to accompany it. The song originally made its debut at the 2015 American Music Awards in November 2015, which was a great platform for the duo to reach tackle the issue of drug use in America and all over the world.

On “Kevin” Macklemore let’s listeners know what drugs can do and have done by chronicling the story of his friend Kevin whose exposure to drugs took his life. The track doesn’t only speak about the perils of addiction however. “Kevin” takes on drug usage on almost every aspect of the ladder, and reminds people that it’s almost always more than a person looking to score some oxy.

This representation takes on somewhat of a physic form in the black-and-white and Jason Koenig & Ryan Lewis-directed visual for “Kevin.” It opens with Macklemore sitting against a brick wall in what looks to warehouse-like loft. Viewers quickly learn that the location is spacious as the camera captures Macklemore walking around the many areas of the building. While still intact the building itself is a little broken down, kind of like a person grappling with prescription drug use may appear.

Although sun rays streams threw the windows at times when Macklemore is spitting, Leon Bridges is the one that takes outside to deliver his soulful contribution for the viewers. At one point singing, “Doctor your medicine and your methods can’t cure my disease without killing me,” shortly before ending his verse in front of some ivory keys.

Watch the visual for “Kevin” below.

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At approximately nine minutes in length, Macklemore raps from what is almost a place of guilt, leaving very few stones unturned, offering his commentary on White Privilege, cultural appropriation (he calls out Iggy Azalea, Miley Cyrus and others), and the #BlackLivesMatter movement. 

This isn’t a song where Macklemore boasts his White Privilege. This is a song where he exposes it, as well as the people who hide behind it, encouraging them stand with blacks in trying times, if they are going to dabble in the culture to get rich.

As well all know, Macklemore gets a lot of flack in the Hip-Hop community, so those who aren’t fans of his will probably see the title of this song and be quick to dismiss it, but the stand he took is a unique and commendable one.

Photo: Zoe Rain

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Fences has released the video for his latest track, “Arrows,” featuring Macklemore and Ryan Lewis and from what we see, Macklemore is addressing the critics head on. The video was directed by John Keatly and Jason Keonig and was shot in Seattle, Macklemore, Ryan & Fences’ hometown. The track features Fences speaking on past relationships and Macklemore touches on the attack from the critics.

Check out the video below and tell us what you think. Arrows will be on Fences’ upcoming album, Lesser Oceans, due out October 14th.

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The dynamic duo were making their return to the show just over a year after their big television debut. Since then, “they have taken over the music world,” says Degeneres. Few other artists with their level of exposure have taken a stand the way Ryan and Macklemore did on “Same Love.” We are proud to be part of the movement.

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