Macklemore – I guess you either love him or hate him. Just kidding, you love him. Thriftshop is everywhere, and it’s been one hell of a ride.
It’s really important that everyone understands one very important piece of information about this Seattle rap star and his partner in crime, producer Ryan Lewis:
Ben Haggerty AKA Professor Macklemore, AKA Macklemore, is the first person in the last 20 years to have a number 1 hit without being signed to a major label. This is a pretty damn impressive – it’s incredible. I’m not the biggest fan of rap, but there’s definitely something to appreciate about this feat. The song itself is contagious, it sticks with you, and it definitely makes you want a fur coat (and a fur fox head).
You might be wondering, what’s so special about the Thrift Shop phenomenon? I put together a short list of the 4 BEST things about this:
1. He’s managed to be #1 WITHOUT the financial backing of a major label.
Why is this insane? Trust me, there is an insane amount of advertising cash thrown behind label artists. With the amount of money that can be put behind an artist, a label MAKES people take notice to new music. You could be a mediocre player in the game (or a label-built artist) and get a huge hit solely because of the advertising push.
2. Thrift Shop is exactly what the people wanted.
This ties in slightly with my first point, but really this is just a perfect example of people telling the world what they want, and they wanted Thrift Shop. This is a true power of growing your following organically. It’s social media, social music, and getting involved by being the true person behind the music (not just a brand or a professional PR team). Mackelmore got involved, he was dedicated, and he was truly passionate enough about his craft and was able to build his following from the ground up.
3. He’s 29.
This is a perfect testament to working hard to achieve something incredible. He worked hard at something for over 10 years, doing what he loved. You hear a lot about a prodigy getting picked up early in their life, years before they can even drink a beer. Maybe they knew someone in the business, or were just in the right place at the right time. Macklemore plugged away at his passion and made it happen. You are never too old to chase your dreams, and obviously you’re never too old to make it in the industry. Way to keep the dream alive and show the world!
4. That haircut.
I love it, it’s great. Ninja rocked it (of Die Antwoord fame), Diplo rocked it, and now there’s a new owner. Macklemore’s haircut is respectable, learn to appreciate it.
Oh, and sorry ladies, he’s married. Respect.