Okay, so it feels like I’ve read a lot of posts about Queen B on here recently, and its had me thinking about the music industry as a media outlet and the way it addresses racial and cultural issues. Thinking back to our white privilege lecture, I was impressed with Suzanne’s example of Eminem as an artist who, although has appropriated hip hop music and its culture, acknowledges that a majority his success can be credited to his white privilege.
With this in mind, I was trying to think of where else I have seen this before, and was automatically drawn to another white hip hop artist who openly acknowledges his privilege it the music industry, and how it has effected the success of his career. I’m dreading saying it because I know how many people do not like him, but I have to say I’ve been a Macklemore fan for a long time now.. However, when I say this I’m not talking about his mainstream pop songs like Thriftshop, because lets be honest that’s one song that if I didn't hear again for the rest of my life I would still die happy. But no, I’m referring to his underrated singles off of his earlier albums. He is often categorised with the likes of Miley Cyrus and Iggy Azalea due to the fact that he is a white artist trying to make a name for himself in one of the few industries that isn't dominated by whites, and he was confronted with a huge backlash after he and his musical partner Ryan Lewis won the title of best rap album at the 2014 Grammys. But i’ve been to a few of his concerts and think its fair to say that he is a very talented artist who's music addresses a diverse range of unorthodox subjects. So yes, when looking back on artists who acknowledge the unnamed privilege that they possess due to their appearance, his song White Privilege was an obvious connection.
Now let me just say, I didn't event realise there was a White Privilege II till I began looking for the lyrics for the first song that was released on his 2005 album ‘The language of my World’ . So finding out he has a similar track on his recently released 2016 ‘This Unruly Mess I’ve Made’ album just reinstated that he was indeed part of the category of artist I had assumed him to be in. the earlier version of White Privilege addresses the appropriation of hip hop music by the ‘unnamed’ cultural group, and how the sense of privileged entitlement to such art forms have lead to it being stripped of its political history and meaning. His verses include lyrics such as "claimed a culture that wasn't mine, the way of the American”, “Now where's my place in a music that's been taken by my race, culturally appropriated by the white face?” and “Most whites don't want to acknowledge this is occurring, cause we got the best deal, the music without the burden”.
He addresses the fact that his music is often labeled conscious because he doesn't rap about guns, drugs or violence, but points out that it’s because they have never been part of his life, that he hasn't experienced the struggle of living in the projects or being discriminated agains, and that he was born into the privilege he continues to have. He also, like Eminem, acknowledges that a majority of his success comes from appealing to a white youth audience who have the means to support his music, and furthermore are comfortable doing so because they find him relatable due to the colour of his skin. Finally, he points out that the same struggle faced by jazz and rock’n’roll is happening right now in hip hop music, in the way that white artists are using their sense entitlement to access a world that isn't theirs, and take credit for an art form that they had not role in creating.
The part II of the song released earlier this year speaks in support of the ‘Black Lives Matter’ movement. The song begins by debating whether the artist can march in a ‘Black Lives Matter’ protest, and if he has a right to support the movement created for a struggle he will never know, about a discourse that his culture has created. Once again he addresses cultural appropriation with lyrics like “You've exploited and stolen the music, the moment, the magic, the passion, the fashion, you toy with the culture that was never yours to make better”. He reflects on new racism saying "It seems like we're more concerned with being called racist than we actually are with racism” and speaks about the exnomination of white privilege by stating "White supremacy isn't just a white dude in Idaho, white supremacy protects the privilege I hold. White supremacy is the soil, the foundation, the cement and the flag that flies outside of my home, white supremacy is our country's lineage, designed for us to be indifferent”.
Although the first song didn't gain too much attention at the time, White Privilege II has managed ruffled some feathers. Many have criticised Macklemore for the fact that he speaks so heavily about these racial issues, yet doesn't do enough to change or prevent them. However, in an interview with Rolling Stones magazine, he explains that these critiques were expected. He reinforces that in the end, it’s not about him, and if thats all the audience take away from it, then they are missing the point. Although the song reflects his emotional reaction after learning about the ‘black lives matter’ campaign, its about creating awareness and creating a starting point for the difficult and uncomfortable conversations that needs to be had, and to inspire people to speak out instead of hiding behind out white privilege.
Although you may think he's just a white boy trying to rap, forcing his way into a culture that doesn't belong to him, I think its important credit Macklemore as an artist for his ability to openly address and acknowledge the social and cultural issues that are so regularly ignored by the rest of the music industry.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gdVRlM-kSx8
http://genius.com/Macklemore-white-privilege-lyrics
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y_rl4ZGdy34
http://genius.com/Macklemore-and-ryan-lewis-white-privilege-ii-lyrics
http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/4-things-macklemore-told-us-about-white-privilege-ii-20160125
I think you've raised some great comparisons here between Macklemore's music and the level of coverage he receives as a successful white artist. I too am a fan of his music so have to agree with your comments about the messages he's attempting to deliver through hip-hop music. This genre of music is heavily connected to African American culture and experiences of living in low socioeconomic areas, so i can understand the tensions involved with Macklemore entering hiphop without these experiences. However i do think that given his position of power in pop culture and his obvious awareness to existing cultural disparities he is attempting to take full advantage to highlight racial issues. I think there will always be points of contention for this topic as it is largely based around reception and the level of cultural understandings you bring to each reading of hip-hop music. But in saying this i think Macklemore should at least be commended on his efforts for trying to spark a discussion about using power held by white privilege to promote equality for those still considered inferior global citizens.
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