Macklemore music group presentation

Macklemore

A woke, ally, anti-capitalist, anti-nationalist king

By: Helen, Liam, Alyssa, Reilly

What you know about rocking a wolf on your noggin? What you knowing about wearing a fur fox skin?_________________.

2005

2017

2012

2023

THEMES BTW ALBUMS

Gemini

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Ben

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The language of my world

The Heist

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Thrift Shop Video

Marxism

Feminist Theory

Unpacking all of that...

Marxism

• "50 dollars for a t-shirt...I call that getting tricked by a business, that shirt's hella dough And having the same one as six other people in this club is a hella don't"
• Debunking the sign exchange value

On the other hand...

• “They had a broken keyboard, I bought a broken keyboard”
• Feeling the need to have a lot of stuff even if it isn’t really worth it--feeling the need to buy if it’s cheap just because it’s cheap
• The thrill of buying--Retail therapy: commodity fetish
• Did you find anything else?

Unpacking all of that...

Feminist Theory

• Even though women also thrift in the video and are shown "hunting" for finds, they are objectified through the lyrics

• "Draped in a leopard mink, girl standing next to me"

• "Trying to get girls from a brand, man, you hella won't"
• Both of these examples demonstrate:
• Disturbing objectification
• Masculinzation of spectators
• Exchange of women
• Did you find anything else?

SAME LOVE

Queer Theory in Same Love by Macklemore

• Naturalization of heterosexuality
• Compulsory heterosexuality
• Homosexual panic

Naturalization of Heterosexuality

• The idea that everyone is straight unless said otherwise (Parker 192)
• Outside appearance in relation to sexuality
• "I can't change, even if I tried"

Compulsory Heterosexulity

• "The impression...that people should be heterosexual or else something is wrong with them" (193).
• "The right-wing conservatives think it's a decision and you can be cured with some treatment and religion"

Homosexual Panic

• The fear of being perceived as gay

• "I thought that I was gay...I told my mom, tears running down my face"

“The face of hip-hop has changed a lot since EminemAnd if he's taking away black artists' profits, I look just like himClaimed a culture that wasn't mine, the way of the AmericanHip-hop is gentrified, and where will all the people live?It's like the Central District, Beacon Hill to the South EndBeing pushed farther away because of what white people did, nowWhere's my place in a music that's been taken by my raceCulturally appropriated by the white face?”

"White Privilege" (2005)

In this song, Macklemore acknowledges he is a white rapper in a Black culture, and analyzes his role in contributing to the gentrification of rap and hip-hop.

“Now I don't rap about guns, so they label me consciousBut I don't rap about guns 'cause I wasn't forced into the projects" "What happened to jazz and rock and roll is happening right nowWhere's my place in the music that's been taken by the mediaWith white corporations controlling what they're feedin' ya?” "If a black MC examined race, there goes half their fan base, white kids"

Conscious rap vs gangsta rap

Disvaluing of art about Black struggles

Historical theft of Black music

Elvis, Pat Boone, etc..., critical race theory

Marxism & race

Black art isn't seen as profitable until white people do it

How does Macklemore situate himself within this discussion of race?

Any other theories/ideas?

He only ever makes reference to male artists - what does this say about women's role in (rap) music?

Song Honorable Mentions

Wing$ (The Heist): "For a hundred dollars and some change. Consumption is in the veins. And now I see it's just another pair of shoes." Ego (The Language of My World): Cultural Studies, the politics behind fame Chant (single): Marxism, "The money doesn't buy happiness, that's facts, till you take what you made and decide to give it back" Can't Hold Us (The Heist): Not heavy on theory...but a really good song The Wake (The Heist): Race Studies, calls out names of victims of hate crimes and murder by the police.

Your Thrift Shoppers

Reilly Jaworski

Liam Tromp

Helen Grote

Alyssa Dueffert

THANK YOU!

https://view.genial.ly/66269dba5b841500146e2b18/interactive-content-macklemore-fill-in-the-lyrics

Good but not that deep (in Helen's opinion)

More references to queer theory, specifically more activism for gay rights, relevance to Gay marriage debates in Australia -> Aint gonna die tonight The majority of the album is based in cultural references and influences, with music videos full of personal cultural relevance to macklemore. References to childhood and nostalgia. Still includes references to anti-capitalist ideals (Are these less impactful now that he is a finantially successfull individual?)

WHY IS IT IN ALL CAPS?

This album feels a lot more about macklemore and references to personal experiences compared to earlier albums. Culture relevance for protests and social progression. References to being lucky due to finantial status and security. Reference to multiple (or the same) relationship. Reference to women being a maniac, not in a bad way though? -> But also a women being a lot to "handle vibes" but also not. "I NEED" - freud on sexual desire, Marx- commodity fetish (lists high brands he "needs" more of, but not satisfied. Gender criticism -> Says the word bitch a lot, "needs" a new girl. (the whole song is a critique of the lifestyle) More on cops and racism, cultural examples of growing up in Seattle. References to black culture and rap. (section in race studies).

Present themes

Influence of gender theory, specifically looking at male societally desired traits, mental health, bullying -> Penis Song Influences of Marxism in his numerous critiques of capitalism, homelessness, wealth gap. The industry is being watered down by greed and inauthenticity, no longer about earning respect or money, but buying your way to the top Cultural relevancy to the political candidates and the presidency at the time (not a fan of george bush), drug crisis, war (soldiers song), unemployment. He also addresses issues of racism, mocking major figures at the time who are overly racist (Bush), as well as his own white privilege.

Present themes

The anti-capitalist and commodification album for all the marxist fans.Heavy influence of commodification and marx's commodity fetish, with specific references to capitalism as a system, and commodities like Jordans and other shoes. Obsession with shopping and more commodities, and success being tied to money and monitary value. Becoming the commodity, you are the thing being sold as an artist. Queer theory, specifically critiques on homophobia and inequality between straight and gay couples. Light references to the modern idea of the american dream, compared to its colonial past and origins. Reference to addiction and sexual desire - possible relationship with Freud and psychoanalysis