Macklemore’s “Downtown” Is The Most Sellout Song Of 2015

    Say what you want about formulaic music, but it works. Pop songs are an amalgamation of elements carefully thrown together. When it’s done right, you get genius like “Thriller,” or more recently “Uptown Funk” and when it’s done wrong you get just about anything done by Iggy Azalea or the end of Britney Spears career. You go into it knowing that you’re pandering to people. That’s right. You’re pandering to the basest impulses of humans. It just so happens we all share those impulses. We want to dance. We like familiarity. Isn’t that why Marvel literally owns the movies right now? But then there is the definition of straight up musical gentrification. And that’s what Macklemore’s horrid, horrible, terrible new song “Downtown” is. It’s the equivalent of waking up to seeing all your neighbors pushed out by ruthless landlords jacking up rents just to make room for cupcake shops. And the worst of it is that it will be a hit.

    It will be a hit because Macklemore indulges constantly and without remorse in the seedy underbelly of music making. That if you just give the people what they want ( more dancing! more familiarity!) and eschew any real kind of originality or creativity at all that you can — if you’re willing to go far enough — create a hit. It’s a sort of devil’s bargain that you make with the public. That you’ll always, always give us (whoever you’re pandering to, that is) what we really desire. To not think. To not even really feel. “Downtown” is just that in its most putrid, most flaming bag-of-shit form. I wonder if he texted Kendrick before this one, too.

    The God-damned thing has everything. It has the jazzy “King Kunta” stuff at the beginning when he’s rapping like a pseudo-Kendrick. And then he just moves down the list. He bites his very own “Thrift Shop” when he’s in and out of a moped shop. Is he making fun of Hipsters or is he one? It doesn’t matter. Then the old school stuff with Grandmaster Caz, Kool Moe Dee, and Melly Mell. It’s completely derivative. He has them in the video, and you can say that he was trying to introduce a young audience to the old-school greats, but Nah. Instead,  it feels like it was just another check on his “How To Make A Platinum Single” checklist. He probably still uses checklists he’s so ridiculous. Use Wunderlist like everyone else.

    It’s not over, though. The song degenerates even further into this completely nonsensical smorgasbord of complete nonsense. Eric Nally sings his ass off as he leads a foursome of Harley’s down a blocked off street of musical despair. “Uptown Funk” is what he’s biting now, and he bites it with gusto. Yes, he bites a song that bit like fifteen other songs! And as the death march becomes more and more like jerking off to Golden Girls the cowbell flops in for a bigger visit. I never thought I’d actually get the chance to use this, but, no more cowbell! This song is already playing on radio Disney. And when it reaches the top of the charts — and it will — another piece of my belief in humanity will die inside.

    It’s not just that this song is a straight jack of every single thing that came out this year in Hip Hop. From the jazzy riffs of TPAB to the unbridled positivity of Surf, but it also attempts to jack the pop song that jacked Trinidad James’s “All Gold Everything.” The only thing it doesn’t attempt to rip off is Trap. Which is great, because then this would officially be the worst song of all-time.

    Look, I’m all for cultural appropriation and all that shit, but this kind of everything-and-the-kitchen-sink, paint by number pop-rap crap is so egregious it should be buried under the Internet, never to be seen again. Macklemore’s win at the Grammy awards over K. Dot’s masterpiece looks even worse, now, as we now have to tolerate this guy and his fur vests for years upon years to come. I, for one, bow out now. From this to his battles with weed, Macklemore continues to pander and pander and pander to everyone who cares about these sorts of worn out tropes. His problems feel like paper machete cutouts of actual distress, and now his music does, too.

    P.S. Ryan Lewis, get out while you still can.

    Andre Grant is an NYC native turned L.A. transplant that has contributed to a few different properties on the web and is now the Features Editor for HipHopDX. He’s also trying to live it to the limit and love it a lot. Follow him on Twitter @drejones.

    282 thoughts on “Macklemore’s “Downtown” Is The Most Sellout Song Of 2015

    1. He battled with cough syrup, not weed, jackass.
      I am not a fan either, but the review is a little harsh.

    2. This is not one of those hate comments and I’m definitely not trolling. I listened to the song and it sounded great until this review. Even after this it still sounds great but now I’m just doubting myself.

      You’re saying this song has all the elements of the hit – Is that necessarily a bad thing?
      The song gets you dancing – is that a a bad thing?
      Old school legends cosign him – is that somehow a bad thing?
      His raps are dynamic, yeah it lacks social message but sometimes people just wanna have fun – is that a bad thing?
      Mackelmore is on the road to make even more money – is that a bad thing?
      Yeah he won the Grammy over Kendrick but you could vote and so could I, he still won, guy’s winning – is that a bad thing?

      To me it just sounds like you’re the only one hating, and that’s definitely a bad thing. Also the beat is hot.

    3. Fine I am not a fan of the song, but this guys are obviously biased. They didn’t say shit when kdot hopped on bad blood, I feel they are both on the same level.

    4. Andre gant sounds like the biggest hater in the world to me and I don’t even like Macklemore but I like the song

    5. I’m no Macklemore fan but the guy is just doing what he does best, make really fun, pop-rap records. This review makes it seem that he really is Kendricks direct competition. He’s not. So stop the harsh hate simply because you’re salty about the Grammys. Kendrick is the best thing is Hip Hop and probably all music right now, so just let Macklemore have his pop hits and move on. No point in ripping the guy a new one for just being what he already was.

      1. >Says Macklemore and K Dot aren’t direct competion.

        >Brings up a situation where both artists were directly competing with each other.

    6. Macklemore=Iggy Azalea…. White People that love the hip hop culture but can’t do it, for the Culture ears. The thing that gets to me and the writer to this article, is, no matter what they put out, they will always overshadow the true artist of this culture. that’s what stink about this situation. i do not hate neither of them for there talent, but honestly, why do you think Macklemore wins grammys and Mac Miller don’t. M.Miller is way more Hip hop far as his approach to the culture. His sound is of hip hop in the 90s. They really need to make a Pop Rap Genre. it would be so much easier. even tho i would still have a white MC winning HipHOp Genre(Eminem) He is well deserved!

    7. andre grant have a coke and smile!! You sound like your hating heavy son. Did Kanye not bite from nearly every soul track ever made? Is most of all Hip Hop beats ”bitten” parts of other older songs? Let mackelmore live.

    8. Excellent review Andre this shit is trash. These soft ass readers complaining harsh review, this is a HipHop site what kind of review you expect to get from that garbage on this site? Passes? That’s not authentic not original, straight Trash MuziK. Obviously spent more time on the visuals than the song itself, congratulations you are totally gentrified and demasculated if you enjoy anything about that song.

    9. The guy always makes the occasional song to dance to so fuckin what?? go away and listen to Vipassana, Neon Catherdral, I said Hey, Otherside, make the money & white privilage then come back and appolgise for the worst review I’ve ever read. Start ripping these idiots who are still rapping about drug dealing and regurgitated bull shit

    10. I cannot see myself listening to this song in my car. Or my house. Or my phone. Or my computer. Or anywhere. This is absolutely horrible.

    11. People like you don’t deserve to call yourselves journalists. Every single piece I see your name attached to on this site has something to do with your own opinion, not a neutral account of news. You really think anybody cares about what you have to say? You and everybody else and their mom thinks that Kendrick deserved the Grammy over him, so why be a hater? Along with this website’s recent “news updates” on unknown artists that clearly just paid you a lot to write them up, you are getting me closer and closer to stop checking up on bs amateur writing that comes from this site. I don’t even like this song, I’m just sick of seeing egotistical nerds try to write the rules of what’s REAL hip hop and what isn’t. Get a life.

      1. Do you need someone to define “editorial” for you. Cause if you’re looking for news then you are in the wrong section of the site. In fact theres a big ass button at the top of the page that says “news”

        Stay in school

    12. Damn you spew so much hate because an artist knows and appreciates the past. This song isn’t claiming to be anything but fun. Most artist emulate something or someone. It’s how you do it, which the song is arranged perfectly, and if you give credit to the person who created, which Macklemore obviously is doing. At least we as the “99 percent” can relate too his music, having fun riding a Moped seems like it could be fun.
      By the way let me know when your drug pushing, gangster trap shot’em lifestyle start paying for dividends to pay for that Bugatti or G6 and stable of models.

    13. 1) I’m not a Macklemore fan, but this article is a load of shit. You shame a pop artist for making ONE formulaic song, as if hip-hop is any better? We get it, bruh. Macklemore is not a hip-hop artist. WE KNOW. “It has the jazzy “King Kunta” stuff at the beginning when he’s rapping like a pseudo-Kendrick.” What does that even fucking mean? Apparently you don’t even know what it means because you used the word “stuff” to describe jazz. “And when it reaches the top of the charts — and it will — another piece of my belief in humanity will die inside.” I love Kendrick Lamar, and I agree that he should have won the grammy over Macklemore, but you sound really salty. Get over it.

    14. This “editorial” is further proof HipHopDX will literally put anything on their website.

      Seriously this shit seems like something that would be in the comment section and everyone would tell him that nobody wants to read an essay like this.

    15. @Do better a.k.a. the author of this article who i also believe happens to be the main editor of this website: why don’t you report any of it yourself? seems like you spend most of your time in the op-eds just giving your master opinion on everything nobody needs to hear.

    16. this song reminds me rappers delight 2015 or some kurtis blow shit. if this somehow is biting other hit songs than f yo self cause whole culture is based on sampling and using sound from the other songs. keep calm 90s kids.

    17. Man no one likes this shit but it’s not that far-fetched considering some of Macklemore’s past songs. And this is again why you need to overhaul writers, shit articles that are just worthless ranting. It sounds like you’re being that way to attract attention and dude that’s sad asf.

    18. I do not and will not listen to Macklemore. Nothing for me to particularly relate to that I’ve heard. However, that don’t mean he don’t make fun music that millions of other folks might not enjoy the fuck out of. Jesus, this article pushed me over the edge. Fuck you Hiphopdx, salty sounding punk ass bitches. I’ve been on this site for over a decade, and guess what, I’m moving on to a more professional site, peaaaaace!

    19. i for one am all for this guy, him and drizzy are doing a lot of great things for hip hop! it’s about time we got some real dudes in the game

    20. Amazing that simply because he’s white he catches this flack. Have you even paid attention to some of the music being made by black rappers thats 100% ignorant trash. Please stop it with the Iggy and Mack hate cause at least he knows and remembers the originals with this song. Write an article about Yung thug or another ignorant rapper. They make music to be heard on the radio whos fault is it that other artists cant make a hit near fancy or thrift shop? IM BLACK by the way!!

    21. The editorial is on point. This song is hot garbage, does not need to be made by a grown ass man. Culture Vultures like Macklemore need to go away

    22. It’s Macklemore dude.. whaddya expect? Btw, I like your writing way better than Ural’s. Ural probably loves this song.

    23. Editor is a jealous hater. Macklemore>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Kendrick Lamar.

      Macklemore’s music >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Kendrick Lamar’s music.

      Downtown is more original than the EDM garbage 95% rappers are rapping over these days. But you are upset at a white artist who takes a different approach is successful just because he is white?

      Black on white violence is so yesterday. No really…Vester Flanagan….Black on white violence IS so YESTERDAY.

    24. Editor is a jealous hater. Macklemore’s hits are much better than Kendrick Lamar’s.

      Macklemore’s music is much better than Kendrick Lamar’s music.

      Downtown is more original than the EDM garbage 95% rappers are rapping over these days. But you are upset at a white artist who takes a different approach is successful just because he is white?

      Black on white violence is so yesterday. No really…Vester Flanagan….Black on white violence IS so YESTERDAY.

    25. macklemore hasn’t made any music true to himself since 2004. the language of my world. a lot of you are talking mad shit and probably haven’t heard any of his underground shit. he use to be a respectable rapper. now hes a sellout. do you blame him? i’d sell out for millions too. fuck everyone if i can buy you, you can talk your shit. he’s a sell out..but so are 90% of mainstream artists. if somebody put a couple million dollars in front of you to use 30% of your talent you’d do the same thing. i’m not defending this fool because yes, his music is fucking wack. but it’s not to say he was never dope, because he was. yall just didnt know who the fuck he was by then. and that goes to show you the state of hip-hop. make dope hip-hop and nobody gives a fuck. make some wack ass radio sell out shit and the world throws their money at you while so called hip-hop heads talk shit. the same motherfuckers that didn’t support you when you were making dope music. yall are just as responsible for the state of hip-hop as these sellouts. TRUTH EAT A DICK

      1. https: // www. you tube .com/ watch ?v= X06 2FfuXkg0

        i’m the second cat in this track..id love to hear the shit yall talk about since everyone hates white rappers here

    26. The song isn’t any good (hook was the worst part) but you guys are usually gassing people up and overrating them, what’s a matter? He forget to cut the check?

    27. Hip Slop DX is dead…… I havent seen anything about Puff Daddy continuously sampling old records. He even sampled Led Zeppelin. This is why there are race wars. Unreal

    28. Battles with weed? Dude is a certified alcoholic/drug addict, now your making fun of addiction? FOH man, horrrrrrible article

    29. He used the word amalgamation, hahaha! Your writing is so full of hate and judgement even non-Macklemore fans see through YOU’RE own charade. You are so bitter, cynical, and are using confirmation bias to make asinine connections. If I owned Hip Hop DX I would really be scared of Complex right now.

    30. I didn’t even know about the song til I read this article. What this editor doesn’t realize is he’s actually making the song trend more by talking about how bad it is and making a huge hate article over it. If a song sucks then don’t talk about it, don’t listen it, and don’t write articles about it. Now that I read this article I want to listen to the song to see what’s wrong. I’m sure it’ll be a sellout, but now I’m supporting the song cuz I gave it another youtube view and I’ll probably tell my friends…spreading the word about a song they may not have heard either. First world country problems hahahaha

    31. this article is a joke that song was very catchy and creative if a black guy released this you would praise it all day and because he white you disregard it truth is white hip hop artists will never take away from the god origonators of hip hop shut the fuck up forever racist peice of shit fuuucking salty biiiaaaatch

    32. See! This is what y’all get for not supporting that J. Cole Forrest Hills album whole heartedly!! Now yall got sucks mceez runnin amok Got ya rap legends shuckin n jivin n ridin scooterz Haaaaaaaaaaa

      Can’t blame that man for employing folks that NOBODY ELSE WAS PAYING ATTENTION TO AND/OR THINKING ABOUT IN 2015 *shrugs* (no disrespect)
      Song was ASS but hey he did take job for ya… ✌️

      1. These rap legends are not slaves and Macklemore is not their master. Do you think is is impossible that they maybe had FUN riding scooters, dancing, and making the video? Do you know? How could you?

        Don’t know if you’re black Fresh, but we need to stop contributing to the idea that the only image of a black man is grim-faced and ready for war. It’s not the truth and really a damaging idea.

    33. pop rap has its right to exist. Yes, it might be formulaic… but.. if you think Macklemoped has to go that’s fine but mind you, you were probably not in the target group to begin with. Nobody is forcing you to like this or to listen to this.. nobody would have expected you to like this if you actually prefer gangsta rap from the south or thought provoking conscious rap with triple entendres.

    34. someones mad that there rap career didn’t work out… Btw your hero puffy tried to do this and even with the help of Pharrell it was complete shit… this song actually isn’t bad either

    35. Andre Grant, get real man. Y’all steady promote Aubrey(aka Drake), who has always sounded like he is reading his lyrics. Aubrey’s music is a more accurate description of what your trying to state. Also, it came out ya boy Aubrey doesn’t write any lyrics at all and has to use reference tracks. And Aubrey still sounds like he is reading lyrics in his songs. I’m not really a mackelmore fan and don’t listen to his music, but when you ride Aubrey’s and Young Thug’s dick, you have no place to criticize anything in hip hop.

      1. Agree, playboy. Drake’s legacy has definitely been tarnished by the reports of him having writing tutors. To my knowledge, I remember DX backing Drake and the fact that he is the rap Milli Vanilli. Not a good look. I stopped checking for 2dopeboyz because they capped for Drake.

    36. I didn’t think Hiphopdx could get any lamer but then I come home to see this article. Real sad DX, real sad.

    37. umm the song is ok and im not a big mack (see what i did there) fan.. its just a radio hit. get over it Andre Grant. i read this whole article and got me thinkin macklemore really sold out, but you was just hating.

      1. true story. I haven’t heard him say a thing about ‘rappers’ who can’t even pronounce words on radio. Hate is real.

    38. Barely thought out editorial, too many flaws to list (grammatically and otherwise), biased, hateful and all round pathetic journalism. A good journalist would consider both sides and put forward a well informed and level headed response to this song, not just a page of hate and rambling without any real focus or direction.

      Given the quality of this work I would like you to consider this as an application to be a writer on this esteemed website, because you guys suck. I’m dead serious. I’ve wrote better things taking a shit.

    39. Andre Grant. You are a biased idiot. Macklemore is a pop artist/rapper and self financed musical genius. This song is a hit, its amazingly done. Andre you got your 5 minutes of fame criticizing Mack and the track….but its gonna be hard to take you seriously or trust your judgement moving on…little guy.

    40. Song didn’t start off that bad. Damn did that shit go down in a hurry. But who cares. It’s fckin Macklemore. Is anyone actually checking for dude that isn’t a 13-19 year old white female? Good for him for marketing his trash to that demographic – somebody has to compete w Taylor Swift besides Drake.

      1. No, not really. thats only a guest appearance. none of his own music sound like that song with ms swift. the only way he’d be selling out is if he started to make songs like that for his own albums

      2. Yugang:
        Sounds like some apologist bullshit. Of course making a song with Swift is sellout. Probably more sellout than anything Macklemore has ever done.

      3. @Ulix umm no, its not apologist stuff, its a simple fact that that his contributions to other artist’s records is just that, a contribution. that in no way reflects the sound of HIS own music. show me 1 song in kendrick lamar’s catalog that sounds anything like bad blood and then perhaps you would have case of him selling out. if not, then you gotta do better than pointing to a guest appearance. theres no where in any rule book of “how to keep it real in hip hop” that states merely doing a guest verse for a pop artist means you’ve sold out aka you’ve completely changed everything about your style, music or motivation for making music just for the sake of selling records. btw, how do you figure that doing a collabo with a pop artist (without changing the sound of your own music) is more sellout than a pop indie artist doing pop rap sounding songs? you forreal? lol

      4. Saying Kendrick is not a sell out for contributing to Bad Blood because it wan’t HIS song is like saying, I saw Kendrick in women’t clothes, but he’s not a cross dresser because the clothes weren’t his…he borrowed them..” lol gtfoh

    41. I never thought Id say this but I agree with HIPHOPDX on this one. How much longer will Macklemore be on the radio. He obviously sold his soul to be famous. Me and the average nigga freestyling for fun can rap better than this guy. First they used him to support the gay agenda and they succeeded because months after that one love song gay marrige became legal. Now the industry is trying to push this new age hipster bullshit on us.

    42. I almost vomitted when I saw this f#ggot grab his dick n drop down in this video. The sh#t is Evil. Id rather listen to Asher Roth or Wiz’s new music over this and thats saying something considering that both are f#cking trash.

      1. I feel the same way when I see Black Hockey Players, Black Opera Singers, Black Swimmers…basically anything I have been taught that black people shouldn’t be doing

    43. Look at you bitchy hip hop hipsters go. I don’t even listen to Macklemore but I’ve been waiting for this moment. Fucking hack journalists ready to jump on it as if it was ever going to be anything but a negative article. “Oh my god, it sounds like a Macklemore song!” Hmmmm.. Why could that be? You morons will always hate. I wish him and RL well and I hope your moms keep paying your for your rent and Internet so you can perpetuate this flaming bullshit on other people who are working hard.

    44. Every white person logged on to show support for this horrible shit in the comment section lol.. It hurt my heart to see Melle Mel, Moe Dee and them dancing around like bafoons. Anybody can be bought i guess. Even had Seattle’s Godson Ken Griffey Jr with a wig on smiling like a moron. And what’s more GAY then a goddamn moped?? Maybe two dicks touching but thats about it lol. But hey. White people love it. It has nothing to do with me. Good article. Let the white people dance off beat to this shit.

    45. white people are the only ones buying the music, so this is why the music has changed and is now made for them

      the real hiphop music is the new rock n roll of the 90s…dead and not coming back. put on your dancing shoes and hope that you’re light skinned (drake) to get your shine on in 2016

    46. Yep Ryan Lewis stole Horns from the Chance’s Surf Project. You are an idiot! Ryan has been using live horns wayy before Chance was even Rapping! Do I like this song..no of course not. But Listen to Macklemores Discography first and stop judging by the Mainstream Radio hits.

    47. fucking hypocrite pieces of shit. Why aren’t you offended by Action Bronson, J. Cole, or Joey Bada$$, three artists who haven’t met an original idea their entire career? And that’s just those three. I listened to the song: I don’t particularly care for Macklemore (he technically can rap, but I really don’t care for his brand of social conscious type stuff) or this kind of throw back music, but it’s far from the biggest “sellout” song out there. It’s better than any Travis Scott, which undoubtedly will be hailed as the New Classic by some. It’s better than any Lil Dicky White Supremasist rap bullshit. This obviously didn’t deserve a big ol’ fuckin article.

    48. Not a Macklemore fan, but this was a horrible editorial. Embarrassing journalism for a site as respected as DX. Not looking forward to any pieces from this “journalist”.

      1. I don’t think people have respected DX in a long time.

        It’s like the Source. At one point in time it was good, but that point has passed.

    49. This isn’t a white rapper situation, as some clowns in the comment section keep trying to make it out to be. This is a rap vs wack situation. If the world or the unitiated view this shit as rap then our art form will start to die a very slow and painful death. Shiiit if this guy moves units, what does that say to the nxt generation of rappers? Once read an article on how radio stations pick and choose what songs they “believe” will be a hit and then they increase its rotation to the point that it becomes a self-fulfulling prophecy. I remember that moment because Iggy’s fancy was 20 on the chart and had been chosen for extended play and wtf happened after that? Pls reclassify your shit as pop rap, wack rap or whatever bsut dont water down our shit

    50. Plain and simple this editorial is straight up biased HATE. Andre Grant the song just came out! I don’t understand how guys like you can make a conclusion on a song that quick. Music is like wine…swirl the wine in the glass, take a sniff, perhaps a little sip, and then indicate whether you find the wine acceptable. SIMPLE

    51. Grandmaster Caz,Mele Mel, Kool Moe Dee, I can’t believe you’ve sold Hip Hop for a check. Shame on U!!! Your legends…they turned you guys into Broadway dancers for goodness sakes.

      1. Haters always have the worst grammar/spelling. I am going to open up the Black Quaker School for Hater Who Can’t Spell Good.

    52. This article was well worth it just to see all the crybabies spilling their period blood all over their keyboards in the comment section.

    53. Wait, so “Uptown Funk” bit “fifteen other songs” and you consider it genius. “Downtown” bites some songs and gives a shout out to hip hop’s pioneers and it’s absolutely reprehensible? This entire article is hypocritical.

    54. If you like Drake, how you gonna hate on this? I give him props for having the old school MCs in the vid…yes, its corny, but so is the crap DX praises on the regular…

    55. First…the song is horrible. 100% agree on that.

      But this is the same site that just wrote an article about how Azaela Banks is the greatest thing since sliced bread despite her hypocritical, horrible music….so let me take your opinions with a grain of salt.

      Also, “Ryan Lewis, get out while you still can” at the end of your rant about a horrible song and a horrible video…..you realize that he produced this horrible song, and directed this horrible video, right?

    56. If I told you that Tupac ripped off *white* music legend Bruce Hornsby in his song Changes, you’d lose your mind. Good artists listen to each other and measure their abilities off of what’s working. No one called JLo, who had been outbox the game YEARS a sellout when she teamed up with Payroll for that garbage song about drinking and clubbing.m.she was pure pandering and it mE her another platinum song. At least Mack is keeping his trademark sing-talking and story telling. That is what made him unique and still does. The allusion to gentrification is a non-subtle complaint about whites moving into inner cities again, but *have you seen* who they are? Blacks, Hispanics, Asians, whites, all these people want to have the glorious city life experience, so your complaint barely veils the fact that you’re probably black and you want black things to stay black. Dude, what’s more egregiously racist than hating on someone, even in the sideways way you’ve done, for basically taking elements of a culture beloved and created by black Americans, and *treasuring, PRESERVING* those elements in his own way? This damn hypocrisy about who belongs in a genre and who doesn’t is about as anti-thetical to what musical artistry is about (openness, exploring, sharing, communicating feelings, enriching, uplifting) as a black person praising someone for perpetuating old biases about how black people supposedly are ( I.E. a person should get scared any time a black male in his teens hops onto the same sidewalk and starts going the same direction).

      Grow up and live and let live. This screed wasn’t worth the time it took for you to churn it out.

    57. Nothing wrong with it.

      Most of you lames think hip hop is talking about wealth, bitches, mayhem and destruction. You are the problem.

      1. may i suggest that before you spout your meaningless opinions, you learn what the words that you are using mean…unless you rally thought this was tripe, also known as sheep stomach.

    58. If you’re gonna attack this song so vehemently, you better go after about 10 songs a day on here with the same vitriol. This dude sounds like Macklemore shunned him at some industry party or something. This definitely has an agenda. I never heard this website attack a song so hard, and there’s 10-15 new terrible songs on this site per day. Macklemore is wack, but the World needs Macklemore a lot more than it needs Murda Mookie, Mookie Milly, Milly Murda, Milly Mook, and all these other fuckin’ rappers that are basically the same guy.

      1. Clearly, you are a racist. “Murda Mookie, Mookie Milly, Milly Murda, Milly Mook” are all upstanding members and pillars of the community.

    59. its the same thing shady used to do back in the day. his lead single would always be a funny song. lay off the guy, fuck.. a whole article to hate on one song by macklemore. to quote champ kind, you sound like a gay. apparently you need more fun in your life. not everything is about selling drugs, shooting guns and black struggle.

    60. maannnnn, you guys promote (and even celebrate) some of the WORST fucking music on this site, music created by idiots that don’t even KNOW the names ‘Grandmaster Caz’ or even ‘Moe Dee’, let alone include them on anything… and you’re gonna dedicate an entire “news article” hating on this dude that not only recognized some OGs, but INCLUDED them on his sure to be chart-topping song?! That’s LOVE right there, you fuckin moron… be a real journalist and report something GOOD, not just spew your shitty opinion and hatred.

      1. The most ridiculous part is where he tells Ryan Lewis to get out while he can, when Ryan Lewis is the most important factor in the act’s (which is called “Macklemore AND RYAN LEWIS”) pop-appeal.

    61. lol great article, glad Andre had the balls to post this. Everyone else is too busy kissing this dipshits ass. About time some one in the media outs this clown. Couldnt have said it my self. big ups to Andre

      1. Kissing ass? 90% of commenters here said they don’t like the song or Macklemore. Only that he clearly didn’t deserve this load of horse shit dumped on him for making a song/video that his fanbase (not you, me, or Andre Grant) will obviously dig. That’s what you do no matter who you are, you make music for your supporters and everybody else can lick balls/write shitty editorials about it.

    62. too much hate, especially on someone who probably actually loves music and grew up heavily influenced by real hip hop. This song isn’t formulaic by the way, watched the vid and the composition wasn’t predictable. How exactly is Macklemore gaming the system when he’s making songs that are borderline unacceptable from the jump to most people today (i.e. 150+ bpm), and they end up becoming hits probably just because they’re different?

      I don’t get the hate, musicians take inspiration from older musicians, at least Macklemore seems to also pay direct respects to his inspirations as well. I didn’t really care much one way or another for Macklemore before, I previously just thought he was a pretty crappy rapper that took some chances with music but had the corporate machine backing him up and he lucked out, but your article made me realize I might actually have respect for the guy.

      1. Look into him. He actually doesn’t have corporate machine backing. These 2 have their own “record label” called macklemore inc. They came up building an audience performing locally, regionally then across the country and world. They used their own money for music, touring and merch. After they released “The Heist” and it sold over 100,00 copies and did a successful tour (of 3,000 to 5,000 seat theaters) did they pay Warner to promote “Thrift Shop”, “Can’t Hold Us”, etc… on the radio and they went on to do another world wide arena tour and sell millions. He’s been name checked by veteran rappers including Nelly and Talib Kweli on how to be successful and independent. He’s not the greatest rapper, but he can rap circles around Tyga and Fetty Wap just to name a few. It’s obvious the author hates him and probably had this article wrote up a couple years ago (with a few added tweaks) and was just waiting for new music from

    63. HES NOT TRYING TO “DO” ANYTHING IF YOU HAVENT NOTICED YET THIS IS HIS LANE OF MUSIC SO THATS WHAT HES GOING TO MAKE

    64. I agree with everything that you say about this song but what makes it different than the other group or artist that you guys promote on here ??? Fetty Wap from Patterson NJ acting and sounding like hes from ATL and not in a good way. Nothing is original in the pop world, they are all formulated and made into stars. Kendrick has talent but he’s overrated, hes popular because they let a So called underground type cat in the mainstream now people act like he’s the greatest thing ever. lol

    65. Wow this article really does sound like haterism. I’m not a Macklemore fan. I’m not a fan of the song, but reading this article would have you believe that this song is the worst travesty to ever be unleashed on the music world. It’s far from that. And the video I thought was actually really good. It actually was one of the more original videos I’ve seen in a long time. I have to agree with other people who said that this article is hypocritical. This site posts all kinds of shitty music all day and no one does a damn thing. This is just kind of a bad song. It’s not offensively terrible. This hater writer needs to get a life and stop being blinded by hate for a guy who is actually an independent artist making major money.

    66. No this is trash. It s not hate and i dont support garbage. When your influenced by aseop rock and atmosphere and you make music like this? It sad you put fetty wap and iggy in the same conversation with someone that really loves this genre but this is perfect example of selling out and he ll be forgotten faster then he came.

    67. is it because he is white in a black music industry and he is doing this that offends you. i just am wondering because atleast he is being himself and you know what the song is okay and his last cd had great songs on it and it was great to see someone put out a single that was so catchy like thrift shop and have it backed with songs that had great depth to it to show the young kids that see something flashy and run to it that there is more to life. dont get me wrong i love kendrick but kendrick would do a flashy song he just cant even eminem could but this guy could and you got to give him credit cause he does this but it isnt all he does he has great depth in meaning in many of his songs

    68. Damn dude, you really wrote a crappy review. I think your review is as loaded as the song you’re reviewing. And your attempt at being a wordsmith reviewer just make you seem like a verbose, pretentious dude. Kill your darlings and bring some valuable arguments to the table.

    69. Dude. The most sell out song? Get over yourself. He’s white. You hate him. We get it. Speaking of lacking originality, laying into macklemore in the hip hop community isn’t terribly original…

      1. You’re the only one making it about race. Hip hop shouldn’t be a depth less formula like this song very, very clearly is.

    70. completely uninformed article.

      this especially doesn’t make any sense: “He bites his very own “Thrift Shop” when he’s in and out of a moped shop.”

      1. lol yeah, i caught that too. how the fuck can you bite your own song??

        maybe it was a shitty attempt at being sarcastic/making a joke?? *shrugs*

    71. I read the review before I listened to the song, and I thought this Andre dude has to be waaaaay overreacting………………No, he is right. This is one of the worst songs I’ve heard in a long, long, long time. Nowhere in this 5 minutes of utter shit did anything approaching a speck of innovation or positive contribution to music occur. My ears are bleeding. My IQ is lower. May God have mercy on Macklemore’s soul.

    72. Wow, if only you put this much effort into calling out the abundant amount of shitty rappers who make worse music.
      I’m from Seattle, know the history of Mack before he blew up, and even if you dont like his style, the dude is making “music”. Also, at least he has his own producer who does more than just make trap music.
      I’m not a fan of this song actually, but I do find this article a bit biased. Weed problem? Dude had much more than a weed problem….
      The main thing about macklemore is he is at least having fun while doing what hes doing, and somehow that seems to not be ok now a days. Gotta be acting hard, strugglin, and throwing money at the strip club or youre “soft”. Let the dude make his music and be different….damn.

    73. Man just hatin hard on him haha. Dude he’s been making music like this and videos like this since I was a freshman in highschool 2004. its his style, always has been..people just watch his shit now and think he’s biting but he’s really just staying true to what he does. Also he’s an old head not no young 20 yr old. All his influence like Kool Moe Dee an the others he has in the video is the era of music he grew up on…and he’s from Seattle bruh. I live here and love it but dude its the weirdest place weird people weird culture. Everyone here just does what they want, the more different the better. And everyone has a lot of love for the city history and culture..you can tell he’s from Seattle.

    74. This may be the most ill concieved and biased article I’ve read here on DX. It seems like a hate piece from step one. Yes this song is derivitive and annoying. But some of the logical leaps you make when saying Macklemore himself is terrible because of this just seem ill informed and vitriolic. Which leaves me wondering, how did this dude hurt your feelings that you feel the need to hate on every aspect of what this artist is doing?

    75. In your feelings much HipHopDX? Maybe before you guys write you should think if your just being sensitive. What an insane article. It’s like you guys were drunk and posted something. Maybe before you post something about a “HipHop” artist we should debate whether the track is a hip hop track or not. It will save you all the heart attack.

    76. Whether you like it or not, there’s a place for pop rap in the music industry and Macklemore at least does it well. Is this an insightful, original or artistic song? No, and it’s probably one of the weaker singles from Macklemore, but it’s catchy and you can tell he’s having fun doing the song and video. Thrift Shop was the same way, and the majority of “The Heist” was actually a very good pop rap album. I wouldn’t consider this a sellout song, if Kendrick Lamar made a song like this then yes, it would be selling out. Macklemore has never made anything but pop rap, and that’s fine as far as I’m concerned

      1. Here’s the dysfunction again. It’s not my opinion, but some would say Kendrick sold out with the Bad Blood Taylor Swift song… But, who is saying that? What do we mean by selling out? I think today we just mean that the artist is not being faithful to what WE think the artist should be. It’s arbitrary. Kendrick does a song with Taylor – no big deal. Jeezy or Kevin Gates does a song with her? Might catch some flack for that. Why?

        The only real non-sell out artists are the ones who DON’T sell… who truly just do their art for the sake of the art. Everyone else is out here trying to sing for their supper like everyone else…

    77. Not a fan of the artist, or the article. This is what this guy does. Pop music. He wins a Grammy, says himself it should go to Kendrick. Reaches out to Kendrick. He says he has benefited from white privelege. What else does he need to do? I mean he’s staying in his lane. What I found most interesting about this song in particular, is he featured 3 old school hip-hop legends. Chances are, your favorite rapper hasn’t done that. I’m not a fan, but I don’t think the guy deserves all the hate he gets.

    78. the song is cultural appropiation at its finest, unoriginal, and i dont get why macklemore would even apologize to kendrick, when he just steals his whole sound and culture, then white washes it for the radio and get called one of the “Good Rappers” by some 40 year old white guy listening to this with his 13 year old daughter.

      1. Let’s be fair here: Without cultural appropriation, I don’t think most of the great art that is here today would be here.

      2. Honestly I can’t imagine any culture wanting to claim credit for the monstrosity that is Macklemore. Let’s just say he is appropriating the culture or cornball asshattery and keep it moving.

    79. A bit harsh maybe?
      Chill out bruh.

      Can’t say I’m a big fan of Macklemore to begin with. This is just another one of his songs to me, nothing that remarkable about it.
      What is there to say, I was never a big enough fan of him to get angry over it in the first place, this is the kind of shit you expect from him

    80. as Edna answered I am shocked that a mother able to earn $6961 in one month on the computer .
      read,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, Money-Hours.Com

    81. This article lost it’s credibility with the the word “genius” and “Uptown Funk” in the same sentence.

    82. It really is so manufactured it brings a tear to the eye.
      Nothing wrong with making music that you hope will gather traction, but there is absolutely nothing redeemable about this trash.
      Macklemore is almost single handedly destroying the art of hiphop

      1. really? Macklemore is? Unsigned underground artist turned pop superstar?

        HES THE ONE? Not juicy j or iffy azalea?!?

    83. This read’s like something from Fox News…slant game 10/10.
      I understand people don’t like this dude but his producer’s got chops and the song is fun. This genre isn’t just 36 chambers and Crenshaw Blvd anymore (cough-Lil Dicky-cough).
      Let the boys play.

    84. this editorial piece seems to display his salty-ness about macklemore winning the Grammy over Kendrick ( which was b.s.). first who cares about the damn Grammy’s, hip hop fans were never interested in that popular industry award’s b.s. Secondly, if the writer ever listened to macklemore when he was underground he would no that flow at the beginning of his song was always his flow. This song is a cliche of uptown funk… that’s it. it’s a satirical piece that macklemore is known for before he was famous and an underground artist. Here is a piece of advice, read your piece a few day’s before your immediate reaction to the song.

    85. So, let me get this straight–you honestly feel that M & RL are more derivative than Kendrick?!? Ceaseless self-aggrandizement, bitches, hos, guns, money, drugs, booze, Compton and nigga-nigga-nigga. You’re right: That’s some seriously ground-breaking stuff. Why don’t 700 million people bother tuning-in to that shit? Because it was already stale 20 years ago.

    86. 147 comments as I’m typing… don’t think I’ve ever seen that on this site. 147! Damn, u hit a button homie!
      Your last comment was the most potent, Ryan Lewis. Ryan Lewis is a hell of a talent and he could help many a career.

      1. Bytheway, there’s nothing fresh about “Downtown”. It IS emotionless as the writer mentioned and THAT is one of the major issues. Music is an art form that must contain emotion to be beneficial.

    87. How do you go from Language of My World to this? I was genuinely a fan of his after that album because he was so different, had a good sense of humor and could actually rhyme. I even respected where he was coming from on many of the songs on The Heist (particularly “Starting Over”), although its not really my style production-wise. But you lost me Macklemore… How do you go from the self-awareness of “White Privelege” to this bullshit? Not only is it substanceless, but its cultural appropriation at its fucking stalest and lamest. You’re indie and yet you pander worse than most of the artists signed to majors! Did you really think you’d get away with this in the hip hop world or have you just totally abandoned the genre for your new audience? This song defines what not to do as a white rapper (he used to be an emcee, but has been stripped of that title). Even a black rapper would have been laughed off the scene for this one. For once, I agree with DX. I can’t deal with this fucking guy anymore…

    88. Before we let foreign corporations narrowly define what hip hop is, hip hop was everything. You youngins and the author don’t seem to get this. Before we let the captains of music industry divide us into market segments to maximize sales, we had open minds about what hip hop could be. I first heard the Beastie Boys on “black” radio and their race just wasn’t the most important part of the conversation. We weren’t afraid to like it because, we hadn’t been taught yet to automatically hate everything outside of a particular box.

      Someone below commented that “This genre isn’t just 36 chambers and Crenshaw Blvd anymore” – well, if you’re old enough or do your homework, you’ll know the genre was never “just 36 chambers and Crenshaw Blvd” (unless you were just born in the 80s and think hip hop was invented in the 90’s . There was a time when no one had a problem with a poppy perspective on hip hop sitting right alongside Cool G Rop and Rakim, for instance. It wasn’t about this is not that…it was this is this and that is that… the different opinions could exist side by side. No one (as far as I remember) dissed the Fresh Prince because he was “soft”. It was fun, he had skills and got the listener emotionally involved.

      I get with the whole spectrum of hip hop since Rapper’s Delight and The Message, but I don’t want my 12 year old daughter listening to a 2 Chains or Young Thug record…not yet…but, I want her to love hip hop. I want to listen to it WITH her – not in secret when she’s not around. In the meantime, songs like this that are relatively clean (waiting for a clean edit) fun are not bad JUST because they have pop appeal, in fact they may bridge the gap for some folks who don’t want to be cussed at or forced to absorb violent imagery. Let there be choices,. let hip hop breathe! I think Macklemore is sincere as he can be with having had the blessing of being born anything other than white…he is NOT an Iggy.

      And really… is it his FAULT for winning a grammy? Who gives a fuck about a goddamn grammy anyway? This is how dysfunctional and twisted this corporate system has got us. One one hand we’re like fuck the man while the other hand is out begging for an award and recognition from the same system that we criticize. Shit is deep and twisted. If it makes you feel better Macklemore and Ryan Lewis are NOT winning best album at the BET awards…

      AND… of all the hip hop artists paying homage (lip service) to the pioneers, this guy is making that shit REAL and putting MONEY in their pockets. Who is putting these guys on tracks that will make real money? This song is going to make a TON of dough. How could you not want it to be a hit when the hip hop godfathers will get PAID when it happens?

      This article/opinion is a short-sighted knee jerk reaction. Is the author mad at Ol Dirty (Fantasy) or Bone (Breakdown) for working with pop star with Mariah Carey? Maybe, but those songs are my shit too.

      MRE8

      1. This is one of the most level-headed internet comments I’ve ever read. Well done sir, I feel like youngins today are too quick to hate with knee-jerk reactions. Do your research, the song may suck but it has its place. Is this guy complaining about Fetty Wap’s horrible auto-tune mess? At least this guy is giving props and dough to legends

      2. MER8, SeanPRIP is right. This is the most level headed comment, I’VE ever read on ANY subject. (BTW, The Fresh Prince…. My childhood was revisited just now!)

        Like it, love it, or hate it, this song is a hit!

    89. Sooooo….I guess we back to hate on Macklemore show?? For real this article can eat a dick and the folks who blindly and foolishly agree with this..there’s no killin, no drug usin or glorification no demeaning of gender, race or social class. The beat was knockin..IT WAS A HANDS DOWN FRIENDLY SONG!!! This some ol hatin ass racist bullshit!! The only thing Kooning is this damn article on this song. Cut that shit out and let that man live and do his thing.

      1. True! And this is just something to like and sounds good. No drugs, no twerking, no bad influences for kid’s. This is why you have to love Macklemore and Ryan Luis.

    90. This article is just so typical. Just because it sounds a little like Uptown Funk, let’s discount the other great, innovative parts of the song.

      1. This song was bad on a lot of levels except one…. the one that ends with the $$$. I believe this is a poorly crafted record period.

    91. I both like and recognize that Jeff Koons IS one of the great artists of our time. I also meant it as a compliment that I compare Macklemore to him. My first impression of both of them was that they were doing something extremely pop and not too relevant. The more I learned about their work and the more examples I was exposed to, I realized there was a great deal we miss when we don’t look for “the layers” Macklemore talks about. We pass something off without really looking at it, listening to it. This song seems as sweet as terimazue but it’s layered with criticism of the “sell it to us at all cost” big business chokes us with every day. To make his point he hits on everything a song like “Uptown Funk” has to offer that we can’t resist because it’s just so damn cool. Read the lyrics without listening to this song and they’re art, but who cares? Most of us just enjoy the ear candy, but one thing I can tell you is I ain’t hating anything about Macklemore. I’ll buy that new C. D. The day hits my home town.

    92. First of all don’t like any of his songs. But I think the dude is alright. This is probably the only song I might give him a little credit. I like the old school 80s hip hop that is going around at the moment. Finna get loose by puffy and pharrell another example. This song besides the long winded chorus is actually I pretty slick idea. Maybe I just like it coz you have legends on there.

      1. I wish more rappers had a will and the ability to crossover to mainstream. I want a rapper to finally achieve a billion views on YouTube. I’m tired of it only being the pop acts achieving such success.

    93. I understand why someone would write this article but I would have to say he is definitely wrong with this one. The song isn’t that bad and definitely has its place. He is a white rapper that is taking advantage of his ability to crossover. The song pays homage to 80s hip hop. Time to stop hating on this guy.

    94. Certain people, who I assume don’t listen to too much hiphop think if a “rap” song isn’t about money, cars, hoes and chains it is automatically a brilliant piece of art. You’re mistaken. The art form isn’t that basic.
      This may be the harshest post I’ve read on DX but I find it hard to disagree with many of the truths stated in it. Macklamore somehow managed to sound even more pop than before using even more elements of the artform.

      1. dude shut the fuck up, you want to know someone who is pop, flo rida and pitbull. they are the ones making uninspired derivative pop rap. Macklemore actually does something that’s fucking different in a creative fashion, keeping its core sound hiphop, oldschoo, while retaining a radio friendly sound. For me, I’m glad macklemore is doing this, I want to see more hiphop artists gain mainstream success, and you cant do that without making songs for the fucking radio. I don’t want hiphop to remain restrained to one particular niche. sdo dude, shut the fuck up and stop shitting on creativity.

    95. Macklemore is a POP artist. To call his music hip hop/rap is fucking hilarious.. He is terrible and if you really think he deserved his award over K Dot, you are sadly retarded. He may have decent music, but again, it is not hip hop, it is POP. He makes songs that play on the radio and make him money. Not hating his grind, just his music lol! Anyways have fun with this corny ass shit!

      1. First, you must surely recognize that Hip Hop is more “pop” than Pop. its disgustingly commercialized and played everywhere in this country and world….thats POP! We have to stop glamorizing and pretending that Hip HOP is the greatest genre.

    96. “when it’s done wrong you get just about anything done by Iggy Azalea”

      as if you all werent BOPPIN hard to the classics that are Fancy and Black Widow last year, sit downEE

      1. Did you call Black Widow and Fancy Classics…good god?! There’s a difference between a radio hit and a classic song.

    97. Andre – You do understand that there’s just a *tinge* of satire in their music, right? They don’t recycle the same old tired hip hop formula (the glorification of misogyny, violence, materialism and substance abuse) because they see them for what they are–tiresome, vacant and worthy of SCATHING criticism.

      As for your comments re cultural appropriation, this is one of the most misguided criticisms imaginable. If you look back over the continuum of recorded music (pick a genre,) you’ll see that the true giants, with very few exceptions, share one trait–they study music fanatically and fuse styles like mad. Bagging on a musician for doing so is flatly moronic.

      I have no problem with critics who allow their reviews to be tainted by their personal beliefs, but I do take issue with critics with no solid footing in musical history. Perhaps you should consider a different line of work. How about working a corner store till in an un-gentrified neighborhood? North Baltimore, for example. We’ll see how you feel about cupcake shops after your third or fourth hold-up.

    98. Maybe this isn’t just the mindlessly friendly video we all think it is. There’s a sixty’s Afro American mod squad type in this video who seems nervous all the way through it. He ain’t happy,he’s scared. He’s hiding. Who does he represent you think? Maybe the Trevon Martins, or the Afro American who’s afraid of his neighborhood being gentrified, or the rapper who’s afraid of Taylor Swift proclaiming him as a good friend to her last night on the VMA’S as the end of his career and credibility as a”real” rapper. All this exposure and monetary success isn’t the end of the world. Everyone’s entitled to opinions, but talent speaks for itself. Why should the respect end when a guy becomes pop? And why should hate replace it?

    99. This is what we’re posting so many comments about? I don’t think this song is even worth taking about..the chorus is terrible and the beat at the beginning is catchy but that’s about it. I don’t think it has anything special about it or to make it memorable.

    100. Lol biggest clown article every written. You reek of jealousy. What’s wrong? Couldn’t make it in the game yourself so you hate on those who do it differently than you would? Here’s the fact: This dude got 3 pioneers of the rap game to sit down and do a song with him. They didn’t have to. They chose to. Who else is doing that? Who else is putting history on their records?

      And let’s not forget Bruno Mars didn’t even write uptown funk, he just sings the lyrics someone else wrote. You act like that was all Bruno. Clown article Bruh.

    101. Weak article. Weak. Pays homage hip hop pioneers. So many other rappers could have, but didn’t. Sap sucka wrote this weak article

    102. I guess you missed the part where Ryan Lewis wrote the song, Andre. I think you’re the clumsiest troll on the internet right meow.

    103. This article is written horribly and misses the mark completely. It sounds like more of a diss based on personal preference. I agree with one earlier comment mentioning satire that has gone over the OP’s head. Also, I don’t understand the comparisons to Uptown Funk. They’re different. Macklemore seems to mix a lot of different elements here and pays a bit of a homage to Petula Clark’s 60s hit “Downtown” with the chorus.

    104. Who cares! If the song sounds good then it’s a good song. Everyone has their own musical tastes and clearly this is not a song you enjoy listening to. That being said no one wants to here your dumb ass opinions!

    105. Seriously? I am not a fan but this is what hip hop sounded like before all the drug dealers and thugs got hold of it. The moment I heard it I said to myself, this is old school hip hop. I could do without the bridge but the rapping, beats and track is on point. Im old enough to remember even if all you trap heads don’t. Trap music is not hip hop. dude paid props to legends in the game, how can you fault that.

      1. you hit it on the head. like you I’m old enough to remember and love that boom bap and party lyrics. I’m not a fan either of his music but respect where respect is due.

    106. What the hell is this bullshit article? I agree with most of the commentators on here. This article reeks of jealousy. Your opinion lacks substance and quite frankly reads like a toddler throwing a tantrum. Come on Andre put your big boy pants on and give credit where credit is due. You should have written your critique the way you were actually thinking. You hate this song and Macklemore because you didnt hear the words Nigga, Hoe, Pimp, Cash, Bitch, Weed etc. It’s sad that your interpretation of REAL hip hop has to includes those words. Think about it, you are the one who is actually trying to dumb people down. Anyone who agrees with you on this article may lack the same mental capacity that you do. Even Melle Mel is defending Macklemore and to 99% of people who know true hip hop and its pioneers, that is all the opinion that matters. You are a neverwas that is trying to make a name by writing pathetic hate articles. Your opinion compared to Melle Mel is shit. Please go back to your mothers basement.

    107. You are a very biased commentator and it seems like your tired of your job ( not career) it is artistic freedom,, you display your hate for white people doing something that is popular for black people to do/// it’s artistic talent /// I didn’t like this song but now that you are talking about it/// I listened closely /// very artistic /// I guess your more into Kanye West because he so black he didn’t even marry a black princess /// but yet his music is the $$$ and he’s banking making $$$,,, overall isn’t that what selling /creating music is all about?

    108. this article is some real hate. Whats the matter Andre? Macklemore didn’t give you dap at a concert or he didn’t sign your Thrift Shop t shirt? You a hater.

    109. Man, fella, go take a nap or have something to eat or turn everything off and sit and listen to the birds. Life’s too short to have so much anger towards anything except maybe the dude that shot your dog. I like this song but even if I didn’t it’s not the end of the world, it’s not children being sold into slavery, go put all that energy into making a difference in this world we live in.

    110. I lovd this song too much to let u talk like that about it !! how would you feel if someone said that about you song that took you 18 months to right!!! I think you would be a pissed off !!

      1. I agree!! I think its better than the Mark Ronson track. And i’m a big Mark Ronson fan.
        This song makes me smile and that is what music is meant to do. They have killed it again. It will win the hottest 100 in Australia I think.

    111. I honestly hadn’t heard of these guys until this downtown song and thought I’d see reviews as to get an idea of who else hated the chorus as much as I did, but now, having watched the video clip and also the thrift shop song, I get it. I get what he’s trying to do and I find it hilarious!
      He’s paying out everything about music today – everything that passes itself off as r’n’b, rap/hip-hop. What we have today is garbage absolute GARBAGE and this my friend finally makes a statement about it all.

      1. The ‘Downtown’ bit threw me completely at first, just wasn’t expecting it. Now with more listens I absolutely love it. I’d not heard of Macklemore until yesterday but had heard Thrift Shop without really listening to it properly. Now I’ve seen a few video’s, realised what was going on, and think it’s funny as hell. Anyone who puts them self out there and doesn’t take themselves too seriously, is alright in my book! The reference to the smell of R.Kelly’s sheets in Thrift Shop, ballsy!!!!!

    112. This song is horrible, it is decent until that chick starts yelling out downtown, there is absolutely no point to her doing that and it ruins what would have been a mediocre track at worst. You people saying that it’s good are crazy.

    113. Oh man dude the fact he helped the three eighties rappers, with some long awaited work, brought in Eric Nelly whom will be a big hit sooner or later, and gave them all the opportunity to become recognized again is amazing… I in fact I love the song. .. and could give a fuck about your pointless and hating comment…
      I love the fact he could bring 3 different types of music and unify them into an amazing song… you buddy are in the wrong profession… No one said it better than Lady gaga when she made the statement sometimes when music is different and people don’t get it it’s always the gays who get it first, maybe u should become gay so u can understand art a little better… and if you’re against the LGBT, like you told Ryan Lewis get out while u can as a matter of fact get out now not many care if u haven’t read the comments yet….

      1. Yes those “eighties rappers” needed a white guy to save them from not having “work” lol, because hip hop wasn’t alive and doing well before white people started stealing it

    114. i didn’t have to google andre’s name before i realized this was written by a black guy who was upset to see a white guy do it big like this. This is great, it is such a powerful song that blends broadway type show tunes with hip hop and a killer hook. There are so many elements to this song unlike most hip hop songs which are verse/chorus/verse on a static beat. This song was a masterpiece.

      1. The hook is horrible and annoying as hell. Is this fucking song about fat women or mopeds or downtown or cake? Cause it sounds like just a jumbled bunch of garbage featuring some nobody on the hook that sounds like he can barely sing. The problem is the song sounds pieced together and extremely played out and tired. Plus I just really dont like Macks style of rap to begin with. Just say as many words as I can and make sure some of them rhyme, and when they dont, fuck it. Everybody got bugattis… what precedes is garbage what follows is garbage. Andre is just pissed that Shitlemore is cookie cutter garbage, yet people keep treating him like the actual cookie cutter. Lame, tired, played out raps: welcome to macklemore.

    115. I’m not the biggest fan of this particular song (has its moments, but for me is pretty sloppy in places), but the opinion here just reads like someone backing into reasons why he shouldn’t like something he’s already predisposed against. Pretty unprofessional.

    116. yep, confirmed it. I checked Andre’s Twitter and racial justice is his main agenda. that explains the tone of the rant. This guy has no credibility.

    117. Why, why, fucking why, if you love hip hop, if you love the culture, if you want to be a part of it, everyone wants to show hate, why? This song makes me feel good, just like The Mobb did, just like Em dose, just like Big, how bout Big Pun, Oh an Fat Joe, Oh Jodeci, like Pac, like 112, Nas, Bruno, WEEKEND, Salina Gomez ( that song is sexy as fuck), how bout that song, that I don’t know who sings ir, but she’s BBBBBAAAAAADDDDD….BOOM POW SOUND OF MY HEART GOES ON AN ON AN ON ….I love the Beasties too, so did everyone that believed in hip hop, Jay-z turning a fucking show tune into a summer jam…..cut it out….and I a a white girl in North PA, I love in the woods….♡♡♡

    118. Gee, who’s just a little bit bitter and twisted?! You sound like those pretentious a–holes over at Rolling Stone who think that every song should be an original, insightful, soul-exposing masterpiece. The world is full of artists who try to follow that line, and guess what – most of them are waiting bars and being heard by just about nobody, because their music doesn’t resonate with anyone. I’m not sure who decided that music should be an art form as opposed to a source of entertainment, but I think that, just like yourself, they miss the point. If it brings people happiness, then all power to it. Mackelmore does this in spades, so I hope he keeps on doing this.

    119. This song is awesome! Real ode to old skool and original. Not like that uptown funk garbage that mixes all the pop riffs. Am I the only one that hates uptown funk that much so unoriginal!

      1. originality? dude you know their are only twelve tones in music? Nothing harmonically has been introduced since the jazz greats of the 60’s and 70’s.. newsflash music is not random!!!

    120. Oh, Andre. Did we really need an entire article to tell us that pop music is engineered with a particular end in mind, and that—perhaps more than other genres—it borrows from disparate sources to achieve that goal? Were you surprised to encounter a white hipster doing these things? Come on.

      If you were twelve, your observations here might pass for precocious (and your writing might pass for slightly above grade level). As it is, both come across as overwrought and embarrassing.

      PS: “Downtown” is at least as good as “Uptown Funk,” and comparing the latter to “Thriller” is abhorrent.

      PPS: Selling out isn’t a real thing.

      1. His observations aren’t entirely asinine; I don’t even think that they are something that entirely surprised him. The people who are listening to pop music obviously are not thinking enough for themselves to come to the conclusion that pop is formulaic. Remember also that Macklemore is still the same “indie rap artist” in the eyes a lot of his fans. While he has no obligation to anyone to make any music other than that that will maximize his profits, it is still disheartening to see the devolution of music for the sake of money. There’s a noticeable stylistic and thematic shift from his early music to his current music, and there’s a reason why it’s selling better now than it ever was before. I don’t see everyone who loved “Thrift Shop” out buying “White Privilege”, but hey, you can be the judge of whether or not someone can sell out.
        The comparison of Thriller to the two pop songs is relatively accurate. Argue for or against Michael Jackson’s talent; he was still just making the music that people wanted to hear. He had an audience and he catered to it. That’s the overarching theme of popular musicians, apart from maybe Frank Zappa.
        You may now go back to sipping your PBR and spinning Father John Misty.

    121. You going to have to tolerate him a long time because I keep buying his CDs. I’m from the era of Cool Moe Dee and I love this guy. Keep hating, we keep buying his music.

    122. Andre,
      I’m slightly embarrassed about this so called “article”. It’s really just a hater’s rant. You don’t represent the hip hop community. I dare, you don’t even represent the “black” community. Stop trying to represent us…..it’s just embarrassing. Why are even writing this? who are you?

    123. Andre, you are entitled to your opinion. But know that no one has time to read this whole article that says you dislike the song. Additionally, your points of why you think it sucks will convince no one who likes the song to dislike it. Stop wasting kilobytes.

    124. The pull from different genres, styles, and eras ARE WHAT MAKE IT/HIM SO GREAT! Then you add in his lyrics which are a witty mix of pop culture references, new and old, and homage to his home town, and you get as close as this generation will get to having The Beastie Boys. I mean, ’cause that is EXACTLY what they did.

    125. Honestly Andre, sounds like you’ve been needing to bow out a while back, maybe mid nineties from the sound of it. I’m actually surprised that you liked Uptown Funk after reading your personal rant dressed up as a valid article.

    126. The problem, and I am a musician, is we try to dress all this up as so creative or as being so artistic…..guys they’re fucking songs …no more…no less. Furthermore, not many songs in any popular genre are written for artistic reasons, so please get over it. That goes for hip hop too, which should just be called hip-pop for its simplicity and overuse of synths these days.

    127. I think this song is insanely creative — and yes, it incorporates many movements. Maybe you don’t like it, because it’s too complex for your taste. It’s not formulaic with an easy entry, one hook, and then exit. For those of you confused about the hook entry: The reason Eric Nally (a MAN with a powerful voice who can BELT) pipes in with “DOWTOWN”, is because it’s an ode to the musical / film “West Side Story,” which is about a turf war between two gangs. Ever heard of it? It won 28 Academy Awards. Nally plays Mackelmore’s rival and explodes onto the scene with a stellar entrance. They are telling a story. Ryan Lewis and Macklemore are not afraid to take risks, be playful, and Macklemore loves to make fun of himself. The duo pays tribute to classic sounds that are appealing. You can’t fault someone for using a recipe that works. They always tweak it and make it their own. Ryan Lewis and Macklemore are making new sounds, and breaking ground, whether you like it or not.

      1. I think you’re giving Macklemore too much credit…. Waaaay too much credit….. “An ode to ‘West Side Story?'” Are you kidding me?

      2. Add to that the sounds are what was big in music at the same time, with arena rock (Queen) on its way out and hip hop on its way in. The author should be proud of the fact that Mack paid tribute to some OG’s, rather than quoting them and giving then a check, they are the FEATURED artists! Now, my 11 yr old niece who blew me with showing that Thrift Shop vid the first time can know that Rapper’s Delight was written by this guy, The other one was the best battle rapper until this teen named LL Cool J challenged him, and the last guy real fit rapped “Don’t push me, cause I’m close-to-the, Edddge” Because kids look at info and ask who is this if it’s not immediately recognizable and their name (s) are listed. The author should actually be more upset there isn’t more paying homage or respect for the fathers with the rap runners, who know their shit, and call for more representation to bridge that widening gap between new and true schools that homie set an example of on this track. I mean there are fans of his hits gettin down to this shit’s that’s unheard in today’s music, yet 30+ yrs old and in a format that’s like, yes this is retro, now let’s do those transitions they do in dance pop songs so you don’t get bored, note rock to this funky cowbell. It’s so 80s and not pop R&B melodies, but distinctive sub genres. I mean how do you not smile at those hooks, then the second where the lyrics are still hip hop, then sung like Freddie Mercury and the 2nd section girl part lyrics are pure early 80s rock anthems. But lyrics all in good fun and not serious at all, just like the made up as I go sound of early rap. And see cause he’s white it’s like oh he’s biting Kendrick, shit man I heard nothing bout Kendrick str8 getting bit in several songs and styles in Under Pressure. So in a song about tributes, it would be obvious he’s doing that type of flow esp since he worships the carpet King Kunta walks on. I really thought I’d hear something I missed about the song. Duh to the riffs. But that was more the sound of early rap cause it was still using disco beats as backdrops. Duh to pop elements, but you denying how it blends real well in the song and has immediately replay value is foul.

      3. Completely agree with you.

        I don’t listen to any radio now and have to admit I’d never even heard of Macklemore until yesterday. I watched the video and heard the song for the first time and I thought it was brilliant. I’m not a big pop music fan, I prefer alternative, electronic, different sort of things. I thought this was really clever. It wasn’t taking itself too seriously, the video is funny as hell. And Eric Nally is amazing, his hook really does have me hooked. Completely get the West Side Story influence, but maybe others are missing the point.

        I just think this is a fun, catchy enjoyable track and there aren’t that many about in a world of self-obsessed, autotuned young boys and girls from X-Factor. I get sick of all the same shit, at least Macklemore are doing something different. All credit to him!

    128. Maybe you have something against Macklemore personally? It sounded like less of a review and more just ripping into the guy. It’s a pretty good song.

    129. This one will go down in history as an instant classic. Perfect mix of old school hip hop and arena rock.u will always regret u r editorial like all the ones who criticised all the artists who made such songs against the norms in different eras. Way to go guys. You have the crowd with you.

    130. So wait on. You are disliking the song because it is very diverse and perfectly produced? What do you want? Three chords on a guitar and the exact same flow throughout the entire song like every other song on the radio?

      This song is so great because it has different flows, so much sampling, it doesn’t really rip anything off. It Is Original and creative.

      What the fuck.

    131. You don’t have to tolerate anyone. Do you eat food you dislike and wonder how much longer you need to partake?

      That said, considering the fact that this song is in no way that different from humorous songs he created before being popular I am not sure where you get the nonsense about selling out.

      That said, having a negative headline about a popular musician does get you the clicks you want (see out anyone?).

      1. Lol it’s kind of hard to avoid right now… A lot of radio stations play it, so you’re bound to hear it a lot. (Not to mention commercials).

    132. I hate pop music much more than the average person… I listen to heavy metal, death metal, dark techno, brazilian techno (eastern european, russian, german), old school electro, and tech house… I dont like pop music. But this song is fucking amazing, you are fucked up in the wrong kind of way sir. I hope you aren’t too sad with your life and thats why your hating on how happy this song is >.>

    133. I don’t even like Macklemore and I wouldn’t say he’s the biggest sellout we had this year. As soon as I heard “High for This” by The Weeknd on a Hugo Boss commercial three times in less than half an hour, I knew who 2015’s biggest sellout is. The garbage he released as a sophomore album will never compare to what he did between 2010-2013. Macklemore is just Macklemore. And was always a sellout, no surprises there.

    134. Boy, are you cynical! This is a great song. It’s fun to sing, great video to watch and I enjoy listening to it over & over! Lighten up; the world is filled with so much criticism & judgement already, we need more fun & a “who cares” attitude. You need to enjoy life a little more!

    135. Is there a way I can “like” this article multiple times?
      The piano at the beginning is enough to make me want to start beating my head against something hard and blunt. And it’s all downhill from there.

    136. When the first paragraph has nothing to do with the song you know this is going to be a crap article. Seriously how is “it’s like having your friends kicked out by a landlord” a criticism of the actual song? A great song can come from anyone anywhere and nothing makes a song good or bad but the actual song, that’s it. Saying a song is bad because it draws heavy influence from other genres isn’t a valid criticism. Does it sound good? Then it’s a good song, otherwise all of these bullshit comments about gentrification have nothing to do with the actual music.

      1. Depends on your view of good music. Some, who like the lyrics, find this song to be garbage because of all the nonsense lines in it, which I feel the author was trying to get at. Still, the song sounds good, so yes, it is harmless. FOCUS ON DERULO, PEOPLE!

    137. Andre, I don’t know what the hell you are on about, but the song for me is a mash of an awesome song and an awful song. The Macklemore bit is awesome, then the DOWNTOOOOWWWWNNN crap starts and it’s just horrible. I’ll agree with you there.

      All the crap about hipster and is he trying to this or that, we DON’T CARE!!! A good song is a song we like to hear, it’s that simple. The rap section of the song is awesome and I’ve already cut myself a version of this song without the screaming downtown crowd participation bit , problem solved.

    138. Song is fun lighten up everybody! Dang man not every song has to be Stairway to Heaven or Rapper Delight so chill folks

      1. I got a pair of tampon earrings for ya 2 play wit!

        My idea of rap and fun involves sucking the fluid out of your eyes, mixing it with your evapourated blood and tattooing metaphors to your peeled back skin!

        Macklemore gets an F- for originality & an A+ for rap assassination

    139. Well, at least we know Rap will go out of style eventually, like every other genre that managed to be the favorite of the teen masses. Rock, Punk, Doo-Wop, etc.

      What’s next? What does Macklemore’s murdering of rap herald for the next generation?

    140. i don’t know, macklemore seemed pretty legit to me, since I first heard “the language of my world” eons ago.

      downtown is not necessarily my favorite, and it sounds like he is not producing what you are expecting, but… that’s just how art goes. ; )

    141. Macklemore is a joke. His music is shiit it’s not rap it will never be rap and I hope the suburban white boy kills himself today. Real rap is turning in it’s grave. “Hip Hop is Dead” -Nas

    142. Well if you guys dont like it dont fucking do anything about it. The less me need in this street is unprofessional geeks going all round and round yeppin’ and chewing off of someones work. They just can’t ignore it and have to say something cuz they want piece of attention.

    143. Superb article, somebody articulated what I dislike so much about that steaming cynical pile of shit tune far better than I ever could…pop (c)rap strictly by the numbers…if anyone thinks cacklemore is showing respect to the old school I’ll have a ten of what they’re smoking, it’s pimping peoples memories BLATANTLY for $$$$…

    144. Ryan Lewis is the producer… you should be telling Mackelmoore to “get out while you still can” LOL Hating on the wrong guy 😀

    145. Jesus, man. It’s just a song. If you don’t like it, move on. And if you really want to be pissed at someone, be pissed at all the people who like it. There are plenty of things on this earth to be really upset about. Music is not one of them.

    Leave a Reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *