Following the release of Seattle rapper Macklemore’s television commercial for the 2013 NBA All-Star Game, the criticism of the rapper and the use of his song “Wings” in the commercial was swift with fans both complimenting and condemning Macklemore for the ad.
Some questioned the use of “Wings,” a song that tackles issues of consumerism, in the All-Star Game commercial and Macklemore recently fired back with a letter addressing both the commercial and TNT’s use of the song.
In the Seattle wordsmith’s letter, he first gave a brief breakdown of what “Wings” is about.
“The song ‘Wings’ is about the pursuit of identity through the means of consumerism,” Macklemore revealed. “The attempt is to dissect our infatuation and attachment to logos, labels, brands and the fleeting happiness that is intrinsically linked to the almighty power of the purchase. The subject I use in the song is shoes, but its aim is to paint a broader picture of being a consumer and tracing the lineage back to my first memory of retail infused desire.”
Macklemore’s explanation of the song was then followed by his thoughts on being labeled a “sellout” for taking part in the commercial.
“In my stripped down definition, selling out is compromising your artistic integrity for money/fame, “Macklemore explained. “In my heart I can tell you that my personal artistic integrity remained completely intact over the weekend. TNT used our song. They’re still my words.”
To read Macklemore’s full letter, visit Macklemore.com.
RELATED: Macklemore & Ryan Lewis’ “Thrift Shop” Certified Double Platinum
Well put. Whoever hates it and thinks he’s a sellout, fuck them.
Well said, like a true dickrider.
^a hater’s lamest comeback
some people will call every fucking thing selling out nowadays, their insecurity levels are through the roof. and once an artist actually makes it big, here come the Illuminati comments.
Macklemore shouldn’t even have responded to these busters. but at least he did in a concise way.
A White Rapper, Who Has An Album Named “WHITE PRIVILEGE” The AUDACITY.
Umm he has a song titled White Privilege on his album The Language Of My World… Check your shit before you post idiot.
I didn’t even know who he was. I saw the commercial and was like “who is this weak ass dude? I didn’t know Chris Andersen rapped now.”. He’s corny.
Thought the same exact thing. Shit was trash.
fuck macklemore, he fucked up, thats why he felt the need to clean up his mess, but we see who he riding with…get that money, just don’t be fake about it. thats the problem with yall younger cats. ya’ll think it’s all abou the cash and shit. WHAT ABOUT INTEGRITY? Thats gonna have respectable listeners coming back, but you want to cater to the sheep, by all means, but the truth is the truth, he played himself, and you playing yourself now swinging from a one hit wonders nuts and shit FOH LOLOL he ain’t super duper funky fresh, so hop off the mans junk, ok , he gets hate, who doesn’t keep it moving f*ggot.
bug off with your “integrity” that’s something hipsters say to sound like their music taste is worth a damn
not everyone thinks about the cash, but at the end of the day that’s what everyone’s tryna get. everyone’s trying to get that dough and people will do it any way they know how. you’re knocking on their hustle, how bout YOU keep it moving
HANDLED LIKE A BOSS
macklemore? wacklemore…. yes. who gives a fuck if homeboy “sells out” if someone is offering you M’s up to sign with them or to get your song and video on a national platform, youd do it too. atleast it was that wings song and not that gay thrift shop song, gtfo wacklemore, make tracks like otherside and my oh my and the town or get outta here. quit moving around like a damn bird in every video and on stage, hold your arms down lil homie
That is so stupid a labotomized monkey could write something smarter. He didn’t sell out because he still has integrity and enough decency to respond to your punk ass. “Wacklemore” really, that has got to be the stupidest name to use to make fun of since “Kendrick LAME-ar”
Mackelmore has my grandpas outfit on AND HIS RAP skills….NEXT
he is a sellout and a clown, he can spit better than all the mainstream rappers, but who can’t lol
He made the song WWWWAAAAAYYY before it was even on TV; selling out means that you have lost your artistic ability and rely on the category of money and fame, it’s not bad to talk about money and stuff like that but if that’s ALL you ever talk about (Lil Wayne) then you have failed as an artist
I would respect him more if he said, “Yes, I am selling out. So would you if you were in my position. Don’t knock my hustle.”
There will be murda once Ja comes out, straight up.
“he can spit better than all the mainstream rappers”
Ross would lyrically devour this corny Eminem wanna be.
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
take the word lyrically out and I could believe you
LMAO no one even talking about Ross and quoteman gotta bring him up
Macklemore’s single is 3x Platinum and hes independent! Rick Ross hasnt had a platinum single since 2008
so he’s an eminem wannabe because why? his skin color? Get the fuck outta here old man, go watch miami vice and listen to pitbull while you jerk off to source magazines like you used to in high school.
^^ U used to be my dog, you was my left titi, screaming Ride or Die I thought you would die with me, found out you a bitch you can’t even ride, now we at war and you ain’t on the side with me
Meek Mill will lyrically humiliate this sell out. Even Cassidy… No, not him. Macklemore could defeat him.
who the fuck is this dweeb!?
OH sorry you must of been actually sleeping on actual hip hop while masterbating to all of Lil Wayne’s pictures
He had the #1 song in America for 5 weeks, a song that went 3x Platinum and yet you have no idea who this is? Maybe you’re the dweeb.
^ really!? real hiphop…WTF? this fucking lame is a one hit wonder, thanks to you 2 idiots. on to the next one.
I know, right! Your song is so much better, FU-Q.
Oh wait, that’s right, you don’t have one.
206!!!
Alright folks,
Here you have an artist who will speak out for gay marriage (although he’s straight), speak about thrift shopping (even if you don’t like the song, that’s like the first time that ever happened), his struggles with alchoholism and codeine addiction, staying true to himself and the problems of consumerism. AND YET, HE’S A FUCKING SELLOUT?!!
All you fuckin hip hop bloggers bitch and moan about how good artists don’t make it big unless they follow a trend. Well, here you go, Macklemore is not following a trend, dare I call him a “trendsetter”. And you people still aren’t satisfied. Even if you don’t like his music, you have to respect what he represents. Having a #1 single as an independent artist. All while not conforming into the styles of money, bitches & drugs.
Do I agree with the song being in the TNT commercial, not really. But I’m glad to see a good artist getting recognition. You should do the same. But you probably won’t. Because he’s “popular” and “mainstream”. You people are fucking rediculous.
Keep up the good work, Mack. You’re gonna go far.
If you like Macklemore, you like this..
If you don’t like Macklemore, you love this..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dctWwUJQqV8
i dont think people understand what selling out truly means. Every artist wants to make money off of their music so they can provide for themselves and their family. Doing tv shows and commercials is just another way for them to make money and get their name out their so they can grow their fan base. When an artist starts to change the style of music that they make to fit in with what everyone else is doing, that is selling out. As long as he stays true to his music and what he represents let the man live. The only thing that separates underground fro mainstream is exposure.
Macklemore creating and expressing a personal opinion towards consumerism is creating art. Selling the same song to the exact target of his expression to make money and increase fame is being a sellout. He is not staying true to his music and his ‘beliefs’. He has lost all respect and further opinions will be ignored as he is a lie.
Macklemore is pretty good but Weezy can outrap da nigga. swag
The only way anyone can really prove they are not a sellout is by continuing to make the art they believe in. Until his next single or album is released it is all a knee-jerk reaction at someone trying to make a little money and further their fanbase.
MACKLEMORE SUCKS ANUS
“so he’s an eminem wannabe because why? his skin color?”
Cause his songs sound alot like Eminem’s 1st album.
This is how far hip-hop has sunk…this guy is lame as they come… Em should be pissed that he is even compared to him… Macklemore is GARBAGE…
Honestly, I’m happy to see that a lot of people here recognize that Macklemore is not a hardcore hip hop emcee. I disagree with the Grammys’ best rap album decision. Kendrick Lamar should definitely have won. To be clear, Macklemore and Ryan Lewis make hip hop with a heavy pop vibe. I think to be categorized in the Grammys’ rap category, you need to be 100% pure rap. The only song I really like on The Heist is “Thrift Shop.” That’s it. I confidently give The Heist three out of five stars, no less, no more.