Macklemore has released the music video for his new single “Heroes” featuring the legendary DJ Premier, which honors some of his idols, such as DJ Quik and N.W.A. Check it out below.
The video, which Macklemore and Jake Magraw directed, was released on Friday (January 20) and finds the Seattle-bred rapper taking viewers on a ride through New York City. Various scenes show Macklemore on graffiti-filled rooftops and rapping in front of a bodega about his heroes.
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“Seven, I heard NWA in the street / From my older neighbor who was playin’ ‘Fuck tha Police’ / Eleven, writin’ graffiti, fifteen, I’m sellin’ weed / By sixteen, I had an MPC / (It was Hip Hop’s fault) That I wanted to grow up” Macklemore raps.
DJ Premier appears throughout the video alongside Macklemore, and although some may think he produced the record, he didn’t. The producer is actually one of Macklemore’s longtime collaborators named, Joshua “Budo” Karp. In a trailer promoting the record, DJ Premier explained why he wanted to be a part of the record, hinting at Macklemore’s authenticity to the culture.
“Because it sounded Hip Hop and then your lyrics were so like I said relatable because we did all this stuff,” Preemo said. “We got fucked up, we hung out, you know drinking forties you all the things that made you still want to be a part of the club.”
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He continued: “As I said, from the time you came out doing your shit, all the way up to when you got a name that went to the mainstream…you still held on to the integrity of you as an artist. You know, just the recognition you’re also in it for the love of the culture and that shows.”
“Heroes” serves as the lead single off Macklemore’s upcoming album BEN, which is slated to arrive on March 3. According to a tweet from Macklemore, the album features DJ Premier and NLE Choppa, with more names to be revealed soon. It will serve as a follow-up to his last album Gemini which dropped in 2017.
