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How Seattle rap crashed the mainstream by swimming against the current

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Sipa USA via AP / Kevork Djansezian / Bennett Raglin / Theo Wargo/Getty Images / AP

Hip-Hop 50: All Rap Is Local

How Seattle rap crashed the mainstream by swimming against the current

August 7, 2023 • United more by strategy than sound, the city's stars are fans-first nonconformists, who have often succeeded by doing the opposite of what the industry deems bankable.

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All Songs Considered

The 2010s: Queer Goes Mainstream

October 28, 2019 • In the past decade, LGBTQ issues hit the mainstream in unprecedented ways, and music played a big part, with songs about queer love on the radio and anthems of allyship coming from all major genres.

The 2010s: Queer Goes Mainstream

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Macklemore Goes Solo For 'Glorious' Return

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All Songs Considered

Macklemore Goes Solo For 'Glorious' Return

June 15, 2017 • For more than half a decade Macklemore and Ryan Lewis have been an inseparable creative duo, racking up record sales and Grammy awards. Not anymore, for now at least.

Watch Macklemore's Powerful New Video For 'Drug Dealer'

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All Songs TV

Watch Macklemore's Powerful New Video For 'Drug Dealer'

October 25, 2016 • The Seattle rapper's newest single is an emotional, sometimes unsettling takedown of what he sees as a pandemic of drug addictions driven by doctors who overprescribe medicine.

New Mix: Santigold, Macklemore, PJ Harvey, Iggy Pop, More

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All Songs Considered

New Mix: Santigold, Macklemore, PJ Harvey, Iggy Pop, More

February 2, 2016 • In this week's mix, hosts Bob Boilen and Robin Hilton showcase a number of artists who reflect on their past to make powerful new music.

New Mix: Santigold, Macklemore, PJ Harvey, Iggy Pop, More

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'This Song Is Uncomfortable': Macklemore And Jamila Woods On 'White Privilege'

Ben Haggerty, a.k.a. Macklemore, and Jamila Woods collaborated on the song "White Privilege II." Ariel Zambelich/NPR hide caption

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Music Interviews

'This Song Is Uncomfortable': Macklemore And Jamila Woods On 'White Privilege'

January 29, 2016 • The rapper says he knew that releasing a nine-minute song that called out his own privilege would — and should — be seen by some as an unwelcome co-opting of the Black Lives Matter movement.

'This Song Is Uncomfortable': Macklemore And Jamila Woods On 'White Privilege'

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I Guess We Gotta Talk About Macklemore's 'White Privilege' Song

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Code Switch

I Guess We Gotta Talk About Macklemore's 'White Privilege' Song

January 29, 2016 • You won't have any thoughts about the rapper's new song about racial inequality, and his place as a white dude in hip-hop, that you didn't have before, in part because he plays it so safe.

New Mix: Missy Elliott, Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, PWR BTTM And More

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All Songs Considered

New Mix: Missy Elliott, Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, PWR BTTM And More

November 24, 2015 • This week we have new music from Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, the glorious return of Missy Elliott, a cut from PWR BTTM and more songs that will make you smile.

New Mix: Missy Elliott, Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, PWR BTTM And More

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Hear 'Kevin,' The New Macklemore & Ryan Lewis Song Featuring Leon Bridges

Macklemore (left) is joined by soul singer Leon Bridges on the song, "Kevin." Jason Koenig hide caption

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All Songs Considered

Hear 'Kevin,' The New Macklemore & Ryan Lewis Song Featuring Leon Bridges

November 23, 2015 • Macklemore's latest effort with producer Ryan Lewis is a funk-flavored tirade against the ravages of drug addiction.

Hear "Kevin" by Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, With Leon Bridges

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All Songs Considered

New Music: Macklemore & Ryan Lewis

August 5, 2015 • Platinum-selling Seattle duo return with a direct, emotive take on parenting and change.

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A Blog Supreme

Dave Brubeck Was The Macklemore Of 1954

January 30, 2014 • Sixty years ago, a jazz pianist found himself in much the same bittersweet position as a rapper did on Sunday night. Surely proud of their hard work, they also sensed that their privilege as white musicians had something to do with their new success.

Cumbia: The Music That Moves Latin America

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Music Lists

Cumbia: The Music That Moves Latin America

November 10, 2013 • The Alt.Latino crew stops by Weekend Edition Sunday to talk about one of Latin music's most pervasive rhythms.

Cumbia: The Music That Moves Latin America

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Best Music Of 2012

The Year In Music, 2012

December 5, 2012 • On this episode of All Songs Considered, hosts Bob Boilen and Robin Hilton are joined by Ann Powers and Stephen Thompson to talk about the year's biggest surprises, best new artists and more.

The Year In Music, 2012

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Tiny Desk

Macklemore & Ryan Lewis: Tiny Desk Concert

December 3, 2012 • In the span of about 15 minutes, the pair works through a moving message song ("Same Love"), a hilarious goof-off ("Thrift Shop") and a rousingly inspirational closer ("Can't Hold Us").

Macklemore & Ryan Lewis: Tiny Desk Concert

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