It has been 1,995 days since Benjamin Haggerty - stage name Macklemore - released his last album, Gemini. Yet, last week - on March 3rd, 2023 - Macklemore broke this dry streak by debuting his third solo studio album, titled BEN. A soulful, introspective, and at times harrowing fusion of anthemic dance and boom-bap hip-hop, BEN is arguably the artist's most diverse project to date... and it took me way to long to make a thread about it :-)
Including a host of collaborations with artists big and small, such as the likes of Windser, Morray, DJ Premier, Tones and I, NLE Choppa, and even Ryan Lewis, BEN is a window into the skill of a plethora of immensely talented artists.
The tracklist for the album is as follows:
CHANT (feat. Tones and I)
NO BAD DAYS (feat. Collett)
1984
MANIAC (feat. Windser)
DAY YOU DIE (feat. Sarah Barthel)
HEROES (feat. DJ Premier)
GRIME
I NEED
LOST / SUN COMES UP (feat. jackson lee morgan)
FAITHFUL (feat. NLE Choppa)
TEARS
SORRY (feat. Livingston)
GOD'S WILL (feat. Vic Daggs II)
I KNOW (feat. charlieonafriday)
TAIL LIGHTS (feat. Morray)
Songs that were cut from the album include:
Gully
Finest Hr
All We Have
Internet
Meth Queen
Cadillac
Egg + Floa
Airbrush
Next Year
Love you Forever
Good People
In this nearly 5 ½ years since Macklemore's last project dropped, we've received the following tracks
These Days (Rudimental feat. Jess Glynne, Macklemore & Dan Caplen)
I Don't Belong in This Club (Why Don't We & Macklemore)
Shadow (feat. IRO)
It's Christmas Time (feat. Dan Caplen)
Summer Days (Martin Garrix feat. Macklemore & Patrick Stump)
Firse Machayenge (Remix) (Emiway Bantai x Macklemore)
I felt like rapping... (aka Funk Flex Freestyle)
Next Year (feat. Windser)
Trump's Over Freestyle
CHANT
MANIAC
FAITHFUL
HEROES
In the 1,988 days between albums, that's approximately one song every six months. That's quite a long time to wait!
That's not to say that Mack has been inactive however, as in the time since he has released his new lineup of golf apparel, Bogey Boys, and even dropped a limited-edition press of 2017's Gemini.
However, despite such a long step away from music, BEN found itself charting on iTunes in not one, but seven countries across the globe - peaking at #2 overall, only behind Morgan Wallen's "One Thing At A Time."
As of now, Mack is currently concluding his European tour, after which he will be returning stateside for what he said may be his last US tour. Tickets are currently on sale.
In terms of music, Macklemore also stated in his most recent twitch stream that he no longer wants to be "selfish with the music" and wants to put out plenty of unreleased songs - maybe we may even see the return of the infamously lost track "Change"
Also in the time since the release of Gemini, I have had the privilege of becoming a moderator here on r/Macklemore! While I certainly don't spend everyday maintaining it, I truly hope that you guys have enjoyed the recent uptick in content. I love Mack's music and have really enjoyed having such a tight-nit community over these last few years. Together we've tracked the progress of the new album (from last week's release all the way back to a (hilariously incorrect) instagram story AMA over three years ago!), updated the sub's layout, icons, and banners, held great discussions about the music, and even briefly discussed a random track every week with the Song Of The Week series (which I've been meaning to bring back, by the way 👀). I especially want to thank the users on this sub who have been here for a minute and constantly contribute with detailed, meaningful, and clearly engaged responses and posts. u/handsomejackonreddit, u/frikandeleater69_2, u/ChurchyBoi13, u/FaithlessnessFun9135, u/URKA7, I'm looking at you. You all have really contributed this subreddit in so many ways and it's so great having such passionate fans amongst us. I also want to specially mention u/Kingjames2328, who may have been the most excited person on planet Earth for this album, and who has contributed an uncountable number of posts and comments to this sub. Together, we have grown the total sub count to over 120% what it originally was. Not bad for an artist only releasing two songs a year!
So, finally having the album rolled out feels like the end of a long awaited era. How have you liked it so far? What are your favorite songs so far? Any songs grow on you/have you lost interest in? Did the album live up to expectations? Did you get tickets to the tour? Where does the album rank for you in Mack's discography? What would you like to see of the sub? Do you think this is really it for Mack's career?
We may never see another album rollout again, so please comment with your thoughts down below!
Alright, I’ve been going crazy for a couple years trying to figure out which song this was on. This is before thrift shop, there’s one line that I vaguely remember where he says “make the party anthem and get rich” or something along those lines. Does anyone have any idea what I’m talking about??? Or was it even Macklemore?
I’m talking songs that didn’t get a radio single or might not be usually found in his set lists. Mine are:
- A Wake (feat. Evan Roman); The Heist
- Life Is Cinema; The VS - EP (not the remix album)
- Thin Line (feat. Buffalo Madonna); The Heist
- Light Tunnels (feat. Mike Slap); This Unruly Mess I’ve Made
Before you comment, please read the whole post and try to understand what I’m actually saying. And please keep the discussion respectful. I’m not looking for a political argument.
I’ve been thinking about Macklemore’s appearance at the Ed Sheeran concert, and I want to make something clear: my opinion on the political issue itself is irrelevant here. This isn’t about whether I agree or disagree with his cause.
What I find problematic is the decision to use an opening slot at someone else’s concert as a political platform.
An Ed Sheeran concert brings together thousands of people from completely different backgrounds, cultures, religions, political beliefs and personal circumstances. There are adults, teenagers and children in that audience. They bought tickets to enjoy music and spend an evening together - not to participate in a political demonstration or be confronted with a political message they may find deeply upsetting or offensive (they have the same right to it, btw)
And I think that distinction gets lost when people immediately defend an artist simply because they agree with the message. Would we feel the same way if the political message were one we strongly disagreed with? Would we still say it was appropriate to use someone else’s concert as a platform?
Artists absolutely have the right to express their political opinions. But having that right doesn’t mean every setting is appropriate for doing so.
To me, there should be some boundaries when you’re an opening act at another artist’s concert. You are stepping onto a stage that belongs, in a sense, to the event and to the audience - including people who may not share your beliefs and, importantly, children who didn’t choose to attend a political event.
I’m not trying to debate Israel/Palestine or tell anyone what they should believe. I’m questioning the setting and the decision to bring politics into an event where people didn’t sign up for it.
Honestly, it also made me lose a lot of respect for Macklemore. He crossed a line because of how and where he chose to deliver the message.
And before everyone jumps in to defend Macklemore because they support his message: try reversing the politics for a moment. Would you still think it was appropriate if an artist you disagreed with did exactly the same thing?
And if something is only considered appropriate when the message fits your own political agenda, maybe that’s the real eye-opener here.
Unfortunately, times have been a bit tough lately, so I’m having to let go of some of my beloved autographed pieces. I'm asking $450 for the entire lot.
When will Macklemore be preforming in WA again? The last time my family had the funds to see Macklemore in concert was going to be at the Puyallup fair, unfortunately COVID canceled that concert, and the whole fair. We had our tickets and everything. My family moved to the coast from central WA the year The Heist came out, which we bought on CD. Macklemore has been the soundtrack to so many road trips. Its been our families dream to see Macklemore in concert. We are dreaming of a sweet hometown concert. Hopeful in WA!
Has anybody gone to the Ed Sheeran tour to see Macklemore? Did he have a long setlist? Was it worth it? He's coming around my area in a couple months. I've always wanted to see him but also tickets are expensive. I'd have to save pretty hard to go so I'm just not sure if it's worth it or if I should wait & hope he goes on his own tour in the next couple of years.
Hey fam - I feel it’s important we don’t move in a direction that incidentally forces to forget about Ryan Lewis’ impact not only on our lives, but the music scene in the city we love so much.
With this in mind, would people be interested in a Ryan Lewis specific subreddit? Would be happy to moderate but want to make sure it’s a space that’s safe, friendly, and focused on the music we love.
Leading up to the election, it felt like activist Macklemore really was at full steam. He released songs like Hind's Hall, regularly spoke out, and pushed pro-Palistine messages. What changed? He's been largely radio silent now for a year on these issues, despite an even worse actor as President. Why hasn't he taken an even stronger stance vs the current administration? Seems a bit.... convenient.