I wouldn't argue with a single thing you said. What I would add though is that it does bug me that a lot of white middle class kids are connecting with it and feel the need to say things like "it's just nice to have a rapper that addresses real issues!" I don't mean to dismiss the fact that his music resonates with their experiences but I get really annoyed that they completely discredit other rappers because of this. I understand that a white middle class kid from Ballard isn't ever going to relate to Tupac or Kendrick Lamar the same way that a kid from Compton can but I don't appreciate that they feel the need to denigrate their experiences as "not being real".
I think it's fair to say we are two of the biggest rap fans on this board, and we seek out all types of hip hop, and we are also white middle class kids. How many white middle class kids really like rap? That is part of your distaste, and I agree. Should white middle class kids branch out in their hip hop listenings, sure, but how many actually do?
Macklemore hitting home with the white middle class is what makes his potential so giant. What if you're gay, or don't beat people up, or don't glorify drugs, or don't objectify women, who should you relate to? That amazing lyricist who glorifies violence, or the guy who says it's okay to be corny, gay, or emotional? It's a similar argument to why radio rock fans don't branch out beyond what all their friends are listening to. In general, all of us here branch out on many levels, and it's why we have a lesser opinion of the uninformed. It's annoying if they only like Macklemore because they think he speaks to their tribulations, but a lot of them are uninformed to begin with. We don't need to beat that horse anymore.
Yep, I agree with everything here.
I will say that I think it's awesome that Macklemore has guest spots from Schoolboy Q and Ab-Soul (although I could do without Buffalo Madonna and Allen Stone...). Hopefully some of the people that love Macklemore check out Black Hippy because of the cd.
Death Grips is seriously one of the most unique and exciting new acts I've heard in the last five years, at least. They can jock my nuts all the way to the Money Store.
Weingarten is fucking terrible but I think this list was a great idea. People would have been a lot less pissed off if they had titled it 100 best alternative guitarists instead but it was nice to see write ups about people that wouldn't get recognition otherwise.
Here's all you need to know about Spin: couple years ago, maybe eight or nine, they did a list of the '100 Most Influential Albums You've Never Heard' or something. I was delighted to see the Residents make the list with 1973's The Third Reich n' Roll, but then when I read the little blurb about the album it cited the Rz' cover of the Rolling Stones' 'Satisfaction' as a highlight, saying that it pre-dates and out-weirds Devo's cover of the same song.
The problem with this is that 'Satisfaction' isn't on Third Reich n' Roll. Someone over at Spin was like, welp, better throw some fuckin' Residents in there; they settled on 3RnR apparently without ever even listening to the fucking thing.
Not that anyone was, but I wouldn't put too much stock in their stupid little lists.
Since everyone is obsessed with Death Grips these days I Dr. Garbanzoured I should pass this along to those of you who don't read Pitchfork. The rest of the bands on the bill are really great as well, especially Joey Badass, Metz, and Hundred Waters.
Whoa...I thought people were kind of exaggerating when talking about how awful Axl has gotten. I was contemplating seeing them when I'm in Vegas next month....