The Conscious Rapper:A Review of Macklemore and Ryan Lewis's "The Heist"

The term “conscious rapper,” is placed on any MC who’ music isn’t overcome by the shallow party, love and materialistic content that overwhelms today’s mainstream hip-hop. Any time anyone dare mention something of socio-political importance and relevance, they automatically become the “vegetables” of rap music according to Michael Eric Dyson. People feel inclined to listen to artists like Macklemore just to get their dose of substance. The rest of the time they indulge in the sugar loaded junk food that is mainstream Hip-Hop. Macklemore has denied any of these titles. He is content just being an artist because to classify him as “conscious,” retracts from the rest of his artistic character.


In his latest release, "The Heist," with producer, Ryan Lewis, the Seattle native has proved his stylistic flexibility and dynamism of his lyrics. With subject matter ranging from tackling homophobia and tackling alcoholism to sneakers, and thrifting, the result is an exemplary balance of serious and cheerful cuts. That being said, this album is no good without its second half; producer, Ryan Lewis. His unorthodox instrumentals set the tone for Macklemore’s emotional and relatable lyrics. From the soulful and somber, “Same Love,” dealing with homosexuality to the 808-centric and cheerful “Thrift Shop,” to the intense orchestral “Wings,” detailing the effect of fashion and the extremes of trends, materialism, and consumerism, cohesively put together a both conscious and cheerful record that transcend the lyrical and musical binds of popular music.