Macklemore reflects on being a white rapper in the Black dominant music genre.
Macklemore recently made his musical return with his first album in six years called “BEN”. The rapper is on the promo run for the project, as he made an appearance on CBS Morning for a new interview.
“How do you look at being a white Rapper in hip-hop, that’s a predominantly black genre and often times people say ‘You’re a guest’ How do you take that statement?” the host asks. “I think it’s true. It is true,” responded Macklemore.
“If you look at the orignin of where hip hop came from, and what was happening in New York City and Bronx, and the way that black people and people of color have been treated historically in America from the jump. This was a music that was birthed out of oppression, Hip-Hop is inclusive so there’s always been an open door to a certain extent. In certain moments it was a little bit harder to push it open. But I’m a guest, Em [Eminem ] is a guest. Doesn’t matter how good we get. Doesn’t matter how great Eminem is. We’re guests in the culture. Hundred percent.”
“And that’s not to say that i don’t belong here..I absolutely belong here. But you still have to realize that this is not your house. You’re a guest, and take your shoes off and help with some dishes,” he added.
On March 3, the 39-year-old rapper released his third solo album, BEN. The album comprises 15 tracks and includes guest appearances from notable artists such as NLE Choppa, DJ Premier, Sarah Barthel, among others “This album felt like a reminder of where I’m from,” Macklemore explained to Esquire. “A reminder of what has created the stories that make me who I am. Every album is an opportunity to strip away layers, to get closer to the heart—the thing that I’m trying to connect to every time I’m in the studio… Ben felt fitting. My parents named me Benjamin. I’ve been Ben my entire life. Shedding our masks, getting away from the boxes that society puts on us, and getting back to that core glue of what makes me a human—let’s write from that place.”
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Previously in his interview with KXNG Crooked, Eminem also agreed with Lord Jamar’s comments that he’s a guest in the rap game. “I never said I’m not a guest in HipHop. I absolutely am,” he said.
