Last week, Macklemore ignited a social media debate with the release of “White Privilege II” and references to Miley Cyrus and Iggy Azalea. More recently, the Seattle rapper denied that the track was a diss aimed at Azalea and explained the concept behind the song.
On his latest release, Macklemore offered up his perspective as a white rapper and detailed his experience during a Black Lives Matter rally after Darren Wilson was not indicted for shooting and killing Ferguson teen Mike Brown. He further detailed the experience during an interview with Rolling Stone.
"I remember streaming it, watching the non-indictment, and feeling sick, physically sick, frustrated and angry," he said. "I got in my car, and I drove by these people assembled outside of the police precinct. I parked my car as the march was coming down the street, we proceeded to march all over Seattle, and we ended up shutting down the freeway."
Following his involvement in the protest, the “Downtown” rapper revealed that he was contacted by "an O.G." hip-hop artist, who he decided not to name. He referred to the dialogue as a "defining moment.”
"He sent me a DM on Twitter and then he called me, and he said, 'I see you, I see what you're doing,'" Macklemore said. "He was very complimentary about the music we've made, and it led into him saying, 'You have a platform, but silence is an action, and right now, you're being silent. You're not saying anything about what's going on, and because you're a white rapper you have perspective and an insight onto these issues that you need to be speaking about. It's very important that you engage your audience.’”
Aside from reflecting on his observations during the rally, Macklemore also used the track to address cultural appropriation and he name dropped two other acts who have been accused of being culture vultures. While talking with the publication, Macklemore insisted that his lyrics where intended to include Cyrus and Azalea in the larger discussion.
"It's an unpacking moment of internalized criticism and self-doubt, and 'What have I done,' and letting the criticism infiltrate who I am," he said. "'Why am I insecure at a protest?' And I think that people get put into boxes, and the conversation around cultural appropriation — I was at the forefront of that, rightfully so. And that conversation also included Miley Cyrus and Iggy Azalea, and that's why their names are on the record."
In December, Mac Miller shared similar sentiments in a series of tweets.
Dear White People who listen to rap music... What have you done for the #BlackLivesMatter movement
— Mac (@MacMiller) December 16, 2015
Music is something bringing people together for sure. But just because we listen to rap music doesn't mean we get it https://t.co/EJ2dzmAZXh — Mac (@MacMiller) December 16, 2015
Azalea seemingly took offense to being mentioned on "White Privilege II" and engaged in an exchange with rapper/activist Talib Kweli via Twitter.
Macklemore & Ryan Lewis' This Unruly Mess I've Made album is slated for a February 26 release.
