Macklemore is at the top of his game. Seriously, the guy turned what was supposed to be a one-night engagement into three sold-out nights at the Showbox at the Market. Each show booked after the previous one sold out in a matter of hours during the presale. (For context – the last local acts to sell out the Showbox in the same amount of time were the Soundgarden reunion, Peal Jam, and Death Cab for Cutie.) Although, it is quite the accomplishment, it is not really that surprising. He’s just that good.
Teaming up with Lewis to make The VS EP was probably the one of the smartest thing Macklemore ever did for his music. Lewis’ emotional instrumental and unique samples (using everything from Arcade Fire to Red Hot Chili Peppers to Beirut) are the perfect accompaniment to Macklemore’s profound lyrics. Macklemore’s signature confessional and soul-searching raps without the braggadocio of other rappers is what sets him apart from his peers. On the heart-wrenching track “Otherside”, he details his struggles with substance abuse. The deeply moving song touches a nerve and not only speaks to the rapper’s own personal experience but also to the affects that drugs have on the greater hip-hop community. His lyrics have more content and substance than most rhymes being written by his contemporaries.
Earlier this week Macklemore and Ryan Lewis headed out on their first national headlining tour. Macklemore’s and Ryan Lewis’ sold-out run at the Showbox starts tonight, continues on Sunday, and comes to an end on Saturday, March 5.
Opening Friday, February 25 are Grieves with Budo, The Physics, and Sol. On Sunday, February 27 are Fresh Espresso, Helladope, and Canary. And on Saturday, March 5 is Blueprint.
