Macklemore | |
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 Macklemore in 2022 | |
| Born | Benjamin Hammond Haggerty (1983-06-19)June 19, 1983 (age 42) Seattle, Washington, U.S. |
| Other names | Professor Macklemore |
| Education | College of Santa Fe Evergreen State College (BA) |
| Occupations |
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| Years active | 2000–present |
| Height | 5 ft 10 in (178 cm) |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 3 |
| Awards | Full list |
| Musical career | |
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| Member of | Macklemore & Ryan Lewis |
Musical artist | |
| Website | macklemore |
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Benjamin Hammond Haggerty[2] (born June 19, 1983), better known by hisstage nameMacklemore (/ˈmækləmɔːr/MAK-lə-mor;[3][4] formerlyProfessor Macklemore), is an American rapper. A native ofSeattle, Washington, he started his career in 2000 as an independent artist releasing:Open Your Eyes (2000),The Language of My World (2005), andThe Unplanned Mixtape (2009). He rose to international success collaborating with producerRyan Lewis as the duoMacklemore & Ryan Lewis (2009–2016).
Macklemore's and Lewis's single "Thrift Shop" (featuringWanz) reached number one on the U.S.Billboard Hot 100 in 2013.[5] The single was dubbed byBillboard as the first song since 1994 to top the Hot 100 chart without the support of a major record label; however, Macklemore, in a slightly unusualrecording contract, pays a nominal percentage of sales to useWarner Bros. Records's radio promotion department to push his singles.[6][7] Their second single, "Can't Hold Us", also peaked at number one on the Hot 100 chart, making Macklemore and Lewis the first duo in the chart's history to have their first two singles both reach the peak position.[8] Their debut studio albumThe Heist was released on October 9, 2012, and charted at number 2 on theU.S.Billboard 200. The duo won fourGrammy Awards at the2014 ceremony, includingBest New Artist,Best Rap Album (The Heist),Best Rap Song andBest Rap Performance ("Thrift Shop"). The pair's second album,This Unruly Mess I've Made, was released on February 26, 2016.
In June 2017, Macklemore released "Glorious", a single featuringSkylar Grey, which marked his return to the music industry as well as his first major single produced without Lewis since his mainstream breakthrough. Macklemore released a second solo studio album,Gemini, in September of that year. On February 24, 2023, he released a follow-up album entitledBen.
Benjamin Hammond Haggerty was born inSeattle, Washington, on June 19, 1983, one of two sons born to Bill Haggerty and Julie Schott. He was raised with his brother Tim in Seattle'sCapitol Hill neighborhood.[9][10] He hasIrish heritage and was raisedCatholic.[11][12] Haggerty was six years old whenhip hop first came into his life by way ofDigital Underground.[13][14] At the age of 15, he began to write lyrics.[13][14]
At the time he started to sing, Haggerty listened to "a lot ofEast Coast underground hip hop", listingHieroglyphics,Freestyle Fellowship,Aceyalone,Living Legends,Wu-Tang Clan,Mobb Deep,Nas, andTalib Kweli as his major influences.[15][16] Haggerty attendedGarfield High School andNathan Hale High School. At Hale, he developed the stage name "Professor Macklemore" for an art project involving a made-up superhero,[17] and at Garfield, he started a hip-hop group named Elevated Elements with other students. The group released an album,Progress, in 2000.[18]
Haggerty enrolled at theCollege of Santa Fe for a year, later saying in an interview that "[i]t was a very pivotal time in a lot of ways.Santa Fe was the place where I got good at rapping".[19] After not getting into the music program, he moved back to Seattle.[10] Haggerty later enrolled atEvergreen State College in Olympia and completed his bachelor's degree in 2009.[20] While at Evergreen, he was interested in reaching a younger generation through his music. He became part of a program focusing on education and cultural identity called "Gateways for Incarcerated Youth", where he facilitated music workshops.[21]
In 2000, Haggerty recorded a mixtape titledOpen Your Eyes under the name Professor Macklemore, which he distributed himself and released on October 21, 2000.[22] Haggerty dropped "Professor" from his name and began working on his first official full-length album, calledThe Language of My World. The album was released on January 1, 2005, with its lead single, "Love Song", being announced the same day. "Love Song" featured singer Evan Roman, and was produced by Budo, who would later go on to produce several more tracks for Macklemore.
In 2006, Haggerty first met his future collaboratorRyan Lewis.[23] Lewis, who would go on to release two albums with Haggerty asMacklemore & Ryan Lewis, spent a few years working on Macklemore's promotion as a photographer. The two musicians would soon become good friends but would not formalize their collaborative efforts until 2009.[15] In the meantime, Macklemore kept busy as a solo artist, appearing onThe Physics's song "Good" in 2009,[24] as well as performing at the Seattle major arts and music festivalBumbershoot in 2006, 2009, and 2011.[25]
Macklemore's second mixtape,The Unplanned Mixtape, was released on September 7, 2009. It would later reach No. 7 on theiTunes Hip Hop chart. Themixtape was accompanied by the singles "The Town" and "And We Danced", the latter of which featured singer Ziggy Stardust. "The Town" was later remixed by Sabzi of theBlue Scholars.[26][27]
In 2009, Macklemore andRyan Lewis formalized the collaboration as a duoMacklemore & Ryan Lewis. They released the EPThe VS. EP. They also released "Irish Celebration" in December 2009 in anticipation of the release ofThe Vs. EP.[28] In March 2010, the duo released "Stay At Home Dad", a track that "didn't quite make"Vs.[29] In October 2010, they created theVS. Redux EP. Macklemore used his experience with substance abuse to create the mixtape's song "Otherside", which samples theRed Hot Chili Peppers song of thesame title.[30][31][32] On April 8, 2011, Macklemore and Ryan Lewis performed the song at the 2011 Mariners Opening Day in-front of a sold-out crowd of nearly 48,000 attendees.[33][34][35] "Wings" was released on January 21, 2011, followed by "Can't Hold Us" featuringRay Dalton on August 16, 2011. In February 2011, Macklemore and producer Ryan Lewis kicked off a multi-city tour in Seattle, which included three sold-out shows at theShowbox at the Market music venue.[36] That same year, the rapper appeared at many U.S. music festivals, includingBumbershoot,Outside Lands,Lollapalooza,Rock the Bells,Soundset,Sasquatch, andBonnaroo.
Their albumThe Heist was released in October 2012 and debuted on the U.S.Billboard 200 at number 2 of the week dated October 27, 2012, selling over 78,000 copies. "Same Love" was released on July 18, 2012, and after "White Walls". In January 2013,Music Choice featured Macklemore in the brand new series "Primed", which focuses on emerging artists. In May 2013, Haggerty was featured onClinton Sparks's single "Gold Rush", along with2 Chainz and D.A.[37] The Heist World Tour began in August 2012 to promoteThe Heist.[38]
In May 2014, Macklemore was accused ofantisemitism after wearing a costume resembling acommon Jewish caricature during a private concert inSeattle, Washington.[39] The rapper released an apology and stated his intention was to disguise himself, not to impersonate any ‘type’ of person.[40]
In January 2015, Macklemore announced via Twitter that his third studio album would be released sometime in the second half of that year.[41] Despite this, the album was not released until February 26, 2016. On August 5, 2015, Macklemore released a song for free download titled "Growing Up (Sloane's Song)", which featuresEd Sheeran.[42] On August 27, 2015, he released a new song called "Downtown" which featuresFoxy Shazam vocalist Eric Nally,Kool Moe Dee,Melle Mel, andGrandmaster Caz, which he performed at the2015 MTV Video Music Awards on August 30.[43] On his first tour in two years, An Evening with Macklemore and Ryan Lewis, Macklemore announced that his new album was finished and ready for release.
On January 15, 2016, Macklemore released a teaser video on hisYouTube channel revealing the name of his third studio album,This Unruly Mess I've Made, and announcing that it was scheduled to be released on February 26, 2016. On January 22, 2016, the duo released "White Privilege II", the second single onThis Unruly Mess I've Made. On February 26, 2016, Macklemore and Ryan Lewis released the albumThis Unruly Mess I've Made.[44] Also in 2016, Macklemore released two solo singles, "Drug Dealer" and "Wednesday Morning".[45][46] "Drug Dealer" features Macklemore rapping about his previous addictions and is featured in a documentary that includes clips of Macklemore discussing drug abuse with PresidentBarack Obama. "Wednesday Morning" was released after the2016 U.S. Election and features Macklemore rapping about the political future of the country. The tracks were produced byBudo. On June 15, 2017, Macklemore announced via his officialInstagram that the duo were on hiatus.[47][48]
On June 15, 2017, Macklemore released "Glorious", featuring American singerSkylar Grey, as the lead single from Macklemore's second solo studio albumGemini.[49] On July 26, 2017, Macklemore released "Marmalade", featuring American rapperLil Yachty, as the second single from Macklemore's upcoming album. "Good Old Days", a collaboration withKesha, was released as a single on October 9, 2017. Macklemore releasedGemini on September 22. The album was produced by longtime collaborator Budo.[citation needed] On October 1, Macklemore performed "Same Love" in a set at the opening ofthe Grand Final of theNational Rugby League inSydney, Australia — something that was considered by some to be controversial in the middle of anational survey on same sex marriage.[50] Macklemore stated that it was one of his best performances due to the circumstances and thanked the fans in Sydney for the reception that he received throughout. On December 11, 2017, Macklemore announced an upcoming co-headlining tour with Kesha titledThe Adventures of Kesha and Macklemore.[51][52] This was Macklemore's fifth headlining tour, promoting his albumGemini and Kesha's sixth headlining tour, promoting her third solo albumRainbow (2017).[53] The tour began in Phoenix on June 6, 2018, and concluded in Tampa on August 5, 2018.[citation needed]
On October 29, 2021, Macklemore released a new single titled "Next Year", featuring American singerWindser. Macklemore also worked with Ryan Lewis on the single, marking their first collaboration in three years.[54]
On July 22, 2022, Macklemore released a new single, "Chant", with Australian musicianTones and I.[55] On August 19, 2022, Macklemore released the single, "Maniac", featuring American musician Windser.[56] The third single, "Faithful", featuringNLE Choppa, was released on October 28, 2022. The fourth single, "Heroes", featuringDJ Premier, was released on January 20, 2023. Macklemore's third solo studio album,Ben, was released on March 3, 2023.[57] In May 2024, he released "Hind's Hall", aprotest song in support of the2024 pro-Palestinian protests on university campuses, with all proceeds donated towardsUNRWA.[58]
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Macklemore became engaged to his girlfriend of seven years, Tricia Davis, on January 21, 2013.[59] On January 3, 2015, he announced on Twitter that he and Davis were expecting their first child that May.[60] After the release of "Growing Up (Sloane's Song)", which featured English singer-songwriterEd Sheeran, the couple announced that their daughter, Sloane Ava Simone Haggerty,[61] had been born on May 29.[62] Following the birth of Sloane, they married on June 27, 2015.[63] In September 2017, the couple announced that they were expecting their second child.[64] On April 3, 2018, Macklemore announced during a performance at the3Arena that Davis had given birth to their second daughter. He did not tell the crowd her name. In 2021, they had their third child, Hugo.[65]
In 2017, Macklemore's grandmother, Helen Schott, celebrated her100th birthday, with the two traveling aroundModesto, California for the music video of his song "Glorious."[66]
In August 2008, Macklemore admitted himself intodrug rehabilitation fordrug addiction andalcoholism,[67][68] and celebrated three years of sobriety before a brief relapse in 2011, which he describes in his song "Starting Over".[69] He said in a 2012 documentary that he spent most of his twenties trying to combat his addictions and destructive way of life:
I want to be someone who is respected and not just in terms of my music. I want to be respected in terms of the way that I treat people... Music is my creative outlet in terms of expressing what is important to me; what has importance, what has a value. And I want to be respected for that.[23]
On May 14, 2016, Macklemore appeared in U.S. PresidentBarack Obama's weekly address to talk about the dangers ofaddiction to opioids and prescriptionpainkillers.[70] Macklemore talked about his own experiences with abuse of painkillers, stating "When you're going through it, it's hard to imagine anything being worse than addiction. But the shame and stigma associated with the disease keeps too many people from seeking the help they actually need. Addiction isn't a personal choice or a personal failure."[71][72]
On September 29, 2018, Macklemore headlined Recovery Fest inPawtucket, Rhode Island.[73] Recovery Fest was formed to have a drug- and alcohol-free concert and support charities that worked in combating opioid addiction.[74]
In the summer of 2020, during and in part due to the social isolation that took place during theCOVID-19 lockdowns, Macklemore relapsed and suffered a near-fatal overdose. He was hospitalized and given treatment; he eventually recovered from the episode. This experience, as well as the ongoing challenge of overcoming addiction while also raising children, served as an inspiration for much of the lyrical content that makes up his third solo studio album,Ben.[75][76]
Macklemore voiced his support ofLGBT rights and same-sex marriage in the song "Same Love" released in 2012, which also condemnshomophobia in mainstream hip-hop, society, and mass media.[77]
Macklemore is an outspoken critic ofDonald Trump.[78] In July 2016, he was featured on "Pt. 2" remix ofYG's "FDT (Fuck Donald Trump)" alongsideG-Eazy.[79][80] In January 2021, after thepresidential inauguration ofJoe Biden, he released "Trump's Over Freestyle".[78] Macklemore attended the2017 Women’s March on Washington.[81][82]
On May 16, 2019, Macklemore received the Stevie Ray Vaughan Award fromMusiCares, in recognition of his support of MusiCares and the addiction recovery process.[83]
Macklemore is a supporter ofPalestinian nationalism.[84] On October 30, 2023, during theGaza war, he signed an open letter calling for a ceasefire and an end toIsrael'sblockade of the Gaza Strip.[85] In November 2023, while giving a speech at a pro-Palestinian rally in Washington, D.C., he accused Israel ofcommitting genocide against Palestinians.[86][87] In May 2024, he released "Hind's Hall", aprotest song in support of the2024 pro-Palestinian protests on university campuses, with all proceeds donated towardsUNRWA.[58]
In August 2024, Macklemore cancelled his show scheduled to take place in October that year inDubai, citing the United Arab Emirates' involvement "in the ongoing genocide and humanitarian crisis" inSudan. He said he will not perform in the country until it "stops arming and funding theRSF". He also mentioned having no judgement of the artists continuing to perform in the Emirates.[88]
At a pro-Palestinian rally in September 2024, Macklemore exclaimed "fuck America", causing widespread controversy, including being dropped from the Neon City Festival in Las Vegas.[89][90][91] TheSeattle Mariners,Seattle Kraken, andSeattle Sounders FC all condemned his statements and stated that they would review any further involvement from Macklemore.[92] He later apologized for the incident, saying "My thoughts and feelings are not always expressed perfectly or politely," and that at times he "slips up and gets caught in a moment."[93]
Macklemore joined withWatermelon Pictures andBreakThrough News to produceThe Encampments, a documentary film about theGaza Solidarity Encampment atColumbia University. The film features interviews with prominent protestors includingMahmoud Khalil.[94][95]The Encampments premiered atCPH:DOX on March 25, 2025.[94][96]
Macklemore is a fan of theSeattle Seahawks. He created a12th man promotional video and performed at the2014 NFC Championship Game. He remains a fan of the now-relocatedSeattle SuperSonics.[97][98][99] In August 2019, Macklemore joined the ownership group ofSeattle Sounders FC, the localMajor League Soccer club.[100]
He is a fan of theSeattle Kraken of theNational Hockey League; on April 18, 2022, the Kraken announced that Macklemore had joined its ownership group.[101]
Macklemore has an eclectic taste in art, including outlandish garments spouting sequins, fringe and feathers, akitschy velvet painting of abald eagle, an oil painting ofDrake dancing and aDan Lacey painting of a nudeJustin Bieber.[102][103][104]
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | Mac Miller and the Most Dope Family | Himself | Guest appearance (Season 1, Episode 2)[105] |
| 2014 | Under the Gunn | Himself / Guest Judge | Episode: "Trouble in the Lounge" |
| 2019 | Songland | Episode: "Macklemore" | |
| 2020 | Scooby-Doo and Guess Who? | Himself | Episode: "The 7th Innings Scare!" |
| 2020 | Dave | Episode: "Dave's First" |
Mack-La-More is how it's pronounced. Should have picked an easier name to say.
New Mexico has a special place in my heart," he says. "I went to the College of Santa Fe for a year, spent a lot of time between Santa Fe and Albuquerque. It was a very pivotal time in a lot of ways. Santa Fe was the place where I got good at rapping; just being in my dorm room, not going to many classes and really focusing on my craft. That's when I felt I was starting to make music that was different than just being in high school and rapping, when I was like 'I really like this, I wanna listen to this.' It's awesome, Santa Fe is the place where I got my fake I.D. taken back in the day, so there's a lot of love for that place and I always love coming back to New Mexico.
there was even bigger cheers for "Same Love", a heartfelt rap about same-sex marriage. When Haggerty prefaced "Starting Over" with a confession that he has been sober since 2008, the Empire went wild.
Macklemore, who's never been shy about mixing business with politics (we last saw him in the District at the official Women's March on Washington)
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