Macklemore & Ryan Lewis Name-Check Iggy Azalea, Miley Cyrus & Elvis In “White Privilege II”: Listen

Robbie Daw | January 22, 2016 10:17 am
Shots Fired At Macklemore By Iggy Azalea
Iggy responds to being called out in Macklemore's "White Privilege II."

There is a lot of ground covered in Macklemore & Ryan Lewis‘ new track “White Privilege II,” the sequel to Macklemore’s 2005 solo cut “White Privilege.” The Seattle rapper ponders the Black Lives Matter movement and cultural appropriation in general here, wanting to take a stance but unsure of the best way to proceed in a world where he’s a white and maligned Grammy-winning rapper operating within the “pop bullshit” landscape while technically an indie artist.

During one moment in the nearly nine minute song, which contains many samples of victims of racial injustice along with critics the MC, Macklemore muses, “You’ve exploited and stolen the music, the moment, the magic, the passion, the fashion, you toy with / The culture was never yours to make better / You’re Miley, you’re Elvis, you’re Iggy Azalea.”

He then continues with the self-deprecation: “You’re brand of hip hop is so fascist and backwards that Grandmaster Flash is gonna slap you, you bastard.”

If it’s the corner he’s found himself painted in, Macklemore isn’t shy about talking about it here.

Macklemore & Ryan Lewis’ album This Unruly Mess I’ve Made is due out February 26.

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