logo
episode-header-image
Aug 2023
1h 6m

Macklemore: Why He Never Signed to a Lab...

Guy Raz | Wondery
About this episode

The rapper Macklemore and his collaborator Ryan Lewis had their first two singles go straight to number one (Thrift Shop and Can't Hold Us). Even more amazing, they did it without being signed to a major label. Macklemore joined Guy in 2023 to discuss why they stayed independent, his battle with addiction, why he feels indebted to the originators of hip-hop, and how to make music that means something.

Macklemore's new album BEN came out March 3rd and can be ordered here.

Links from the show:

Video for "Otherside"

Video for "Thrift Shop"

Video for "Can't Hold Us"

Video for "Glorious"

Short Doc from tour with Imagine Dragons

Video for "Maniac"

Video for "Faithful"

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Up next
Oct 2024
Lin-Manuel Miranda on "The Idea That Wouldn't Leave Him Alone" (with 'Warriors' Co-Writer Eisa Davis)
Lin-Manuel Miranda (‘Hamilton’, ‘In The Heights’) and Eisa Davis (‘Angela’s Mixtape’, ‘Bullrusher’) are writers, performers, and collaborators who are revolutionizing hip-hop theater.In this episode, Lin and Eisa join Guy to discuss their latest creative project, ‘Warriors’, a co ... Show More
49m 51s
Dec 2024
Sylvan Esso: Their Songwriting Routines, “Hey Mami”, the Durham Scene, and Creative Surprises
Ten years ago, Nick Sanborn & Amelia Meath (Sylvan Esso) exploded onto the indie music scene with their unique electro-pop sound and mysterious aura.Since then, they’ve played some of the biggest stages in the world and have even created their own record label in their adopted ho ... Show More
39m 55s
Dec 2024
Ron Howard: Reinventing Himself After Child Fame, Henry Fonda’s Advice, and His New Sydney Sweeney Film 'Eden'
Ron Howard, the Oscar-winning director behind films like 'Apollo 13' and 'A Beautiful Mind,' sits down with Guy to discuss his remarkable journey from child actor to Hollywood heavyweight. Ron’s latest documentary – “Jim Henson: Idea Man” – about the creator of the Muppets, is av ... Show More
1h 1m
Recommended Episodes
Jan 2016
Episode 212 Side B: Rihanna's New Single & Macklemore's "White Privilege II"
Armond & Doc continue on this week by talking about Rihanna's new single "Work" w/ Drake (and the rest of her bizarre album roll out) before going in-depth on Macklemore's "White Privilege II". Plus Doc struggles to explain his issues w/ Macklemore, what will 'Views From The 6' s ... Show More
42m 27s
May 2023
Macklemore: How I Destroyed My Addiction & Overcame My Darkest Times
In this new episode Steven sits down with the American rapper and songwriter Macklemore.Ben Haggerty adopted the stage name of Macklemore when he began rapping at the age of 14, at the same time he was beginning his struggle with substance abuse. Ben released his debut album, ‘Th ... Show More
1h 21m
Aug 2021
E286 Trippie Redd Smokes Us Out
Billboard’s hit rap artist, Trippie Redd, joins the boys to discuss his new album “Tripp At Knight,” the greatest rapper of all time, hidden talents, his passion for anime, the likelihood of entering the boxing ring 🥊 , inspiration behind hit songs like “Topanga” & “Miss The Rag ... Show More
1h 9m
Apr 2021
Macklemore
Macklemore is Grammy Award-winning rapper and songwriter. Macklemore joins the Armchair Expert to talk about growing up in a progressive neighborhood in Seattle, falling in love with music when he heard the Beverly Hills Cops soundtrack, and why he chose East Coast Rap over West ... Show More
1h 43m
Jun 2024
Kendrick Lamar and Drake | 51
This is the rap feud you’ll be telling your grandkids about - two of the biggest names in hip hop going up against each other with diss track after diss track after diss track. West Coast versus…Canada. Pulitzer Prize vs…Degrassi. Double, triple, and quintuple entendres. So many ... Show More
43m 44s
Dec 2021
Drake & the Grammys Aren't in God's Plan
Is Drake way 2 sexy for awards? In a surprise move, the rap superstar withdrew his nominations from the 2022 Grammys yesterday. The reason? Drizzy’s not saying. And that’s left fans hanging – and speculating why. We know for years Drake has targeted the music industry’s biggest a ... Show More
9m 12s
Sep 2017
Macklemore Interview and More
Tuesday 9/19 - Today on the show we had Macklemore come by where he spoke about his new album, speaking out on politics and more. Also Charlamagne gave "Donkey of the Day" to Chanel West Coast because she she tried convincing a producer on the show "Love and Hip Hop" to work with ... Show More
1h 8m
Aug 2023
Fetch Me My Fit with Aminé
On this week’s interview with rapper Aminé did we just become best friends?! Aminé came through to spit bars on people pronouncing his name wrong then immediately asking for a favor, getting arrested in Mexico while tripping balls, how to fire your assistant, his upcoming New Bal ... Show More
1h 56m
Jan 2020
Episode 349 Side A: 2020 Grammys + New Albums from Eminem, Dreamville, & Mac Miller
Armond & Doc return to talk about the 2020 Grammys - performances, what surprised them vs. what didn't surprise them, & more, plus some conversation about new albums from Eminem, Dreamville, & Mac Miller.  Oh, and Doc learns what Alicia Keys' tea line is called 🤦‍♂️ and Armond l ... Show More
1h 6m