“It’s these sort of astute observations on the human condition and keen
self-awareness that set this effort apart. That reality, coupled with Ryan
Lewis’ vast, daring and layered production, makes The Heist a truly beautiful
album that challenges musical boundaries.” – XXL
Seattle duo Macklemore & Ryan Lewis hold a singular place in both the
Pacific Northwest and beyond, emerging as a premier national hip-hop group with
numerous career highlights to their name. A genuine lyricist and an
electrifying live performer, Macklemore, with his producer Ryan Lewis, have
garnered critical acclaim and a devoted fan base.
The Heist features the hit single, ‘Thrift Shop’, which has reached #1 on
the New Zealand iTunes chart, #1 on the NZ Top 40 single chart, top 20 on the
New Zealand airplay chart and is Platinum. The accompanying video has been
viewed more than 24 million times on YouTube.
Growing up on Capitol Hill in Seattle, Washington, Macklemore attended
Garfield and Nathan Hale High Schools, and went on to earn a
bachelor’s degree at The Evergreen State College. Interested in reaching a
younger generation through his music, he took a job at a juvenile-detention
facility. There, he was a part of a program called “Gateways,” which was
organized around rap. Macklemore recorded an EP titled Open Your Eyes in
2000 under the name Professor Macklemore, which he distributed himself.