macklemore

Updated

Macklemore (born Benjamin Hammond Haggerty on June 19, 1983) is an American rapper from Seattle, Washington.

Career Highlights

  • Early Career: He began his career as an independent artist in 2000 under the name Professor Macklemore.
  • Macklemore & Ryan Lewis: He rose to international fame through his partnership with producer Ryan Lewis. The duo released the platinum-certified album The Heist (2012), which featured hit singles like "Thrift Shop" and "Can't Hold Us". At the 56th Annual Grammy Awards in 2014, they won four awards, including Best New Artist and Best Rap Album.
  • Solo Career: After his collaboration with Lewis, Macklemore continued his success as a solo artist with albums such as Gemini (2017) and Ben (2023).

Notable Work & Advocacy

  • Music: Known for introspective and socially conscious lyrics, his work often touches on themes like addiction recovery, cultural observations, and personal growth.
  • Recent Activity: In May 2024, he released the protest song "Hind's Hall" in support of pro-Palestinian university campus protests.
  • Controversy: As of September 2026, Macklemore was removed from the remainder of the U.S. leg of Ed Sheeran’s "Loop" tour following his vocal on-stage support for "Free Palestine" during performances at MetLife Stadium.