Hip-Hop, Review, Videos | Reflecting on Macklemore & Ryan Lewis’ “The Heist” [Review & Documentary]

Posted by on October 25, 2012

[do action=”youtube” videoid=”JErUzr8GSvU”/]

First off, thank you to Jabari Presents for this fantastic production.

By now, many of you have hopefully scraped the wax out of your ears and christened your drums to the incredible art featured on Macklemore and Ryan Lewis’ debut LP, The Heist. Yes it reached the #2 spot on Billboard, yes it sold 78,000+ units in week one, and yes the duo accomplished this all independently, but that is not why this project is so special to me and so many others. Mack and Ryan are still the kids you used to play neighborhood ball with. They’re still the guys who will shake your hand or take a picture with any fan on the street. They’re still representing authenticity for the people.

“The Heist” will be in consideration for the album of the year come December, that’s without question. What may fly under the radar is the amount of blood, sweat, tears, and man hours that went into this project by both Mack and Ryan. Lacking anything but determination and perseverance, this documentary shines light on what it means to be an independent artist working at such an eminent level. There are no handouts, no pampering, no CEO black cards. Loyalty, love, determination, resilience and passion for the art is the driver. If you are unable to see the transparency in their music, this album may not hold the same weight, but there is enough versatility on the project that you should still be able to connect with one or two records. On a final note, Macklemore and Ryan Lewis will forever hold my respect. Although I’ve never met them personally, their music is honest, open and genuine enough to lead me to believe otherwise.

Below I’ve listed some of my personal highlights if you haven’t listened to the album and need a starting point. I’d love to hear your thoughts on the album, positive or negative, so please sound off in the comments section.

Most Creative Beat: “Thrift Shop”

READ ON >>

Electro, Hip-Hop | Timbaland ft Pitbull, David G – Pass At Me

Posted by on August 3, 2011

First caught a glimpse of this track in the NSFW video for the new photo book Culo By Mazzucco and Interscope exec Jimmy Iovine, which asserts that

the bottom (or culo in Italian) is the new epicenter of female sexuality, desire, and empowerment

DOWNLOAD: Timbaland ft Pitbull, David G – Pass At Me