Macklemore & Lewis

'Same Love', 'Equality' and 'Injustice'.

Macklemore and Ryan Lewis must have a bullseye over it's head, with their 'Same Love' marriage ceremony performance at The Grammys had everyone in an uproar.  The damnation was allowing Madonna to perform but I digress.   If the argument is love and equality, isn't the best medium to present such an act; shouldnt the vehicle be music, arts, entertainment?   Music is suppose to cross color lines and boundaries.  We are all looking for something, and yes everything isnt for everyone.  The conversation piece is to broaden a social consciousness

The group seems to have been bombarded with negative press for the last few months for dominating a movement (Hip Hop) winning big at the American Music Awards and recently at The Grammys.  Understand its the machine that makes things happen 'not' the artist.  Their color is the argument, but however you spin it, their art and love for Hip Hop is real. Racism has existed within the Industry long before this duo got their start.  Back in the day, the Grammys were about pestige, statue, talent, acclaim, music theory and the talent showed up. Today NARAS(Grammy) merely wants to compete with the AMA's for ratings, so the establishment/machine feel its better dollars to award caucasians in an african american dominated field, also its a direct slap in the face.  The question and frustrations should not fall on the duo.  It starts with how we are represented and what 'we' allow.  

Talented artist every year release music for their craft, for their blood, guts, sweat and  tears.  Some are never recognized.  Yes we can sit and play the unfair woe is me card, because it's relevant or we can rebuke the machine.  That conversation has to start with the Beyonce's, Kanye's, Outkasts, Ushers, Pharrells, Chris Brown's, Alicia Keys and The Drake's, the artist who 'the establishment' have allowed to break through the door, who have knocked down the barriers.  Unfortunately that conversation wont happen, because for one reason or another those artists are afraid to rattle the machine, thinking the issue doesn't apply to them.  

So to fault Macklemore and Lewis is pointing the finger in the wrong direction. Each time those two gentleman have accepted their awards, the pair has always acknowledged whats unfair and unjust, in this industry, they defend the Jay Z's, Kendrick Lamar's.  Yes Kendricks loss was a travesty, but It does not lessen his talent.  (Im sure his focus wasn't to leave Compton,to make music, so he could win Grammys).  When the pair won in the Hip Hop category at the AMA's they addressed the unfairness, and hatred, about the senseless killing, of Trayvon Martin losing his life, and how absurd it was that George Zimmerman got off.  Notice everyone watched that verdict. Interestingly enough, not too many high profile caucasians expressed their dismay.   Macklemore/Lewis weren't concerned about political correctness.  In my opinion thats taking a stand, and getting the conversation started.  They could have given some syrupy acceptance speech, but they took the socially challenged road, which few seldom do.  When the duo won their Hip Hop award immediately they acknowledged Lamar, thats class in my eyes.

In closing, I think Macklemore and Ryan Lewis can school the Justin Timberlake's and Robin Thicke's of the world who rock their 'black' card when it suits their 'need' and 'not' their movement.