r/IAmA • u/MacklemoreRyanLewis • Oct 09 '12
Macklemore and Ryan Lewis: Ask Us Anything!
This is Macklemore (rapper) and Ryan Lewis (producer). Our debut full-length album The Heist is dropping on iTunes at 9 PM West Coast! We got asked by fans to do an AMA and so here we are, ready to answer any questions you have. Lets talk!
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u/seanxfitz Oct 09 '12
More for Ryan Lewis: What gear do you guys use in the studio? What does your vocal chain look like these days? Do you mix/master everything or do you hire someone else?
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u/MacklemoreRyanLewis Oct 09 '12
NERD ALERT (yayyy)
My studio is not that big. When we get back from January I'm going to really nerd out and work on building a newer bigger version of what I have.
My vocal chain looks as so:
Neumann u87 > Neve 5032 Portico > SSL Alphalink AX > Pro Tools 9. Then in the mixing process on the hardware side I use an API 2500 Stereo Bus Compressor and a Tube Tech CL-1B. I also have 2 distressors and a Universal Audio LA-610.
I use Adam A7X monitors. I have a Presonus Central Station. I'm obviously on a Mac. Plug-ins wise I use WAVES, Native Instruments Komplete Bundle, SoundToys and a whole bunch of other shit.
If you have no money and wanna make unique sounding shit, my biggest secret is Guitar Rig :) Go get that.
I mix absolutely everything. I've tried hiring out other people, but mixing is one of the most subjective things in the world. I think I spent a few years mixing decent sounding records that weren't crazy in order to get to a point where you're matching/competing with industry sounding records on your own, with limited tools. Mixing's hard, and it takes FOREVER. If I ever tweet "still at the studio, shoot me in the face" - I'm probably mixing.
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u/NeroStrike Oct 09 '12
How'd you get your start in music production? Any in classroom training or was all of it learned on the job?
What resource would you recommend to someone who wants to learn?
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u/ownagebyte Oct 09 '12
I've been wanting to purchase the Neumann u87, bit been finding it hard to fork out that amount for that mic. Do you feel it's been the best mic you've used?
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u/polar_bear_cub_scout Oct 09 '12
Gotta love that U-87. Do you do all the mixing at your studio, or go to another studio just to mix, if so which one?
Also what monitors do you use?
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u/itzadub Oct 09 '12
How was the name "Shark Face Gang" created?
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u/MacklemoreRyanLewis Oct 09 '12
Macklemore:
It was cold, dark and stormy afternoon in the middle of California sometime in 2010. Our tour van was cruising down the freeway at roughly 70 mph and I had the idea…This shit would be a lot less depressing if we had a gang. BAM! That was the magic moment.
Let me back track. I’ve always loved sharks. Great White Sharks in particular, but really all sharks. Tiger sharks, Hammer Deads, Dolphins. All that shit. Probably my favorite animal that hangs out in water.
So there it was. I wanted our music to have an animal. Something the people could represent. That defined our sound and the people that supported it. BIG bold letter lit up in my head and spelled out SHARK FACE GANG. I tweeted it.
Next thing you know there were kids coming to the shows with homemade #SHARKFACEGANG t-shirts. That’s what made it official. The fans really solidified it.
We have no choice but to represent this till the death.
sharkfacegang
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u/BobBoberts Oct 09 '12
It was cold, dark and stormy afternoon in the middle of California sometime in 2010.
damn that's a cold ass honkey
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Oct 09 '12
This makes your line in Cant Hold Us make so much more sense.
For those who don't know: "And I’m eating at the beat like you gave a little speed to a great white shark on shark week"
I just want to say thank you for making "rap" music that is meaningful and isn't about big booty bitches and other not important things.
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Oct 09 '12
I was hoping it was in relation to this Shark Gang. That works for me too though. Keep up the great music, you've been in my headphones strolling through the Hill many a time.
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u/haydo888 Oct 09 '12
I was there at the first show the day after it started! Those kids who made the tshirts were chill. shitty cellphone picture
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u/glaciator Oct 09 '12
I don't understand it, either, friend.
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Oct 09 '12 edited Sep 05 '25
innocent important ancient wrench physical library amusing reply bedroom sand
This post was mass deleted and anonymized with Redact
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u/xILOVEBLUMPKINSx Oct 09 '12
First of all, thank you for doing this, you are one of my favorite artists of all time and I'm very excited for your new album coming out tomorrow! Okay, who was your inspiration to get into the music industry? Were you into music as a kid? Were you an outcast? How did you meet Ryan Lewis? Ryan, what got you into producing? Who's your favorite artist? Sorry for so many, if you could answer any of them it would be much appreciated, thanks, and keep being awesome!
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u/Semen-Thrower Oct 09 '12 edited Oct 09 '12
Hey guys! Just wanna say that I CAN'T WAIT for The Heist! A few questions:
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To Macklemore: When did you decide to pursue music as your primary career? You have said that you've suffered from substance abuse, how did you fight it?
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To Ryan Lewis: Do you come up with the background tunes all by yourself? Which one is written first, the music or the rap?
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To both: WILL YOU SIGN MY PENIS
You guys create one of the few well-known rappers out there who don't discriminate and don't brag about how much money he has. All my respect is to you guys.
EDIT: By the way, here's proof
OH, I sent this an hour ago, got no response, but I actually guessed and messaged the right account. Today is a good day
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u/burnzkid Oct 09 '12
Most of the time, there is an obvious inspiration or message for many of your songs like "Otherside" and "Wings", but where the fuck did "Thrift Shop" and "And We Danced?" come from?
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u/MacklemoreRyanLewis Oct 09 '12
Ryan -- Both Ben and I love party music and mood music. Thrift Shop and And We Danced I think serve equal but different purposes as a Wings or Otherside. They make you feel good. Make you wanna dance and quit caring about what people think (of your lack of dancing skills) or go pop tags off a $2.99 button-up. These are things we also love about life :)
Plus I don't like just making intense or slow beats. I actually love making up tempo shit too. I love pop, I love hard beats. I think if producing with Ben didn't allow me to try a whole bunch of different shit as a producer it wouldn't be quite as fulfilling of a career. We do what we want lol
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u/tgibson28 Oct 09 '12
I think that "Thrift shop" has much more meaning than burnzkid thinks. After I heard that song i went to st. vincent de pauls and bought a new hoodie. A month later I've bought a bunch more from thift shops and I've stopped paying $90 for nike jackets. That song actually had a big impact on my life. Thanks macklemore.
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u/RideBmx11 Oct 09 '12
And we danced was one of the songs on one of two cds I had when i drove 13 hours to minnesota haha. A couple other of your songs too. Good shit to listen to
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u/Phlecks Oct 09 '12
Glad you answered this, this was my question. Can I just get a virtual fist bump then?
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u/wilkings Oct 09 '12
I find it impossible to believe that you guys haven't had numerous offers from major record labels - if you have, which ones sent you offers and why did you turn them down? Did Rhymesayers ever approach you? Also shoutout for the irish pride, my buddy and I were repping a huge irish flag in the audience at your toronto show at MOD Club last year
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u/MacklemoreRyanLewis Oct 09 '12
Ryan: All the majors hit us up. We took some meetings, some were just phone calls with our manager that didn't really lead to anything sensible for us. Rhymesayers is absolutely awesome and family, but not the route we wanted to go. We definitely saw everything that was out there and realized that we wanted to stay exactly how we were, and just work ALL THE TIME haha. Our team has grown and we just stepped up to the plate to attempt to deliver something at the level that a major would, without em: The Heist.
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u/EndersBuggers Oct 09 '12
In the words of some really wise guy I once heard, make the money don't let the money make you.
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u/djphantom Oct 09 '12
This gives me so much hope for independent hip hop! You guys are fucking awesome and I hope to be able to see you guys live sometime. Mad props on The Heist, shit is dopeeeee.
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Oct 09 '12
: l If I wanted to use one of your songs as an opening to a video my and my friends would make , would u allow it?
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u/MacklemoreRyanLewis Oct 09 '12
Ryan: Listen to Jimmy Iovine :)
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u/HarbaucalypseNow Oct 09 '12
So shit, after taxes that leaves 7% for you and Ryan to split
I'm sure they're doing much better than that right now!
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u/kieonsegg Oct 09 '12
that concert was fucking insane. i'll never forget we all started to turn around because we thought the show was over, and macklemore comes back on stage with the flag to play one last song haha
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Oct 09 '12
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u/MacklemoreRyanLewis Oct 09 '12
Macklemore:
I always wanted to get sober. Ever since I was 16 years old I knew that drugs and alcohol affected me differently. I had no moderation. Because of this, when I was using my connection to music completely stopped. I went through a long lull of not finishing anything after I put out The Language of my World. My dad is the one that finally approached me and offered treatment. When I finally accepted his offer to go, it was like I finally threw in the towel. I needed help and couldn't do it on my own. I got there and within the first couple days the veil that had been cast over my life lifted. When you start coming out of that fog everything is so intense and vibrant. Everything they taught me in rehab just kinda clicked. And having a support group like AA has definitely helped keep me sober. Just being around a community of folks that have your same issues.
I'm not really sure how to address that yet. I definitely will. It JUST came out. I'm gonna let the song speak for itself, for at least a day or two
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u/AhnoldPalmer Oct 09 '12
That's what makes your song, Otherside so much more powerful. Also, i'm so happy you collaborated with Schoolboy Q. White Walls sounds great and so does the rest of your album. I'm thinking album of the year for sure.
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u/MacklemoreRyanLewis Oct 09 '12
RYAN REPLY:
Lol... it was a song neither of us are too proud of called "The Club." Back in 2006 that beat was FIRE... now... hahaha.
I went through a phase of hip-hop as actually a very young kid.. 6th grade. Loved DMX, Jay-Z, Pac, Master P... kind of FAMOUS hip hop. Then I got way more into indie rock up until I was maybe 16 in which I got into actual production, and discovered a wide variety of hip-hop I was intrigued by.
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Oct 09 '12
I was confused and this whole time I thought that "The Club" was Macklemore's answer to his number 1. And it still made sense as a crystallizing moment of alcohol problems...
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u/Phrams821 Oct 09 '12
Not too proud? I fuckin love that song! Can tell its from forever ago though.
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u/seeker_of_knowledge Oct 09 '12
This might help with #2 for Mack. http://rapgenius.com/Macklemore-starting-over-lyrics Gotta love rap genius!
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u/nesner0s Oct 09 '12
Thank you so much for doing the AMA! What is your favorite song you have guys have ever made?
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u/MacklemoreRyanLewis Oct 09 '12
Ryan: Hmmm that is tough. For a long time I said Can't Hold Us. I originally made Can't Hold Us in 2007... I had the piano/drums and synth laid down. I showed it to Ben in maybe 2008 and we essentially saved it for the right place and time. I always felt like that massive soccer/arena anthem. When we picked it back up in 2011 Ray Dalton sealed the deal and of course the amazing instrumentalists that jumped on it as well. Owuor/Gerg Kramer's massive horn edition, Andrews violin. The group background vocals with Camila and Victoria. It became exactly what I imagined and went for and it translated so well live.
But as of an hour I ago I just put out HELLA new songs haha... from the new wave of music on the Heist, I'd probably say Starting Over or White Walls. For very different reasons.
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u/ccuster911 Oct 09 '12
Bombom is brilliant too, never has an instrumental flowed so well in the middle of an album like that. Well done Ryan!
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u/HarbaucalypseNow Oct 09 '12
The chorus of White Walls takes me exactly to the place and feeling that I think you're trying to convey. Inspirational.
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Oct 09 '12
I felt so many things when listening to starting over! damn that song is emotional... it takes alot of heart to write about something like that! wasn't sure if it was something you'd perform live, but just read that you did last night! that is gonna sound so sick!
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u/hodorhodorhodor1 Oct 09 '12 edited Oct 09 '12
Hey Ben and Ryan,
first off congratz on hitting #1 on ALL OF ITUNES! you deserve it. You guys are really inspirational.
If you had one dream place to perform, where would it be?
Looking forward to seeing you guys at First Ave, it'll be my 3rd time seeing you guys play in Minnesota
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Oct 09 '12 edited Oct 09 '12
Hello to you both!
Macklemore, your lyrics are incredibly deep and are extremely relevant to many people. Instead of rapping about do drugs, having sex, or just rapping about nothing, you decide to tackle such issues like legalizing gay marriage and your opposition to drugs. Do you believe that this is what sets you apart from other artists in your genre? Also, you seem to have a type of style similar to Hoodie Allen. You both seem very easy-going in your songs and have a sound that is casual, yet sophisticated. Do you think that more artists like you two will start popping up around the map?
Señor Lewis, what is your relationship like with Macklemore? You two seem to have a very strong bond and you have been attributed for every song, album, and concert that he has put on. I don’t want to be too upfront, but, what exactly do you do? And as a follow up to this; did you ever think you would do something like this when you were 10 years old?
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u/MacklemoreRyanLewis Oct 09 '12
What do I do:
Technically? I write the music, record all the music, record ben, mix the records, work with the mastering engineers, graphic design (i.e. all of our posters, album art, etc), web design (macklemore.com), video production (I both cut and color edited: Same Love, Thrift Shop, And We Danced, Otherside Remix), I take photos, I edit a lot of the photography we put out, I DJ at shows, I critique raps... blah blah blah.
That's a great question and obviously a long techy sounding answer. In simple terms Ben and I collaborate on every single element of creative art that comes out.. I'm usually the person behind the boards taking a vision and fulfilling it. Outside of obviously making all the music, I execute all of the other mediums of art that make up Macklemore & Ryan Lewis as well.
Did I think I would do something like this when I was 10 years old? Yes I think I did. Or maybe more so just be in a band. Music has always been at the forefront of whatever I do passionately. I started making websites in middle school for my band, started photography in high school for music promotions.. all of what I've worked toward has revolved around music.
Relationship with Macklemore: He's my best friend. He's the person I trust most to criticize my work, my style and most importantly myself as a human. Person I go to for advice, confess shit to. Person that keeps me in check and helps me become a better person. We're artistic collaborators but also just great friends. I think it's tough to expect a musical collaboration to last very long if you weren't great friends without all the music and career stuff. We would be great friends still if everything we've worked toward fell through.
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u/VinSwift Oct 09 '12
If you could have one song of yours go really big, a real hit that everyone in America heard, which one would you pick? Why?
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u/gbro Oct 09 '12
206 represent! Got that skyline etched in my veins. Please please PLEASE play My Oh My everywhere you go. Such a powerful song and even to the people out there that don't know Dave Niehaus, it's still inspiring.
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u/Tcoch28 Oct 09 '12
What are your thoughts on Donald Glover/Childish Gambino? Would you ever work with him?
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u/skh810 Oct 09 '12
I went to your secret Seattle show last night and it was AMAZING!! Thank you both so much. Also, my friend Meg was wondering if you (Ryan) have a girlfriend? ;)
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u/damitpeople Oct 09 '12
First of all thank you for doing the AMA. I was wondering when you would be announcing your tour dates or Australia, and i would love you could get Blue Scholars to come to Australia with you.
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u/Phlandua Oct 09 '12
Will you be my stay at home Dad?
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u/MacklemoreRyanLewis Oct 09 '12
If you bring home the $, I will bring your yogurt and an assortment of various loafs of bread
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u/jot8228 Oct 09 '12
What about the rice krispy treats in wax baggies? And what about oprah at 5:00?
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Oct 09 '12 edited Oct 09 '12
Would you toss my salad?
Serious note: Thanks for making such amazing music. A lot of it really hits close to home and it's really inspiring. I love the amount of feeling and passion you put into your work, to the both of you. When I listen to My Oh My and hear you cheering, or listen to Otherside at the "Just wanted to be like Mike, right?!" section and your voice cracks, it really is amazing.
Edit: Aaaaaand just bought The Heist. Already amazing.
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u/kieonsegg Oct 09 '12
What has been your favourite song to perform?
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u/MacklemoreRyanLewis Oct 09 '12
Macklemore: It's constantly changing. Can't Hold Us featuring Ray Dalton is one of the hypest songs in a live setting. Last night was my first time performing "Starting Over" and it was a very emotional experience to say the least. It's tough to say favorite, but new material is always exciting. But I love performing all of it
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u/Aspiring_Physicist Oct 09 '12
Absolutely love Can't Hold Us! It was actually the second song of yours I heard, after Make the Money. Just wanted to say you're doing an awesome job and I will be seeing you in Van!
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u/lawlamanjaro Oct 09 '12
I saw you in Spokane last year and Cant Hold Us was insane. Just wanted to say I love your music and cant wait to see you in town again!
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u/sheepy7 Oct 09 '12
That song is one of my favorites, ray is incredible on that track. Just makes you want to dance
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Oct 09 '12
Hey Macklemore & Ryan me and my buddies are huge fans and we're going to your show in SF on Oct 21st. What is your favorite city to play/visit other than Seattle?
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u/re-re-Remix Oct 09 '12
who would you love to collaborate with? maybe childish gambino? would love it. see you soon in lansing.
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u/MacklemoreRyanLewis Oct 09 '12
Macklemore: I'd love to do a record with Kanye. Kendrick Lamar. A$AP Rocky. Those are some that come to mind.
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u/TrogdorDaBurninator Oct 09 '12
When Hoodie Allen came to WSU, he talked about you guys being pretty good personal friends. Is that true, and would you consider working with him on a song?
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u/MacklemoreRyanLewis Oct 09 '12
Kanye. Sufjan Stevens. Yann Tiersen. Beirut.
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u/pyotrpyotrpyotr Oct 09 '12
If you ever collaborate with Sufjan Stevens or Beirut, the world of indie music will probably change for years to come.
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u/el_swag Oct 09 '12
FUUUUUUUUUUUUCK. Macklemore & Ryan Lewis + Sufjan Stevens would blow my mind. Please make this for real one day.
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u/TheTraitor Oct 09 '12
A Sufjan Stevens collaboration would be amazing! I really like what you guys did with Ben Bridwell on the "Starting Over" track, so I would absolutely love to see what you could do with Sufjan Stevens.
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Oct 09 '12
I think it'd be interesting to see what he could do with Kid Cudi, even though they're very different.
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u/TheDoctor7 Oct 09 '12
If you could be any fruit, what kind of fruit would you be and why?
Serious answers only, please.
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u/MacklemoreRyanLewis Oct 09 '12
Ryan: Banana
Ben: Black Banana
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u/Anathem Oct 09 '12
Before the 1950s, people ate Gros Michel bananas almost exclusively. They were replaced with the Cavendish when Panama disease nearly eradicated the Gros Michel.
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u/jzstyles Oct 09 '12
Favorite item you've ever got from a thrift store?
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u/MacklemoreRyanLewis Oct 09 '12
Ryan: either my long fur jacket I got in Walla Walla. Or the brown leather jacket I wore way too often in 2012 haha. i.e. all of our press photos. GREAT jacket. Lost it :(
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u/NumerousUsernames Oct 09 '12
Dude that long fur coat is the most awesome thing ever! For years I have been trying to find one but we don't have good thrift shops here in Scotland and buying one online is just too dear :(
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u/glaciator Oct 09 '12
My sister saw you two in Walla Walla and has no doubt been to the thrift shop you got that jacket at. She's a huge fan, and I am absolutely one myself. NW Pride to the bone.
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u/itsbabyjesus Oct 09 '12
Where in Walla Walla did you get this fur jacket? That's awesome, i currently live here. <3 you guys, you guys are awesome!
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u/Chutes Oct 09 '12
love that jacket Macklemore is wearing on the roof during 'The Town' video. Any idea what it is?
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u/bisselse Oct 09 '12
I saw you perform at Whitman - such a great show! Mad props for the Walla Walla shout out.
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u/allday_erryday Oct 09 '12
Thank god, I'd about given up on anyone knowing what Walla Walla is. Represent.
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u/gigzags Oct 09 '12
What do you do in your free time? I've always found the normality of the life of a celebrity kind of intruiging.
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u/chantalelizabeth Oct 09 '12
What inspired you two to start working together. Love you by the way! :)
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u/allicat92 Oct 09 '12
Not a question but I LOVE you. Like a shit ton. Seeing you in Hotlanta in November!
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u/zieberry Oct 09 '12 edited Oct 09 '12
Hey Macklemore, can we go thrift shopping?
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u/yellowcookiemonster Oct 09 '12
If you had to choose any other profession (not in the music industry) what would it be?
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Oct 09 '12
You have come so far in a few short years. Just two years ago I saw you in a small bar in philadelphia with just a few heads rocking out. Where do you see yourself in 5 or 10 more years?
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u/FlannelCollar Oct 09 '12
Hey Macklemore and Ryan Lewis, I am a big fan. I have a few questions I hope you'll answer (feel free to pick and choose, I realize there is a lot here)!
For Macklemore:
You often mention being sober, what type of sobriety do you uphold? Marijuana, all drugs, alcohol, ect.?
Are there any other Hip Hop scenes as vibrant as Seattle's? There's so much going on from such a variety of people, it's crazy good!
Do you have any advice for an inspiring hip hop artist? I've tried to write before but everytime I do I feel like its bad and sounds corny.
I know you don't like the label conscious, how would you describe yourself?
What do you think of the current landscape of Rap/Hip-Hop?
What was the process of being selected as an XXL freshmen like?
Ryan:
Thoughts on Boardwalk Empire?
You've wrote that you can't really read music, how does that work when you write parts for Owuor or for another instrument?
I've tried to produce, but it just sounds flat. What is your advice to producing quality sounds?
I really liked your work with Symmetry, do you have any plans to work with another artist soon?
Would you ever try rapping?
'Pac vs Ferdinand is awesome.