Macklemore

Benjamin Hammond Haggerty, known professionally as Macklemore, was born on June 19, 1983, in Seattle, Washington. He was raised in the Capitol Hill neighborhood. His introduction to hip hop came at age six through the group Digital Underground. By the age of 15, he began writing lyrics, drawing influence from East Coast underground hip hop acts like Freestyle Fellowship, Wu-Tang Clan, Nas, and Talib Kweli. He attended Garfield High School and Nathan Hale High School, where he first adopted the stage name "Professor Macklemore" for an art project. In 2000, he self-released a mixtape titled Open Your Eyes under this moniker.

Career Beginnings

In 2005, Macklemore dropped "Professor" from his name and released his first full-length album, The Language of My World. This album helped him gain a local following in Seattle. He met producer Ryan Lewis in 2006, and they began collaborating, with Lewis initially working on Macklemore's promotion as a photographer. Their formal partnership as the duo Macklemore & Ryan Lewis was established in 2009. That year, they released the EP The VS. EP.

Breakthrough with The Heist

The duo achieved international fame with their debut studio album, The Heist, released in October 2012. The album, recorded between 2009 and 2012, was an independent release. It debuted at number two on the U.S. Billboard 200 chart. The album's single "Thrift Shop" reached number one on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 in 2013, a rare feat for an independent artist. Their second single, "Can't Hold Us," also topped the Hot 100, making them the first duo in the chart's history to have their first two singles reach the number one spot. At the 2014 Grammy Awards, the duo won four awards: Best New Artist, Best Rap Album (for The Heist), Best Rap Song, and Best Rap Performance (both for "Thrift Shop").

Solo Career and Activism

Macklemore and Ryan Lewis released their second album, This Unruly Mess I've Made, in 2016. In June 2017, Macklemore announced that the duo was on an indefinite hiatus. He then returned to his solo career, releasing the album Gemini in September 2017, which featured the hit single "Glorious." His third solo album, Ben, was released in 2023. Macklemore is also known for his activism, particularly his support for LGBTQ+ rights, as highlighted in the song "Same Love," and his advocacy for racial justice. In 2024, he released the pro-Palestinian single "Hind's Hall."

Personal Life

Macklemore has been open about his struggles with drug abuse, entering rehab in 2008 at his father's urging. In 2013, he became engaged to his long-term partner, Tricia Davis, and they married in 2015. The couple has three children. He has used his platform to raise awareness about addiction and mental health.