The Heist by Macklemore
Macklemore. (2012). The heist [Audio CD]. Lewis, R. Seattle, WA: Macklemore LLC
Plot Summary
Ten Thousand Hours: Macklemore reflects on all the hard work and time that led him to making an album and doing what he loves.
Can’t Hold Us: Macklemore and his friends have worked for their successes. They have reached their goals, and even ceilings cannot contain them.
Thrift Shop: Macklemore raps about going shopping at a thrift store.
Thin Line: Macklemore sings about neglecting his girlfriend whom he deeply loves, but has let her down to the point where their relationship is over.
Same Love: Macklemore mentions his gay uncle and hopes that some day his uncle and partner will see the same treatment others receive. Acknowledges that many hip-hop and rap songs are derogatory and discriminatory against homosexuals.
Make the Money: Describes his goals of ensuring he stays true to his mission of making music, and money is fine, but not let it change you.
Neon Cathedral: The protagonist has turned bars into his cathedrals. Drinking is more important than religion, and has become his religion.
BomBom: Purely instrumental track
White Walls: Macklemore loves his Cadillac and raps of his time driving around the city.
Jimmy Iovine: Macklemore is casing a building, looking at smuggling when a man offering a contract approaches him. He turns them down wanting more money and to stay true to his music.
Wing$: Macklemore remembers being a child with expensive basketball shoes, and then when a friend was killed for his shoes realizes they’re just shoes.
A Wake: Discusses the racism apparent in the word referencing Rodney King and Trayvon Martin, as well as society’s other ills.
Gold: The city is full of gold for everyone, even if you have to steal it. Life is good for you and all your friends.
Starting Over: Macklemore sings of having to start over his road to sobriety. He was clean for three years, but fell and needs to pick himself up again.
Cowboy Boots: Macklemore is looking back at his teenage and young adult years, including a trip to a cowboy bar.
Critical Evaluation
Not a pretty album, Macklemore’s voice is sometimes harsh, raspy, and unsuited for any music other than rap or hip-hop. Despite this, The Heist is surprisingly catchy and addictive. Macklemore incorporates a variety of instruments including piano, saxophone, and string that make for an eclectic and varied album. He alternates between songs that take on a serious tone, and those that are simply fun. “Same Love” tackles homophobia and Macklemore clearly promotes same-sex marriage and equal rights. He also name-drops Malcolm Gladwell before suddenly switching to a song about thrift shopping. Then, Bom Bom a purely instrumental addition gives listeners a rest from the powerful lyrics of the others. Macklemore is exceedingly explicit in his lyrics, with a multitude of curse words. However, lyrics are not sexual in nature, just strong language content. He also refrains from racist, sexist, or other negative images of groups of people. Overall, a surprisingly meaningful rap album, though the strong language will likely dissuade some from listening. A clean version is available.
Reader’s Annotation
Not your average rapper, Macklemore offers something a little more meaningful.
About the Author
Ben Haggerty, known professionally as Macklemore or Professor Macklemore was born in 1983 in Seattle, Washington. He has two siblings, including a brother who is a high school English teacher. He began his music career in 2000 with an EP Open Your Eyes, and then five years later released The Language of My World, his debut album. He gained a local following, but had to wait five more years until 2010 when he met with Ryan Lewis, a DJ/producer. Lewis spread news of Macklemore on social media and video-sharing sites. Macklemore has stayed with Lewis, and worked on The Heist together which debuted at #2 on the Billboard 200 in 2012.
Macklemore attended two high schools and then went on to Evergreen State College. His family is not musical, but his parents encouraged his musical interests. He was fourteen when he started writing lyrics, and enjoyed “West Coast underground hip hop.” Macklemore’s uncle is gay, and the song Same Love reflects his support for gay rights and same-sex marriage. Macklemore also struggled with drug and alcohol addiction and went to rehab in 2008. In January Macklemore and his girlfriend of seven years Tricia Davis were engaged.
Genre
Hip Hop/Rap
Curriculum Ties
N/A
Booktalking
N/A
Reading Level/Interest Level
RL: N/A
IL: 9th grade and up
Challenge Issues
Challenge issues include explicit language and support of homosexual relationships. I probably would not include in a school library.
In my defense file, I would include the following:
1) Library Mission Statement
2) Library Selection Policy approved by any or all of the following individuals—principal, school board, district librarian OR library manager, city council, mayor.
3) Library Bill of Rights adapted from CSLA Bill of Rights, AASL Bill of Rights and/or ALA Bill of Rights
4) Reviews, both positive and critical, from respected sources such as School Library Journal, VOYA, Booklist
5) Rationale for CD inclusion for titles anticipated to be controversial, frequently challenged, or created when a CD is challenged including: summary, audience, purpose, controversial issues and how they are handled
6) How the CD fits within Common Core Standards or State Standards
7) Reconsideration form for challenger to complete—include a section asking which part was of particular concern, if the entire CD was listened to, and what other similar titles are suggested instead
8) Student reviews from those who have listened to the CD and either enjoyed or disliked the CD and why.
Why Included
Macklemore’s singles Thrift Shop and Some Love are very popular, and I also needed a different genre. Additionally, Some Love discusses homosexual relationships in a positive light, something not common in rap or hip hop.
Others in the Series
The Language of my World (Album #1)
References
Billboard. (2013). Macklemore biography. Retrieved from http://www.billboard.com/artist/1490130/macklemore/biography
Macklemore. (8 May 2013). Wikipedia. Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Macklemore
Macklemore. (2012). The heist [Audio CD]. Lewis, R. Seattle, WA: Macklemore LLC
Plot Summary
Ten Thousand Hours: Macklemore reflects on all the hard work and time that led him to making an album and doing what he loves.
Can’t Hold Us: Macklemore and his friends have worked for their successes. They have reached their goals, and even ceilings cannot contain them.
Thrift Shop: Macklemore raps about going shopping at a thrift store.
Thin Line: Macklemore sings about neglecting his girlfriend whom he deeply loves, but has let her down to the point where their relationship is over.
Same Love: Macklemore mentions his gay uncle and hopes that some day his uncle and partner will see the same treatment others receive. Acknowledges that many hip-hop and rap songs are derogatory and discriminatory against homosexuals.
Make the Money: Describes his goals of ensuring he stays true to his mission of making music, and money is fine, but not let it change you.
Neon Cathedral: The protagonist has turned bars into his cathedrals. Drinking is more important than religion, and has become his religion.
BomBom: Purely instrumental track
White Walls: Macklemore loves his Cadillac and raps of his time driving around the city.
Jimmy Iovine: Macklemore is casing a building, looking at smuggling when a man offering a contract approaches him. He turns them down wanting more money and to stay true to his music.
Wing$: Macklemore remembers being a child with expensive basketball shoes, and then when a friend was killed for his shoes realizes they’re just shoes.
A Wake: Discusses the racism apparent in the word referencing Rodney King and Trayvon Martin, as well as society’s other ills.
Gold: The city is full of gold for everyone, even if you have to steal it. Life is good for you and all your friends.
Starting Over: Macklemore sings of having to start over his road to sobriety. He was clean for three years, but fell and needs to pick himself up again.
Cowboy Boots: Macklemore is looking back at his teenage and young adult years, including a trip to a cowboy bar.
Critical Evaluation
Not a pretty album, Macklemore’s voice is sometimes harsh, raspy, and unsuited for any music other than rap or hip-hop. Despite this, The Heist is surprisingly catchy and addictive. Macklemore incorporates a variety of instruments including piano, saxophone, and string that make for an eclectic and varied album. He alternates between songs that take on a serious tone, and those that are simply fun. “Same Love” tackles homophobia and Macklemore clearly promotes same-sex marriage and equal rights. He also name-drops Malcolm Gladwell before suddenly switching to a song about thrift shopping. Then, Bom Bom a purely instrumental addition gives listeners a rest from the powerful lyrics of the others. Macklemore is exceedingly explicit in his lyrics, with a multitude of curse words. However, lyrics are not sexual in nature, just strong language content. He also refrains from racist, sexist, or other negative images of groups of people. Overall, a surprisingly meaningful rap album, though the strong language will likely dissuade some from listening. A clean version is available.
Reader’s Annotation
Not your average rapper, Macklemore offers something a little more meaningful.
About the Author
Ben Haggerty, known professionally as Macklemore or Professor Macklemore was born in 1983 in Seattle, Washington. He has two siblings, including a brother who is a high school English teacher. He began his music career in 2000 with an EP Open Your Eyes, and then five years later released The Language of My World, his debut album. He gained a local following, but had to wait five more years until 2010 when he met with Ryan Lewis, a DJ/producer. Lewis spread news of Macklemore on social media and video-sharing sites. Macklemore has stayed with Lewis, and worked on The Heist together which debuted at #2 on the Billboard 200 in 2012.
Macklemore attended two high schools and then went on to Evergreen State College. His family is not musical, but his parents encouraged his musical interests. He was fourteen when he started writing lyrics, and enjoyed “West Coast underground hip hop.” Macklemore’s uncle is gay, and the song Same Love reflects his support for gay rights and same-sex marriage. Macklemore also struggled with drug and alcohol addiction and went to rehab in 2008. In January Macklemore and his girlfriend of seven years Tricia Davis were engaged.
Genre
Hip Hop/Rap
Curriculum Ties
N/A
Booktalking
N/A
Reading Level/Interest Level
RL: N/A
IL: 9th grade and up
Challenge Issues
Challenge issues include explicit language and support of homosexual relationships. I probably would not include in a school library.
In my defense file, I would include the following:
1) Library Mission Statement
2) Library Selection Policy approved by any or all of the following individuals—principal, school board, district librarian OR library manager, city council, mayor.
3) Library Bill of Rights adapted from CSLA Bill of Rights, AASL Bill of Rights and/or ALA Bill of Rights
4) Reviews, both positive and critical, from respected sources such as School Library Journal, VOYA, Booklist
5) Rationale for CD inclusion for titles anticipated to be controversial, frequently challenged, or created when a CD is challenged including: summary, audience, purpose, controversial issues and how they are handled
6) How the CD fits within Common Core Standards or State Standards
7) Reconsideration form for challenger to complete—include a section asking which part was of particular concern, if the entire CD was listened to, and what other similar titles are suggested instead
8) Student reviews from those who have listened to the CD and either enjoyed or disliked the CD and why.
Why Included
Macklemore’s singles Thrift Shop and Some Love are very popular, and I also needed a different genre. Additionally, Some Love discusses homosexual relationships in a positive light, something not common in rap or hip hop.
Others in the Series
The Language of my World (Album #1)
References
Billboard. (2013). Macklemore biography. Retrieved from http://www.billboard.com/artist/1490130/macklemore/biography
Macklemore. (8 May 2013). Wikipedia. Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Macklemore
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