Return of the Mack

If you listen to hip-hop the way I do this post might give you a little perspective on how I see things. The way I look at it the most important thing an emcee is obligated to do is put on for his city. Maybe it’s just the way hip-hop is presented but ever since the days of the Bronx vs. Queens-Bridge battle there is nothing that says hip-hop like someone that put’s his city before himself. Oddly enough in other genres of music it doesn’t really seem to work that way. A band could be from overseas and you might not know it until you read their biography. One thing is for sure when you hear this particular emcee it won’t take you long to figure out where he’s from. Seattle native Ben Haggerty better known by his stage name Macklemore leaves no doubt where his heart lies. The Emerald City emcee reps Seattle every chance he gets. People around the globe might not be aware of Seattle’s rich underground hip-hop tradition but for those of us amerced in the culture it’s no secret there’s a lot more going on in the “206” than Seattle Seahawk games. Macklemore attended Garfield high school in Seattle, which just so happens to be the same school Portland Trailblazer shooting guard Brandon Roy attended. He began to build a buzz in the region after he performed at Bumbershoot in 2008. This festival is one of the most popular musical events in the Pacific-Northwest and can act as a springboard for any aspiring artist. His latest single and video “The Town” is a tribute to the Seattle hip-hop scene and pays homage to those who paved the way for him. Although Sir Mix- A- Lot is often credited as being the only Seattle born emcee to have enjoyed mainstream success he left many emcee’s inspired along the way. If representing your city is a prerequisite in hip-hop’s arms race, than Macklemore is more than ready for war. If you’re looking to catch a dope show in the Portland area he’ll be performing at the Hawthorne Theater March 3. You might want to grab your ticket early it’s sure to be a packed house. For more information log on to www.myspace.com/macklemore