Macklemore Takes On Racism, Iggy Azalea & Miley Cyrus with “White Privilege II”

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  • Source: www.youtube.com / Via: www.youtube.com

  • Get ready for the internet arguments – Macklemore has a new song about racism and #BlackLivesMatter called “White Privilege II,” and he may have picked a fight with Iggy Azalea and Miley Cyrus while he was at it.

    The last time people were mad at Macklemore, he’d released his song “Same Love” featuring lesbian singer Mary Lambert, with the opening lyric, “When I was in the third grade I thought that I was gay ‘cause I could draw.” It annoyed some LGBT activists that Macklemore, a straight man, took center stage in the song instead of Lambert.

    Now, in this follow-up to “White Privilege” from his 2005 debut album, he’s tackling the issue of race. In nine minutes and 1,300 words, Macklemore muses about feeling uncomfortable at a Black Lives Matter protest and slams Iggy Azalea and Miley Cyrus (along with himself) for appropriating black culture to boost their own careers. Iggy Azalea didn’t really appreciate that:

  • Source: twitter.com / Via: twitter.com

  • Forrest Wickman over at Slate writes that “White Privilege II” is interesting as a think piece and helps Macklemore be a better ally and educate his white fans – it’s just not a very good song.

    In the end, the best thing Macklemore does is giving Black Lives Matter protesters (along with up-and-coming singer Jamila Woods) the last word. “The best thing white people can do is talk to each other,” one voice says. With this song, Macklemore is talking to his more ignorant fans, doing his part to help them start to sort things out. He still might not be a great rapper, but by learning to amplify the voices of others over his own, he’s becoming a better ally.

    Other people still aren’t having it, though:

  • Source: twitter.com / Via: twitter.com

  • Source: twitter.com / Via: twitter.com

  • Source: twitter.com / Via: twitter.com

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