Macklemore

Macklemore, born Benjamin Hammond Haggerty on June 19, 1983, in Seattle, Washington, is an American rapper known for his socially conscious lyrics and energetic performances. He began his music career in 2000 and released his debut album, The Language of My World, in 2005. However, he gained international fame in collaboration with producer Ryan Lewis as the duo Macklemore & Ryan Lewis. Their 2012 album The Heist produced hits like "Thrift Shop" and "Can't Hold Us," with "Thrift Shop" reaching number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and selling over 6 million copies in the U.S. After a six-year hiatus, Macklemore released his third solo album, Ben, in 2023. The album debuted at number 18 on the Billboard 200 chart and includes singles such as "Chant," "Maniac," and "No Bad Days." Beyond his music career, Macklemore is known for his activism. His 2024 song "Hind's Hall" expresses support for pro-Palestinian protests and criticizes U.S. foreign policy towards Israel. The song received mixed reactions but was also praised as a powerful example of political engagement in music. Macklemore is married to Tricia Davis, and they have three children. His Seattle home was recently burglarized while his children were inside, drawing additional media attention due to his political activism.