Here's a guy (and producer) I just discovered this week. You may have heard of him in the news because just days after my discovery a performing arts teacher was suspended for playing his pro-gay song in her classroom. She plays a song at the beginning of each class, for them to discuss, and when a student approached with this one she approved it. One student went to the principal to complain and she was suspended, that very day, without pay.
Here's the song, my fave part of the lyrics, and a letter Macklemore received from one of the students. You'll see from these lyrics that this is the perfect song to play and discuss with teenagers.
Have you read the YouTube comments lately?
"Man that's gay" gets dropped on the daily
We become so numb to what we're saying
A culture founded from oppression
Yet we don't have acceptance for 'em
Call each other faggots behind the keys of a message board
A word rooted in hate, yet our genre still ignores it
Gay is synonymous with the lesser
[Student letter - click to enlarge.]
He was nervous about playing in Republican states but said the audiences knew the lyrics better than elsewhere, and told him how his song made them change how they thought/talked about gay people.
I can't stand poorly made Art with a Message (I'm looking at you Kevin Smith!) I love this song because it's well done. Macklemore writes from the heart, and the music is beautiful, and Lewis' productions are gorgeous.
I can't stand poorly made Art with a Message (I'm looking at you Kevin Smith!) I love this song because it's well done. Macklemore writes from the heart, and the music is beautiful, and Lewis' productions are gorgeous.
So far he hasn't signed to a label cause he wants to keep creative control, so here's my part in promoting him. :-) This is one of the best albums I bought this year. I'll put up other songs later.
5 comments:
Gorgeous lyrics. I hadn't heard this one. What a shame that teacher had to suffer a suspension for allowing her students to listen to this awesome message.
Great lyrics. Of course the teacher got suspended: can't have the children thinking now, can we?
I love your new friend and her new name! :)
Thank you Mabel ... on so many levels, for so many things.
P.S. Excellent name for your new friend!
@Robena - A friend going to school in Michigan said he wasn't surprised at all. Yikes.
@Skye - I hope the school district takes this as a learning moment.
@widdershins - Thanks for hanging out with me here for so long! :-D
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