Macklemore thinks Eminem and himself are guests in hip-hop, solidifying that white rappers should be thinking critically about how they fit in the genre.
On a CBS Morning on April Fools show, Nate Burleson interviewed Macklemore and asked the white rapper how he felt about being a guest in hip-hop.
“You’re a guest,” Burleson told Macklemore. He did not object to his statement.
“I think it’s true. It is true, and I agreed,” Macklemore stated. “If you look at the origin of where hip-hop came from and what was happening in New York City and what was happening in the Bronx. And the way that Black people and people of color been treated historically from the jump, this music was birth out of oppression.”
Lord Jamar of the group Brand Nubian is a vocal critic of Eminem’s place in hip-hop, arguing that Eminem, as a white rapper, is a guest in the genre and that his success is partly due to his race rather than his talent alone.
Many in the hip-hop community have debated the “guest” stance, with some agreeing with Lord Jamar’s perspective. In contrast, others see Eminem’s success as a result of his lyrical ability and contributions to the genre. Ultimately, the question of who “belongs” to a particular cultural movement or industry is complex, and there are many different viewpoints and opinions on the matter.
Eminem would respond to Lord Jamal, albeit indirectly and in a sneak diss, on his 2019 Kamikaze diss track “Fall.”
The Detriot rapper also admitted that he is a guest as well, saying in an interview on KXNG Crooked’s show Crook’s Corner, “That’s the funny thing. I don’t know if I got a chance to say this yet. The funny s**t is, with the whole beef of a certain person, I never said I wasn’t a guest.”
“I’m absolutely a guest. I never said I wasn’t. I never said I was king of anything, right?” the 8 Mile rapper said.
By extension, Macklemore, who first gained mainstream success in 2012 with his album “The Heist,” which included hit singles such as “Thrift Shop” and “Same Love,” has been perceived to be more privileged than talented, too.
Macklemore has won four Grammy Awards throughout his career. In 2014, he and his producer Ryan Lewis won Best New Artist, Best Rap Performance, and Best Rap Song for their hit single “Thrift Shop.” They also won Best Rap Album for their album “The Heist.”
Some critics argued that he was appropriating black culture and profiting from it. In contrast, others argued that he used his platform to address critical social issues and should be recognized. Regardless of the controversy, Macklemore’s Grammy wins helped to establish him as a major force in the music industry.
“Hip-Hop is inclusive, so there’s always been an open door to a certain extent…but I’m a guest, Em’s [Eminem] a guest,” he continued. “Doesn’t matter how good we get. Doesn’t matter how great Eminem is. We’re guests in the culture. A hundred percent.”
“And that’s not to say that I don’t belong here,” the “Heroes” rapper added. “I absolutely belong here. But you still have to realize this is not your house. And that you’re a guest. Take Your shoes off and help with some dishes.”
In 2016, Macklemore addressed his standing in hip-hop called “White Privilege II.”
