Macklemore and Ryan Lewis were first-time Saturday Night Live (SNL) musical features on March 2 when they performed high-energy versions of “Can’t Hold Us” and “Thrift Shop,” according to Billboard. The program was hosted by shorter-than-average comedian Kevin Hart , who sparked some controversy with a sketch where he played 9-year-old Oscar-nominated actress Quvenzhané Wallis being named the new pope.
Macklemore, whose real name is Ben Haggerty, is no stranger to controversy himself. As Tayla Holman reported earlier for The Inquistr , the playfully foul-mouthed white rapper penned a pro-gay marriage song called, “Same Love,” and a middle school teacher was ultimately suspended for three days from her job for playing the song in the classroom. Macklemore spoke up in support of the teacher’s actions.
Rolling Stone reporters loved Saturday night’s performance, noting that Seattle duo “Macklemore and Ryan Lewis rolled out some snappy threads and hyperkinetic moves.”
In a longer report in October, Rolling Stone’s Steve Knopper explored the independent musicians’ unusual road to success. The creative pair refused to pay for samples on their new album, The Heist , and they film and edit their own videos including the viral You Tube production of “Thrift Shop,” which includes a clip where Ryan Lewis drives a DeLorean — to the thrift shop to buy items like grandpa’s footie pajamas and a broken keyboard.
Macklemore confessed to Knopper that he struggled with drugs and alcohol during his early twenties, but he sobered up in 2008 to focus on making it in music for once and for all. He credits the fans for his success. They “believe in our dedication and the art we’re making, that’s the reason we’re at where we’re at.”
According to Twitter, Macklemore and Ryan Lewis do indeed resonate with their audience.
thrift shop by macklemore is pretty much a song about my life
— C?? ? (@moonchild_cat) March 4, 2013
Ed covered the chorus of Same Love by Macklemore. I love this song and I am crying okay. unofficialedsheeran.tumblr.com/post/445310241…
— Sheerios (@EdSheeranFansUS) March 4, 2013
Here is that Macklemore and Ryan Lewis official “Thrift Shop” video, first posted to You Tube in August. It already has 138 million views and growing, so don’t be the last one of your friends to see it.
With lyrics like “this is f**king awesome” and “that’s a cold-a***d honky,” it’s hilarious but definitely NSFW. You have been warned.
What did you think of Macklemore and Ryan Lewis’s performance of their signature song “Thrift Shop” on SNL?