His message is to show the world the life he grew up in, and how it has shaped him to be who he is today.
Macklemore, was born and raised in Seattle, Washington, and had a passion for performing since a young age. He began writing rap at the age of 14. His mother was a social worker, who encouraged him to be supportive of the differences in people. While attending high school, he developed a drug abuse problem. To get out of the chaos, his father sent him to a rehab program in 2008. Also, his parents moved to another area to accommodate his education. As he took the steps to become sober, Macklemore teamed up with producer Ryan Lewis, and they began creating music together. The team created the hit album "The Heist" in 2012, which led to Macklemore gaining the spotlight around the world. From the help of his close peers as a support group and positive reinforcement from his mother, Macklemore has a strong positive message, promoting love and acceptance.
Though the two artists have different backgrounds, the two are similar in some ways. Both Kendrick and Macklemore have had an interest in writing since a young age. This has led to them writing poetry and ultimately writing raps. Both artists have gotten involved in partying and drugs, but they ended up changing their ways with the encouragement of their parents, and ultimately choosing to pursue music. The differences between Kendrick Lamar and Macklemore's music style and topic matter demonstrate Macklemore's stronger market appeal. Kendrick Lamar would rap about the things he saw growing up in the hood. In his song "m.A.A.d. city," Kendrick describes his life story. His first verse goes, "Brace yourself I'll take you on a trip down memory lane. This is not a rap on how I'm slinging crack or move cocaine. This is cul-de-sac and plenty Cognac and major pain."(Lamar 2012). Kendrick states that his life is a "cul-de-sac," symbolizing a dead end, and full of cognac, implying his alcoholic upbringing.