Review of Same Love by Macklemore
‘Underneath it’s all the same love’, Hip-Hop artist Macklemore’s hit ‘Same Love’ released in 2012 reached an astounding 162 million views on YouTube. ‘Same Love’ promotes the legalisation of gay marriage in America, a very topical debate at the time of its release. Macklemore’s hit encompasses an eminent evident message of equality, an equal world where people aren’t discriminated against for sexual preference. Macklemore allows the listener to understand to the detrimental effects of stereotypes, the overt oppression of the LGBT community by hip hop artists has undesirable consequences on our society. I believe that Macklemore writing a song that was so blunt about what he believed was an outstanding way to …show more content…
Misogynistic and homophobic lyrics are constantly being played on the radio. ‘Same Love’ combats the homophobia in the hip-hop genre. “If I was gay, I would think hip-hop hates me. Have you read the YouTube comments lately? Man that’s gay gets dropped on a daily” Macklemore identifies how an LGBT person would feel being degraded by using slurs such as ‘fag’ as a derogatory term. ‘dropped on the daily’ refers to the fact that this language is used by people in day to day language. This makes the listener reflect on the language they use and whether they are degrading people and adding to the oppression on a daily basis. Often people use these words subconsciously, as it is ingrained we do not see these words as oppressive. “We become so numb to what we’re saying’. Macklemore is calling out society for adding to the oppression by turning words such as ‘gay’ into a word with a negative stigma. We become numb to not only the words but the impact they have on members of the LGBT community. Same Love touches on a very sensitive topic here I think. But one that needs to be addressed. Our words have an immense effect on those in the LGBT community, they often struggle with depression, anxiety, trauma and self-acceptance as a result of constant discrimination. In fact, LGBT youth are 3-4 times more likely to attempt suicide than their …show more content…
For our parents (Generation X) being gay was perceived as unusual, there was no evidence of it in the media the way it is today. The preconceived idea of the LGBT community was passed down from The Baby Boomers, our grandparents. In reference to Macklemore as a child believing he was gay due to these stereotypes ‘I told my mum, with tears rushing down my face”. This young boy was distraught at the thought of possibly being a part of the LGBT community. This is wrong. Macklemore encourages us to ask ourselves ‘are we helping to contest these stereotypes or are we adding to them?’ Again with a very clever use of emotive language, Macklemore cements the pain that the people of the LGBT community feel. “When kids are walking ‘round the hallway plagued by pain in their heart. A world so hateful some would rather die than be who they are.” Mary Lambert, a featuring artist in the song has experienced the pain both her and Macklemore sing about, adding to the deep and profundity of ‘Same Love’. The song finishes with ‘Love is patient, love is kind’ being repeated, a strong finish leaving us thinking about a love with no limits to gender. Macklemore has used incredibly motivating lyrics, it brings the reality to life for those who may not see it. Impactful lyrics such as the ones quoted above address both those who
‘Underneath it’s all the same love’, Hip-Hop artist Macklemore’s hit ‘Same Love’ released in 2012 reached an astounding 162 million views on YouTube. ‘Same Love’ promotes the legalisation of gay marriage in America, a very topical debate at the time of its release. Macklemore’s hit encompasses an eminent evident message of equality, an equal world where people aren’t discriminated against for sexual preference. Macklemore allows the listener to understand to the detrimental effects of stereotypes, the overt oppression of the LGBT community by hip hop artists has undesirable consequences on our society. I believe that Macklemore writing a song that was so blunt about what he believed was an outstanding way to …show more content…
Misogynistic and homophobic lyrics are constantly being played on the radio. ‘Same Love’ combats the homophobia in the hip-hop genre. “If I was gay, I would think hip-hop hates me. Have you read the YouTube comments lately? Man that’s gay gets dropped on a daily” Macklemore identifies how an LGBT person would feel being degraded by using slurs such as ‘fag’ as a derogatory term. ‘dropped on the daily’ refers to the fact that this language is used by people in day to day language. This makes the listener reflect on the language they use and whether they are degrading people and adding to the oppression on a daily basis. Often people use these words subconsciously, as it is ingrained we do not see these words as oppressive. “We become so numb to what we’re saying’. Macklemore is calling out society for adding to the oppression by turning words such as ‘gay’ into a word with a negative stigma. We become numb to not only the words but the impact they have on members of the LGBT community. Same Love touches on a very sensitive topic here I think. But one that needs to be addressed. Our words have an immense effect on those in the LGBT community, they often struggle with depression, anxiety, trauma and self-acceptance as a result of constant discrimination. In fact, LGBT youth are 3-4 times more likely to attempt suicide than their …show more content…
For our parents (Generation X) being gay was perceived as unusual, there was no evidence of it in the media the way it is today. The preconceived idea of the LGBT community was passed down from The Baby Boomers, our grandparents. In reference to Macklemore as a child believing he was gay due to these stereotypes ‘I told my mum, with tears rushing down my face”. This young boy was distraught at the thought of possibly being a part of the LGBT community. This is wrong. Macklemore encourages us to ask ourselves ‘are we helping to contest these stereotypes or are we adding to them?’ Again with a very clever use of emotive language, Macklemore cements the pain that the people of the LGBT community feel. “When kids are walking ‘round the hallway plagued by pain in their heart. A world so hateful some would rather die than be who they are.” Mary Lambert, a featuring artist in the song has experienced the pain both her and Macklemore sing about, adding to the deep and profundity of ‘Same Love’. The song finishes with ‘Love is patient, love is kind’ being repeated, a strong finish leaving us thinking about a love with no limits to gender. Macklemore has used incredibly motivating lyrics, it brings the reality to life for those who may not see it. Impactful lyrics such as the ones quoted above address both those who