Started From The Bottom, a Review

IMG_2559The first time I heard their music I had randomly stumbled upon it via Spotify, and needless to say, I was intrigued. A guy who chooses to ‘wear moccasins someone else has been walkin’ in’ and raps about gay marriage like a boss? Yeah, I’m listening.

Last week I attended my first Macklemore and Ryan Lewis concert in Houston — needless to say it will not be my last. It wasn’t just a performance, it was a legitimate show. The moment the dynamic duo walked on stage, they were everything I wanted and more. I went to the concert with my brother and our tickets were floor standing. It was crowded but also close enough for me to feel like I got my money’s worth.

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The intro to the concert displayed a similar version to the American Flag with a few tweaks as the backdrop, and their album cover title was also displayed. Then, the intro music to the song”BomBom” on their album, “The Heist” began playing. Before you knew it the entire crew was on stage. No matter where you looked, something was going on.

There was a ton of confetti spread around, giant orange balloons bouncing through the audience, three screens to accent all of their songs, fire, dancers, an assortment of costumes, and awesome stage lights. Another aspect of the performance that I adored was the crowd surrounding me. The energy was fantastic and everyone knew almost every song, which is crazy to fathom.

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If you don’t know the story behind Macklemore and Ryan Lewis, it’s very eye-opening. Macklemore, aka Ben Haggerty, was a drug addict and abused alcohol like no other. When he got clean in 2008, he randomly met music producer Ryan Lewis simply by fate with a little help from MySpace. Botta bing, botta boom. There you have it — one of the most moving and inspiring musical duos of our time. They’re also independently produced.

They’re known for their top chart songs such as “Thrift Shop,” “Can’t Hold Us,” and “Same Love.” The entire album is worth a listen, or in my case, 500 listens. When you attend a Macklemore and Ryan Lewis concert, you feel motivated. You feel like there’s some hope in the world. There’s a rapper who has a passion for spilling true emotions about problems and issues we seem to shy away from. It’s not about the gold chain they’re wearing or what girl they took home last night.

It wasn’t just a therapy and come-to-Jesus moment that night, it was also the biggest dance party I’ve ever been to. I don’t know if I’ve ever sweated so much at a concert, and I really didn’t care. I had a blast. If the pair ever comes to a city near you, take the opportunity and run. You won’t regret it. Even if you’ve only heard about the DJ-rapper combo today, you would still have the time of your life. I mean honestly, when was the last time you heard a rapper make velcro shoes sound cool?

About Lauren Estlinbaum

Entertainment Director    —    Journalism major, Class of 2014
Lauren Estlinbaum grew up in Pearland, Texas, south of Houston (go Texans). She is a journalism major with a minor in apparel design. Lauren would like to work for either a fashion or lifestyle publication post-graduation. As she likes to say, she considers fashion magazines survival guides.