Macklemore and Ryan Lewis have always been very socially conscious with songs like “Same Love” and “White Privilege”, but their latest release, “Drug Dealer,” is deeply profound and personal. The Seattle-based rapper and DJ duo have touched on a problem that is plaguing the United States from urban to rural areas. The opioid epidemic is real and effects every socioeconomic level. It is such a problem that the United States Surgeon General, Dr. Vivek Murthy, has made it one of the top medical priorities that need to be addressed in the US.
The realness and the pain that Macklemore shows in this video is heartbreaking. The need and the addiction to painkillers, like OxyContin, morphine and Vicodin, is relentless. Macklemore‘s own addiction add a powerful edge and he talks about how it leads to heroin and other drugs. The darkness and the hopelessness that is evidenced in withdraw symptoms that he goes through. The intense desire and need to fight the urges only to fall harder.
Ariana Deboo provides a haunting performance on the hook while drowning in red and white pills. It provides the stunning visual. Her clean, empathic vocals provides that touch of sadness that balances Macklemore‘s aggressive lyrics. It is a brilliant contrast that encompasses everything needed to make a powerful, gritty and real music video.
It has been known for a while that Macklemore and Ryan Lewis were great at bringing to light social issues, but “Drug Dealer” is reality check. Opioid abuse is everywhere and there is a chance that you know someone that is suffering with opioid addiction as there are some 5.1 million cases of prescription drug addiction in the US. Learn more about the prescription drug epidemic: HERE.
Pick up This Unruly Mess I’ve Made by Macklemore & Ryan Lewis featuring “Drug Dealer” on iTunes or most major retailers.
