Macklemore raps about appropriating black culture in 'White Privilege II'

Macklemore releases track &quot;White Privilege II&quot;. — (Image credit: Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)

Macklemore released a nine-minute sequel to his 2005 track "White Privilege," appropriately titled "White Privilege II." In it, the white hip-hop artist calls out Miley Cyrus, Elvis Presley, and Iggy Azalea for "heist[ing]" black music and culture.

"You've taken the drums and the accent you rapped in/You're branded 'hip-hop,' it's so fascist and backwards [...] What's the intention?" Macklemore raps.

The lyrics, while aware of Macklemore's own "white privilege" ("I was many steps ahead to begin with") use a style of musical "storytelling" recently made popular by Kendrick Lamar and Hamilton. Ultimately, Macklemore concludes, "I'm gonna be me, so please be who you are." Listen below. Jeva Lange

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Jeva Lange was the executive editor at TheWeek.com. She formerly served as The Week's deputy editor and culture critic. She is also a contributor to Screen Slate, and her writing has appeared in The New York Daily News, The Awl, Vice, and Gothamist, among other publications. Jeva lives in New York City. Follow her on Twitter.