**** I think what's most immediately refreshing to me about this track is the way Macklemore goes yet another layer deep in being self-aware. Because he cops endless flack for his status as the hip-hop vanguard for well, you know what sort of people. But I mean what is he supposed to do about it? Clearly the answer is to release an 8+ minute long song putting all of it on wax.<br><br>I can't give this a high score just for that. Even I think this runs far too long, while not doing much in the way of clever wordplay, composition etc that can make me think that it's exceptional. Macklemore's cadence & bars remain corny in 2016. But in saying that, I don't think that's what's important here. Rather, I think it's a good thing that Macklemore is using his status to get something out there to start a dialogue. For a lot of people who are quick to tune out these issues because they don't in any way affect their way of life, this will be the only way they hear these sorts of issues up front. That's perhaps why this song would better serve to be more succinct. Granted, it's hard to make a balance there as if you make it too conventional, most won't even notice or care about the message portrayed, but I feel there's a more effective middle point than what he's done here.<br><br>Even if it's not the best crafted, this dialogue is important. 3.6 |