Macklemore & Ryan Lewis Remind Fans About Trayvon Martin At AMAs

[NelsonG]

By Sean Lynch

The 2013 American Music Awards were the topic of conversation on just about everyone’s social-timelines last night. The focal point was the award for Best Hip-Hop Album, which was a three-way crapshoot between Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, Kendrick Lamar and Jay Z. The “Thrift Shop” tandem managed to put up a win up against two of the industry’s best--and their big award, plus their acceptance speech really got fans talking with references to Trayvon Martin and issues of racial profiling. 

On Twitter, many viewers questioned the validity of the group's win for The Heist and some even went as far as to question the motive behind their acceptance speech, which aired via-satellite from Miami, Florida. Others gave the group props for using a national platform to spread an important message.

“Now that I’m sitting here in front of millions of people, I’d like to address something extremely important to me,” Macklemore told the audience. “I was talking to my friend before the show and he reminded me of a great Martin Luther King quote. He said, ‘Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.’ And due to the fact that we are in Florida tonight accepting this award, I want to acknowledge Trayvon Martin and the hundreds and hundreds of kids each year that are dying due to racial profiling and the violence that follows it. This is really happening. These are our friends, our neighbors, our peers, and our fans, and it’s time that we look out for the youth and fight against racism and the laws that protect it."

The duo who are currently on tour until mid-December, and recently announced that they would be taking a break following next years Grammy Awards, immediately received criticism from a percentage of viewers watching the awards-show.

Macklemore mentioning Trayvon in his acceptance speech.????These guys will never EVER disappoint.

— Gavin Lee (@GoddamnItGavin) November 25, 2013

 

Macklemore acknowledging Trayvon Martin was such a publicity stunt — Ronnie Norman (@RonStoppables) November 25, 2013

If Macklemore was truly upset about the Trayvon Martin results, he wouldn't have performed in Florida. Actions speak louder then words.

Macklemore mentioning Trayvon in his acceptance speech.????These guys will never EVER disappoint.

Shout out to Macklemore for acknowledging Trayvon Martin and the injustice of racial profiling with his mic time at last nights AMAs. — Dr. Ioneenknoyo, Esq (@DubJ) November 25, 2013

— Gavin Lee (@GoddamnItGavin) November 25, 2013

— Max (@MAX1MIZE) November 25, 2013

macklemore brought up trayvon months after the verdict like if he really wanted to do shed light on it he would've done it earlier — soumaya (@mayapoop) November 25, 2013

 

Instead of using his acceptance speech time on himself Macklemore dedicated it to Trayvon Martin and the issue of racial profiling. Powerful

— Jen Scott (@JenScott418) November 25, 2013

 

I applaud macklemore for bringing up trayvon martin at the AMAs . screw people who say it was "innapropriate" ????????

— logan mckenna ? (@logaaan_xo) November 25, 2013

 

Macklemore and Ryan Lewis continue to take a stand on equality and social issues within their music and performances. The duo’s widely-popular single “Same Love” focuses on same-sex marriage, while an early fan favorite “Wings,” carries a tune focused on the world of consumerism and the dangers surrounding it.

In fact the duo has touched on how tough it is to take a stance on an issue of race, during “A Wake,” on The Heist. During his second verse, Macklemore finds himself stuck on whether to voice his opinion, even if it comes with heavy backlash. "Fighting for a freedom that my people stole, Don't wanna make all my white fans uncomfortable. 'But you don't even have a f---in' song for radio. Why you out here talking race, trying to save the f---ing globe?' Don't get involved if the cause isn't mine. White privilege, white guilt, at the same damn time. So we just party like it's 1999. Celebrate the ignorance while these kids keep dying,” raps Macklemore.

[url=http://rapfix.mtv.com/2013/11/25/macklemore-ryan-lewis-remind-fans-about-trayvon-martin-at-amas/]View the full article[/url]