Groundbreaking debut album turns 10
This month marks not only the 10 year history since the release of Macklemore & Ryan Lewis’ accolade and award-laden global debut The Heist, but also sees their hit single “Can’t Hold Us” being officially certified RIAA Diamond, with the organization honoring the duo as one of the most successful duos of the last 65 years of RIAA Gold & Platinum history. “Can’t Hold Us,” featuring Ray Dalton marks their second Diamond Single Award from the same album — an incredibly rare accomplishment — that follows 2015’s “Thrift Shop” featuring Wanz. Diamond certifications make up less than one percent of RIAA’s Gold & Platinum program. These are awarded for 10 million sales and streaming equivalents earned in the United States alone with only 19 acts having more than one Diamond single in RIAA history.
“What a journey on this record… We started to perform this song before it even had a hook, way before The Heist came out… and here we are a decade later and it’s a Diamond single. It’s a record that has stood the test of time…. Still probably my favorite song to perform live,” the pair share.
Earlier this year, Macklemore made a triumphant return with the critically applauded “Chant” featuring Australian breakout artist and producer Tones And I. An anthem for the ages, “Chant” made its morning television debut as part of Good Morning America’s Summer Concert Series in Central Park. The Seattle born-and-based artist performed to hundreds of screaming fans, and teased a larger body of work and new musical era is on the horizon.
Most recently, his latest single, the indie-pop infused “Maniac” featuring Windser, continues to gain traction at radio and across digital platforms globally and comes with an official music video, featuring a brief cameo by Nardwuar, directed by Jake Magraw.
Macklemore recently completed a North American Stadium tour with Imagine Dragons, and has confirmed a studio album is on the way and will be released in 2023. More details to come.
