Macklemore: Don't let perfection stop you | TEDxPortland

Macklemore aka Ben Haggerty has proud Northwest roots hailing from Seattle, WA. He also has an affinity for The Rose City growing up driving down I-5 to perform and grow his following in Portland, OR. Despite one of the biggest years in pop culture / hip hop history*, Macklemore, graciously joined us to close the "Perfect Day." Accompanied on stage by TEDxPortland Host & Chief Curator, David Rae, the two explore a discussion on creative craft, independence, rehab / relapse, gay marriage & chasing perfection.
*Macklemore & Ryan Lewis were nominated for seven Grammy awards at the 56th Annual Grammy Awards, winning four awards including Best New Artist, Best Rap Album (The Heist), Best Rap Song and Best Rap Performance ("Thrift Shop"). In 2013/14 they toured America and the world performing over 300 shows for millions of fans around the world.
With special thanks to the UNIVERSITY OF OREGON for presenting partnership, a world class stage design provided by HENRY V, an incredible legacy bound book provided by PREMIER PRESS and to the creative digital craft provided by INSTRUMENT. All of our "Perfect Partners" can be found here:www.tedxportlan...
In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized.* (*Subject to certain rules and regulations)

[@andromedalasso]

I like him more now than I ever did. Amazing last words.

[@LoukiaLemos123]

he has something so warm and calming in his voice. He grounds me. Love him

[@azam987654321]

cus hes white

[@LoukiaLemos123]

he could be pink and purple and i would still feel the same

[@MuseDuCafe]

Lucy El He is completely genuine, and without any pretenses or vanity.... that is super rare.

[@azam987654321]

MuseDuCafe "completely genuine" maybe you are easily fooled.

[@LoukiaLemos123]

MuseDuCafe i absolutely agree my friend!

[@HockeyRoyalsMan]

Hes so fucking RAW... he tells the honest truth about him self, and you can truly tell that he has excepted him self as a person which is probably why he makes such inspiring music. Love this guy

[@jasperoo.]

man macklemore. i bow down. kudos to you for using your platform in the way you want it. youre an idol. thank you. same love has gotten me through a really tough time.

[@CCCrypto]

Absolutely love Macklemore and everything he lives for, everything he's been through, he's so inspiring!

[@sunshinendrainbows27]

He's such a humble person and I am so lucky to have seen him in concert. He is so inspirational and raw. Gotta love him

[@fafaffu2]

Macklemore for president

[@OtiliaColceriu]

I always melt when he talks . Love him !

[@azam987654321]

cus hes white

[@alyssaxo7204]

azam987654321 ummm....

[@NickPowersMusic]

"Peeling off the layers of yourself until you get to a song." Wow, so well-said.

[@iawsomedude]

i fucking love macklemore

[@iawsomedude]

his songs have great messages too

[@iawsomedude]

yes their songs

[@blahhhh581]

I love you Ben, thanks for standing up for us, it means a lot! I was that kid walking around with pain in my heart and almost gave up. Wish you were around then, glad you're here now, God bless bro

[@natelyless469]

Wow so inspiring... I don't have any memories of watching an interview of a rapper, non of a male singer...But he is very clever, smart and a special person and he truly has always something to say. .I think the lyrics of his next album will be amazing and I can't wait it! Love what he said at the end of the interview which is something that affects me in particular as i struggle everyday with being perfect, and sometimes i just can't handle it..thinks macklemore you are such a good human being keep going

[@ej5364]

Macklemore and TEDTalks, two great things in one place!

[@demisemedia]

This guy is pretty intelligent.. i'm an artist myself and like he said, someone owning my art would be a horrible idea!

[@alicia8496]

he's so humble. you cannot help but love this guy.

[@viksra]

5:52 WTF IS THAT SOUND IT SCARED ME

[@Musicjunkie99]

Lol I know I thought he said a bad word or something

[@Neithernine]

demons

[@DPSTOH]

viksra SCARED THE FUCK OUT OF ME

[@nkaneti]

viksra ikr? and he was talking about demons before, i was like shit!

[@kurlozmakara2948]

Demons must hate Macklemore....

[@conduitofthegospeldarrellb9154]

While I dont truly enjoy his music as much as other artists, I can say with all honesty that I've always respected Maclemore since I first heard him back in 09. I also greatly admire his artistry, penmanship and passion. Well deserving artist. Great interview

[@themusiclover3192]

He is a great speaker!!!! Everybody is different, and so be it, being different is unique and great

[@bebespeaks7827]

I remember seeing Macklemore perform his own freestyle raps in Westlake Park during rush hour 2003-2010 right by the bus stop. He performed alongside a beat boxing DJing raver dude a lot.

[@mrconch7238]

what an honest and down to earth dude

[@razvanyke]

He is so genuine and real .. amazing.

[@tiphainerose]

10:06 when Ben smiles it's just aw

[@tactusmediacompany]

This is just what I needed. As a video producer it is often difficult to produce a piece when you know you can't do something less than "perfect" or at least your own idea of perfection. Don't do it for others, it has to be for yourself.

[@p5rsona]

Just create because you love to do it, dont let perfection stop you, dont worry about it being perfect. Just go out there and make stuff. Beautiful.

[@robertrunyan2511]

His explanation at 5:00. This is right on. Even with the 5000 or so hours I've accumulated playing piano I can clearly see where playing by order of a 'label' would kill the music. There is a certain authentic spirit that pours out of you when you play from the depths of your being. Most call it flow. It's much harder to reach that level if your reasons for pursuing music become financially driven or externally dictated by an organization. Something I am still struggling with today.

[@EpicBunty]

+Robert Runyan You should close your eyes, and tune the 5 senses out

[@MrZoomah]

I love the way he can take a compliment. So many people try to talk themselves down or up. He just accepts it.

[@carlc5146]

Macklemore is incredible

[@CarterAce]

that random scream sounded like something that would be on yeezus

[@goldmonkeymusic1756]

LIKE DAFUQ WAS THAT SCREAMMM

[@mawiiile706]

he sampled it for on sight

[@Drya4u]

at what time doooe

[@eymario]

5:53

[@RebelliousIntuition]

HAHAHAHAHH im dying

[@butterybiscuitss277]

MACKLEMORE FOR PRESIDENT 2020

[@iLMSquared]

Macklemore has great posture.

[@lisaharris4691]

I have gained so much respect for him now.

[@sexysexualsex5927]

TED talks are great. *"The easiest thing to do is to not live presently"* I think you guys could love the truthcontest website too. It´s probably the BEST way to get into the present.

[@trippygiphy6127]

+Sexy Sexual Sex Your name is silly but your suggestion is top-notch :)

[@emily54215]

wonderful soul. thank you for your words of warmth and wisdom

[@paulagarciacastillo1720]

Macklemore deserves the world, he's an amazing artist, an amazing person and someone to look up to

[@roselee1974]

Lol, love Macklemore's sense of humor, and humbleness

[@MitchMahoney]

*"All human beings deserve to love whoever they wanna love and nobody has the ability to tell them otherwise."*

[@JennaLynn]

Best ted talk I've seen. Well said Ben. Keep shining 💫

[@flowsimon]

Such an awesome guy, proud to have made history by going to your first show in Toronto, Canada. A venue of like 500 kids rocking out. A really visceral experience indeed.

[@emilierawlings2461]

Yes! The key is the present moment! That’s what I discovered recovering from a time of massive burnout several years ago. So true 💛

[@BrandonJoshuaMusic]

That scream's timing is questionable. Who's not going to think there possessed for a second when a video says "demons" and then a random high pitched scream happens.

[@daniels9720]

I'm as much of a grammar Nazi as you, but chill out on the insults. They're a bit much considering the size of the crime.

[@BrandonJoshuaMusic]

"Because it would be too humiliating explain to a foreigner". You forgot the word "to". Now I'm gonna get mad and throw a bitch fit about how stupid you are. And the last thing you are is "speechless". Don't study a language if you're gonna generalize the people who speak it. But honestly I think you're just a troll, and I'm wasting my time.

[@hibernate778]

that scared the sh** out of me lmao

[@ThePlugTurtle]

16 subscribers = being a failure? are you fucking stupid? since when is a persons worth rated by their subscriber count you shallow fool. grow up.

[@Terrex123]

Clearly, it's a secret Illuminati message.

[@airalopez6806]

He is so inspiring

[@650Pisces]

Wow his words really spoke to me..i sometimes overwhelm myself with my art and want it to be perfect. But thankfully im learning to let go of that mentality and just create art :) now i can freestyle better character concepts than i use to

[@Famizen]

Exactly what I needed to hear.

[@tarastheartisttv3629]

One day Macklemore. Il be writing a song wit you.

[@tarasivasyuk4946]

***** Thank you for giving me the drive to prove you wrong:)

[@tarasivasyuk4946]

peace is a good thing. don't be hating on the kid. Thanks Chad!

[@tarasivasyuk4946]

guys! noobs has his opinions. but there not facts. Thanks For the support chad. I don't know who you guys are and i never use you tube to I'm horrible with social media. but I'm not stoping for no one. I swear to to both of you that u will hear from me again. Have you two even heard my stuff tho? And macklemore is an inspiration to me ad I've noticed i think about the same shit he does. And ryan produces and i take not of what he does in my productions. Its a dream i had since before he got famous.

[@kuroneko4447]

You go !! Shoot for the moon

[@BueTAnderbeest]

***** Keep that spirit alive Taras! ")

[@coikzilla]

someone really needs to get Elliot Hulse on ted talk please. he is an inspiration in the fitness world.

[@ImSeaners]

5:52 WTF screams THEN silent X_X

[@KhasAdun1990]

+Im Seaners Their applause track glitched.

[@kipogden9589]

Scared the shit out of me lmao

[@ImSeaners]

Ok

[@lucaspeck3975]

+Im Seaners i know!! scared me dead!!

[@KJKP]

+Im Seaners It followed the statement, "We have demons." I've seen it happen on other shows, too.

[@o0o-jd-o0o95]

good ole griffy jr ... I'm from Cincinnati so that hits home a little bit . Which is where his father played and Junior played .most of his career as a mariner but indeed was in Cincinnati also

[@coledietrich798]

this is a side of a artist i really respect

[@samsquanch197]

Ken Griffel Jr., Jay Buehner, Randy Johnson, Oh god those were the days wait shit how old am I

[@dmore1225]

How about Steve Largent?

[@1991maia]

i just wanted to thank you simply for being yourself. This world it is so fucked up, just seeing you act like a real imperfect person is refreshing, as we all are, create is against hate... one of this videos at this moment of my life is reconfortable.

[@fallingwithfriendsband]

This is important. So great!

[@christinamoldovan9275]

Awwww... love this talk. Stay strong and keep doing what you're doing M!

[@e.rvanrood7373]

Mack is perfect!!!!!!

[@guillaumeraymond9597]

Thank you for inspiring me !

[@JeremiahFernandez]

Macklemore is friggin awesome

[@buddhistduck9600]

Demons... Quuuuahhh!

[@yeh.o]

WTF WAS THAT?!

[@lets.get.intoit.]

I adore Ben. He's so gracious, amusing, intelligent and a true artist. I always feel humbled after watching him speak. It's a pity he was paired up with a Will Ferrell-type interviewer who looked like he was getting fed his questions through his earpiece, but Ben shone regardless. Thanks, Mack. Hope someday someone will ask you about your view on women's issues because it comes through in your work but you never get to speak about it.

[@mCsKiMMeR]

such a well spoken guy

[@Breakbeats92.5]

Omfg that Ken Griffey Jr. rookie card was the Holy Grail of card collecting. I remember this kid had two of them at the Scottish Rite Center card show here in San Diego when i was a kid and I was sooooo jealous of him. Great memories.

[@marilarsen9120]

Corey Cavalier omg. I have one. It was my deceased brother's. I remember KGJr. was like THE baseball idol for young athletes at that time, as Macklemore is inspirational to folks now, young and old!

[@bobbymoravcic2521]

Amazing talk...Respect

[@MeelaPaloma]

Thank you for sharing this part of your self. We are all humans with good days and not so good days. Thank you most of all for making beautiful, fun and inspiring music. #FreelLancingAintFree

[@irinagonzalez2988]

The interviewer is weird AF. There're several inconfortable silences.

[@insomniacsnorlax]

Nice talk. I respect this man even though I'm not a huge fan of his music.

[@9385dee7]

what the fuck was that audio edit at 5:54 lol

[@gorgonsonofskrygorn1826]

Right after FUCKIN DEMONS A WEIRD ASS SCREAM WTF

[@DungNgo-hl5ye]

Ben deserved a better interviewer, this guy is just so awkward he ruined all the good moments from Ben.

[@gorgonsonofskrygorn1826]

True

[@edwardaguilar3537]

Thank you for the advice mackelmore, really helped :)

[@currentlyindisguise8322]

I love him so much

[@miraclelouis2563]

If Macklemore was president... 💯💯💯❤

[@Heather42184]

Miracle Louis yes!!!!!!!!!! he would have my vote ♡

[@carlyhansen3440]

Don't worry, just Create your art. That is the essence of the human existence.

[@kuroneko4447]

Very well said

[@TheSoundofRainfall]

what the fuck happened @5:53?

[@NadavIgra]

"we have demons..."

[@Rexl]

Nadav Igra lol

[@ShawnKingTV]

pretty creepy!

[@hehehe1991able]

Nadav Igra its a really sick jock lool

[@AllBeefNoTeef]

There was no real audience so they have to make the sounds off of a computer. They must have hit a button or something.

[@grrfilter]

wtf was that scream, geezus

[@goldmonkeymusic1756]

IKR!! FK ME. Especially right after he said demond lol

[@grrfilter]

thinking about it makes me angry lol

[@whatisiswhatable]

Interviewer is quite the douche

[@alexandertaggart9571]

Macklemore has this aura that I see only in my alpha friends who bust their asses. It's an rock solid foundation of character that one can only develop through ridiculous hard work. It's an unspeakable commanding presence. The curator attempts to mirror the presence, but really he is not even close to the same level as Macklemore and it creates a tension in this video and comes across as a phoneyness that turns me off big time.

[@mattw1730]

RESPECT.

[@kuroneko4447]

I had never heard of that song before so thank you for introducing me

[@leslielucyameto2603]

Great!!

[@mariselamartinez6494]

I wanna share the stage with macklemore

[@BlackringIII]

that noise at 5:53 made my heart jump out of my a**

[@C2G2]

Wtf was that noise at 5:54? Creepy. For real😲😲😯😯😓😓

[@Мнескучно-г2х]

Ikr

[@RachelShakedown63]

yooooo i felt like i was in an AA meeting every time macklemore spoke with all his wisdom n shit

[@bebespeaks7827]

I also saw him performing in music videos with Grynch back in 2008-2012 before he was famous.

[@mraintv7001]

Personally I don't listen to his music. But I like his outlook on life. :)

[@KJKP]

I never heard of Macklemore. But, what he says at 5:00 is some true wisdom. If you want to understand why, watch "They Sold Their Souls for Rock 'n Roll."

[@StephenHolland-Wildstephy]

i think that screech sound is them cutting off the crowd laughing

[@BirdRunHD]

"Sobriety is a struggle. I wear it as a badge. It's who I am, you can't hide from it." I couldn't agree more. The whole part about Mariners...why the sell out? You're google. You sell out to no one. Anyway, this Mariners thing is a, "Non-issue." What is the meaning of this distraction? Sad Face. Skip to 2:20 for the START. 3:20 is this guy serious? Who writes songs on a type writer? Is this guy incompetent or something else going on here I am not detecting? 9:10 you can see he is nearly paralyzed with fear and nursing food poisoning. This is the power of money and contractual enslavement. I'm pretty sure he didn't want to go on stage but the show must go on! Am I right? LOL? 16:50 I get it. It's about the journey and not the destination. It's about making the attempt not about reaching the goal. No fear. No fear. No fear. 18:29 Strong finish. Could have ended it right after this joke. Macklemore, is his own master. This joke proves it. More of this please. Bravo! Well played, Macklemore. This is very interesting. Thank you for this gift. ABSOLUTELY.

[@guitarsinger7382]

Great one! "Hey Mum" Hahahaha the best!

[@Barbalooful]

great aware guy, love the vibe, I would say thank you first,

[@JillianP-pr8do]

2nd time watching this and I actually really like this talk!!! Makes you think!!!

[@gorgonsonofskrygorn1826]

Yeah

[@tylerzwhatz]

wait so how did he make it to the grammys without a major label, im like mind blown right now

[@eduardojuarez4172]

Check this out. That's why he deserved every single Grammy he earned. Personally at the time I felt Kendrick deserved a Grammy. I felt he deserved them all, but then I realized that it is nearly impossible to make it to the Grammies by just being local, and earring fame by KZbin. That is why whenever people talked shit about More saying he's no Kendrick with the raps. It may be true they're both different styles only difference is Kendrick had famously known Dr. Dre. Macklemore had who? Ryan Lewis. Point is he made it with talent and skill is what I am saying.

[@jannisdirksen4911]

excellent!

[@atomicfrogproductionsllc6375]

Tomorrow Does Not Exist, All We Have is Today; It is a Good Day To Live Forever; is This a Riddle yes; I want to Thrive and Survive as others see no Today...

[@GabIzcoTV]

i love you so much

[@joem4106]

why does visitscotland come up as the advert before this video, do you think? do they know gingers love Macklemore :) ?

[@MsGnor]

*sigh* love him

[@shakyongsim]

Everybody else: Always live in the present! Macklemore: Never live in the present! Dang that's some deep stuff going on there

[@originaozz]

The interviewer is so bad at it, he's so awkward I literally cringe. Thank you Macklemore for such sincere talk. Self-pressure always get in the way of my work, sometimes I'm bad at failures. But he's proven that you don't need big words to touched people's hearts.

[@dakotarobinson7594]

Play it back listen to 5:52 !!?? What the hell?