Macklemore And Ryan Lewis Go “Downtown” With Old School Flavored New Single

Remember “Growing Up” the touching song rapper Macklemore wrote about the birth of his daughter Sloane that was released earlier this month along with a touching note? Well, the dynamic duo of Macklemore and Ryan Lewis are following that song, which they have now described as a “personal moment of expression”, with their sophomore album’s actual lead single. “Downtown”, which was world premiered on LA’s 102.7 KIIS FM, Thursday morning. The duo called into the nationally syndicated On Air With Ryan Seacrest to discuss their new tune’s nostalgic feel.

“It took a really, really long time to make this one,” they said. “We spent like a year and a half on it. It is a song celebrating the love of two wheels — whether that be a moped or a motorcycle. It has legends: Melle Mel, Kool Moe Dee, Grandmaster Caz, Eric Nally. It is taking you back to the textures and styles of the late ’70s, early ’80s and sort of putting that origin sound of hip-hop and what rock music was doing at the time side-by-side on a single record.”

Macklemore added, “That’s the first time that they’ve ever recorded on one record. So that was really awesome to have that moment be shared on one of our songs.”

The song is a refreshingly new take on old school flavor, and is a fantastically fun follow up to The Heist. Check it out below!

Macklemore And Ryan Lewis 

“Downtown” (Explicit Lyrics) 

Macklemore, LLC/ADA/Warner Bros Records