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Macklemore is a rare example of an artist who achieves massive commercial success while being as political as ever. This is largely because he operates as an independent artist free from the constraints of major label contracts and PR strategists policing his every move. This independence makes the Seattle hitmaker feel authentic, though it sometimes invites controversy. A notable example is when Macklemore openly stated that Kendrick Lamar’s Good Kid, M.A.A.D City deserved the Grammy for Best Hip-Hop Album over his and Ryan Lewis’s debut. It wasn’t just humility but also a critique of the systemic racism that the Grammys have struggled to address for years. Still, comparing the two was like matching apples to oranges. Macklemore doesn’t just fit neatly into the typical hip-hop mold; he’s carved out his own space. This individuality is nowhere more apparent than on his latest album, BEN, where he effortlessly shifts between being a socially conscious boom-bap poet and a party-starter with infectious hooks and melodies. Now, he’s bringing it all – along with past hits – to the main stage at the Gurten Festival. Ready?