Ben Haggerty was born in Seattle, Washington, on June 19, 1983, one of two sons born to Bill Haggerty and Julie Schott. He was raised with his brother Tim in Seattle's Capitol Hill neighborhood. He has Irish heritage and was raised Catholic. Haggerty was six years old when hip hop first came into his life by way of Digital Underground. At the age of 15, he began to write lyrics.
At the time he started to sing, Haggerty listened to "a lot of East Coast underground hip-hop", listing Hieroglyphics, Freestyle Fellowship, Aceyalone, Living Legends, Wu-Tang Clan, Mobb Deep, Nas, and Talib Kweli as his major influences. He was interested in reaching a younger generation through his music and became part of a program focusing on education and cultural identity called "Gateways for Incarcerated Youth", where he facilitated music workshops. Haggerty attended Garfield High School and Nathan Hale High School. At Hale, he developed the stage name "Professor Macklemore" for an art project involving a made-up superhero, and at Garfield, he started a hip-hop group named Elevated Elements with other students. The group released an album, Progress, in 2000.
Haggerty enrolled at the College of Santa Fe for a year, later saying in an interview that "it was a very pivotal time in a lot of ways. Santa Fe was the place where I got good at rapping". After not getting into the music program, he moved back to Seattle. Haggerty later enrolled at The Evergreen State College in Olympia and completed his bachelor's degree in 2009.
On his debut album, The Language of My World, Macklemore drafts a lyrical landscape of classic proportions. This record is teeming with energy and ambition, serving as a fitting debut for one of this country's most promising young artists. Macklemore's gift, like that of all great songwriters, is his ability to speak on universal experiences in a uniquely personal way. Throughout The Language of My World, Macklemore consistently addresses topics that are uncomfortable or taboo, in an attempt to exorcise his own personal demons.
Macklemore's second mixtape, The Unplanned Mixtape, was released on September 7, 2009. It would later reach No. 7 on the iTunes Hip Hop chart. The mixtape was accompanied by the singles "The Town" and "And We Danced", the latter of which featured singer Ziggy Stardust. "The Town" was later remixed by Sabzi of the Blue Scholars.
His music is inspirational, filled with social and racial consciousness, as well as a constructive political vision. He's also funny as hell, making music that is at once hilarious and affecting. Born and raised in Seattle's Capitol Hill neighborhood Macklemore has been an integral part of the Seattle hip-hop scene for the past 7 years. He developed his style and character as part of Elevated Elements, which he founded when he was just 14 years old, and quickly moved on to pursue his solo career. From these humble beginnings Macklemore has matured, both as a songwriter and performer, into an artist who is clearly beginning to realize his near limitless potential.
Macklemore's and Ryan Lewis's single "Thrift Shop" reached number one on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 in 2013. The single was dubbed by Billboard as the first song since 1994 to top the Hot 100 chart without the support of a major record label; however Macklemore, in a slightly unusual recording contract, pays a nominal percentage of sales to use Warner Bros. Records's radio promotion department to push his singles. Their second single, "Can't Hold Us", also peaked at number one on the Hot 100 chart, making Macklemore and Lewis the first duo in the chart's history to have their first two singles both reach the peak position. Their debut studio album The Heist was released on 9 October 2012, and charted at number 2 on the U.S. Billboard 200. The duo won four Grammy Awards at the 2014 ceremony, including Best New Artist, Best Rap Album (The Heist), Best Rap Song and Best Rap Performance ("Thrift Shop").
Macklemore's and Lewis's second album, This Unruly Mess I've Made, was released on February 26, 2016. In June 2017, Macklemore released "Glorious", a single featuring Skylar Grey, which marked his return to the music industry as well as his first major single produced without Lewis since his mainstream breakthrough. Macklemore released a second solo studio album, Gemini, in September that year.
On October 29, 2021, Macklemore released a new single titled "Next Year", featuring American singer Windser. Macklemore also worked with Ryan Lewis on the single, marking their first collaboration in three years.
On July 22, 2022, Macklemore released a new single, "Chant", featuring Australian musician Tones and I. On August 19, 2022, Macklemore released the single, "Maniac", featuring American musician Windser.
Macklemore's third solo studio album, Ben, was released on March 3, 2023.
white walls
Macklemore Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I wanna just live
Inside my Cadillac, that is my shit
Now throw it up (I throw that up)
That's what it is (that's what it is)
In my C-A-D-I-L-L-A-C, bitch (biatch)
Can't see me through my tints (nah ah)
And my paint wet, dripping, shining like my 24s (umbrella)
I don't got 24s (nuh-uh)
But I'm on those Vogues
That's those big white walls, round them hundred spokes
Old school like Olde English in that brown paper bag
I'm rolling in that same whip that my granddad had
Hello haters, damn y'all mad
30K on the Caddy, now how backpack rap is that?
I got that off-black Cadillac, midnight drive
Got that gas pedal, leaning back, taking my time
I'm rolling that roof off, letting in sky
I shine, the city never looked so bright
Man, I'm lounging
In some shit Bernie Mac would've been proud of
Looking down from heaven like damn that's stylish
Smilin', don't pay attention to the mileage
Can I hit the freeway? Illegally going a hundred and twenty
Easy weaving in and out of the traffic
They cannot catch me, I'm smashing
I'm ducking, bucking them out here
I'm looking fucking fantastic, I am up in a classic
Now I know what it's like under the city lights
Riding into the night, driving over the bridge
The same one we walked across as kids
Knew I'd have a whip, but never one like this
Old school, old school, candy paint, two seater
Yea, I'm from Seattle, there's hella Honda Civics
I couldn't tell you about paint either
But I really wanted a Caddy so I put in the hours
And rolled up over to the dealer
And I found the car I dreamed of, placed a bargain with this geezer
Got the keys in as I was leaving I started screaming
I got that off-black Cadillac, midnight drive
Got that gas pedal, leaning back, taking my time
I'm rolling that roof off, letting in sky
I shine, the city never looked so bright
Backwoods and dope
White hoes in the backseat snortin' coke
She doing line after line like she's writing rhymes
I had her inhalin' my love, tryna blow her mind
Cadillac pimpin', my uncle was on
14, I stole his keys, me and my niggas was gone
Stealing portions of his liquor, water in his Patron
Driving smiling like I won the fucking lottery homes
(Fuckin' lottery homes)
Tires with the spokes on it, and the Vogues too
Mustard and mayonnaise, keepin' the buns all on
My dogs hanging out the window
Young as whoosh, fucking like we ball
Tryna fuck 'em all
Never park the whip, see what's poppin' at the mall
Meet a bad bitch, slap her booty with my paw
You can smoke the pussy, I was tearing down the walls
I'm motherfuckin' awe some
Swear these sights tryna hypnotize
Grip the leather steering wheel way I grip the thighs
See the lust stuck up in her eyes
Maybe she like the ride or did she like the smoke?
Or does she want it low?
'Cause this shit a Coupe de Ville so you never know
So we cruise for minutes, my nigga fuck the limit
Got a window tinted, for sure a gangsta in it
Slide 'til the gas is finished, Q
Off-black Cadillac, midnight drive
Got that gas pedal, leaning back, taking my time
I'm rolling that roof off, letting in sky
I shine, the city never looked so bright
Got that off-black Cadillac, midnight drive
Got that gas pedal, leaning back, taking my time
I'm rolling that roof off, letting in sky
I shine, the city never looked so bright
The lyrics to Macklemore & Ryan Lewis's "White Walls" describe the freedom of cruising the city in a Cadillac, a symbol of success and luxury. The singer expresses his desire to be free and just live his life, and the car provides that escape for him. He boasts about his Cadillac with its wet paint and big white walls on its tires, resembling the cars from the old days. The lyrics also touch upon the theme of status and materialism, with the singer flaunting the expensive car and the money he spent on it. The last verse takes a dark turn, with the mention of drugs and promiscuous behavior, but still depicts the excitement and joy of cruising in a Cadillac.
Line by Line Meaning
I wanna be free
I want to live life on my own terms without any restrictions.
I wanna just live
I want to live life to the fullest without any regrets.
Inside my Cadillac, that is my shit
I feel like a boss when I am driving my favorite car, a Cadillac.
Now throw it up (I throw that up)
I am showing my love for my car by throwing up my arms in the air.
That's what it is (that's what it is)
That's exactly how I feel and there's nothing more to it.
In my C-A-D-I-L-L-A-C, bitch (biatch)
I am flaunting my Cadillac and anyone who has a problem with that can deal with it.
Can't see me through my tints (nah ah)
My car windows are tinted so darkly that nobody can see me inside.
I'm riding real slow (slow motion)
I'm driving slowly, enjoying the ride and taking it easy.
And my paint wet, dripping, shining like my 24s (umbrella)
The wet paint on my car is shining and sparkling, just like the rims on my wheels.
I don't got 24s (nuh-uh)
I don't actually have 24-inch rims on my car, but it still looks great.
But I'm on those Vogues
I have expensive and stylish Vogue tires on my car instead.
That's those big white walls, round them hundred spokes
The tires on my car have white sidewalls and a lot of spokes, making them stand out.
Old school like Olde English in that brown paper bag
My car has an old school vibe, like the cheap malt liquor Olde English that used to be sold in brown paper bags.
I'm rolling in that same whip that my granddad had
I am driving the same type of car that my grandfather used to drive, which makes me feel proud and nostalgic.
Hello haters, damn y'all mad
I am acknowledging that some people might be jealous of my car, but I don't care.
30K on the Caddy, now how backpack rap is that?
I spent a lot of money on my Cadillac, which might seem contradictory to the humble roots of backpack rap.
Man, I'm lounging
I am relaxing and enjoying my ride.
In some shit Bernie Mac would've been proud of
The late comedian Bernie Mac would have been impressed with my stylish car.
Looking down from heaven like damn that's stylish
I imagine that Bernie Mac is looking down from heaven and admiring my car.
Smilin', don't pay attention to the mileage
I am happy and unconcerned with the high mileage on my car.
Can I hit the freeway? Illegally going a hundred and twenty
I am asking if I can speed on the freeway and go over 120 miles per hour, which is illegal.
Easy weaving in and out of the traffic
I am confident in my driving skills and can easily navigate through traffic.
They cannot catch me, I'm smashing
I feel unstoppable because nobody can catch me while I am driving so fast.
I'm ducking, bucking them out here
I am avoiding getting caught by the police and I'm making quick turns to confuse them.
I'm looking fucking fantastic, I am up in a classic
I look amazing while driving my classic Cadillac.
Now I know what it's like under the city lights
I am experiencing what it's like to drive through the city at night, under the bright lights.
Riding into the night, driving over the bridge
I am driving into the night and over a bridge, enjoying the sights and sounds of the city.
The same one we walked across as kids
I am crossing the same bridge that I used to walk across as a child.
Knew I'd have a whip, but never one like this
I always knew that I would eventually have a car, but I never expected it to be as amazing as this Cadillac.
Old school, old school, candy paint, two seater
My car is old school with candy-colored paint and only has two seats.
Yea, I'm from Seattle, there's hella Honda Civics
I am from Seattle where there are a lot of Honda Civics on the road, but my Cadillac is unique.
I couldn't tell you about paint either
I don't know much about car paint, but I still made sure my Cadillac looked amazing.
But I really wanted a Caddy so I put in the hours
I worked hard and put in a lot of effort to be able to afford and maintain my Cadillac.
And rolled up over to the dealer
I went to a car dealer to find the perfect Cadillac for me.
And I found the car I dreamed of, placed a bargain with this geezer
I negotiated a good deal with the car dealer and finally got the Cadillac of my dreams.
Got the keys in as I was leaving I started screaming
I was so excited when I finally got the keys to my Cadillac that I started screaming with joy.
Backwoods and dope
I am smoking marijuana and Backwoods cigars in my car.
White hoes in the backseat snortin' coke
There are white women in the backseat snorting cocaine.
She doing line after line like she's writing rhymes
The woman is snorting cocaine excessively, like she is writing lines of rap lyrics.
I had her inhalin' my love, tryna blow her mind
I convinced the woman to inhale my marijuana smoke as well, in an attempt to impress her and make her feel good.
Cadillac pimpin', my uncle was on
My uncle was a pimp and drove a Cadillac, and I am now taking after him in his style and car preference.
14, I stole his keys, me and my niggas was gone
When I was 14 years old, I stole my uncle's Cadillac keys and went on joyrides with my friends.
Stealing portions of his liquor, water in his Patron
We also would steal alcohol from my uncle and mix water into his expensive Patron tequila to avoid getting caught.
Driving smiling like I won the fucking lottery homes
We felt like we had won the lottery because we were driving a Cadillac and felt like royalty.
(Fuckin' lottery homes)
We were laughing and celebrating our good luck.
Tires with the spokes on it, and the Vogues too
My Cadillac had expensive and stylish tires with a lot of spokes as well as Vogue tires.
Mustard and mayonnaise, keepin' the buns all on
We were eating hot dogs with mustard and mayonnaise and making sure the buns didn't fall apart while we were driving.
My dogs hanging out the window
My friends were hanging out of the car window, enjoying the ride and feeling free.
Young as whoosh, fucking like we ball
We were partying and acting wild, feeling invincible and like we were on top of the world.
Tryna fuck 'em all
We were trying to hook up with as many women as possible while cruising around in the Cadillac.
Never park the whip, see what's poppin' at the mall
We never stopped driving and would go from place to place, seeing what was happening and looking for excitement.
Meet a bad bitch, slap her booty with my paw
When we saw an attractive woman, I would slap her butt with my hand like a paw.
You can smoke the pussy, I was tearing down the walls
We were smoking marijuana and having sex with women, feeling like we were unstoppable and breaking down barriers.
I'm motherfuckin' awesome
I feel extremely confident and incredible.
Swear these sights tryna hypnotize
I am entranced by the sights and sounds of the city and feel like they are hypnotizing me.
Grip the leather steering wheel way I grip the thighs
I grip the leather steering wheel of my Cadillac the same way I grip a woman's thighs when having sex.
See the lust stuck up in her eyes
I see that the woman who is riding with me in my car is filled with lust and desires me.
Maybe she like the ride or did she like the smoke?
I am wondering if the woman is attracted to me or just enjoys the experience of smoking marijuana and riding in my Cadillac.
Or does she want it low?
I am wondering if the woman desires a low rider car instead of my Cadillac.
'Cause this shit a Coupe de Ville so you never know
My Cadillac is a Coupe de Ville, which is not the most common car, so it's hard to know what people will think of it.
So we cruise for minutes, my nigga fuck the limit
We continue driving around, ignoring the speed limit and feeling free.
Got a window tinted, for sure a gangsta in it
I have very dark window tinting, which makes my car look like it belongs to a gangster.
Slide 'til the gas is finished
We plan on driving until we run out of gas, enjoying the ride until the very end.
Q
The end of the song, a shoutout to the music producer Q.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Ben Haggerty, Quincey Hanley, Ryan Lewis
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind