Rhetorical Analysis of Macklemore’s song “Otherside”
Drug use and addiction impact families, relationships and mental health. It is something that is so often seen and talked about within music and celebrities. Which in turn, can be easily glorified and encourage young people to give drugs a try. Macklemore, a rap artist and his producer wrote a song that sheds truth on addiction and the consequences that come forth with those choices. This song speaks of raw experience, deep regret, and how to overcome, despite peer pressure from others.
Macklemore and his producer Ryan Lewis are 4-time Grammy winners and have a platinum album. They are a well-respected duo and have many fans throughout the world. His style of writing is that of honesty which has a persuasive tone within it. This song is speaking to all those who have or are struggling with drug addiction, the peer pressure of drugs and also those who have been affected by this disease. Macklemore is writing from a place of experience and his purpose is to speak truth about the non-glamourous lifestyle, in hopes to encourage his listeners that change can happen. He begins by giving a vivid picture of a boat in the water that is close to sinking and wants to sail far away from it all.
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For example, within his lyrics he writes about wanting to act and rap like his favorite artists, which led him to use the same drugs that they worshiped in their songs. He also writes about getting lost in his days by doing the same things and “months later I’m in the same place, no music made, feeling like a failure”. Macklemore has been known to be very honest about his past drug use and his experience going to rehab. He recognizes his past and wrote this song to convey to his fans how serious addictions can