Macklemore - Contradiction Lyrics






The other day, me and XP opened for Souls Mischief
I'm like "Yo, let's get on some angry MC showmanship and hit 'em"
Rocked all the cocky songs and not too many soulful lyrics
Even a couple dissin' women callin' 'em groupies, hoes, and bitches
Got off stage, and I'm like "Yo, I know that we killed it"
Ran into a familiar face, a female who comes in and supports us
I said "Peace!" She said "Wait! Let me talk to you for a minute
I know it's none of my business, but I wasn't impressed by your performance."
I said "Word? Shit, I love feedback and criticism"
She said "I miss the passionate spirit, your political vision
Quite honestly I wasn't offended by those references to women
But you're only continuing society's conditioning"
It hit the heart of me
I told her that this was part of me
I stand up for human rights, and treat others how I would wanna be treated
But every song can't be seepin' with freedom
'Cause the other side of me is sexist then people will feel that I'm preachin'
"Everything's peace and love?" uhh, that's somewhat misleading
Because this world is fucked-up and I'm a pro-duct to what I'm seeing
Not to justify, but just to touch on my being
I learn from these verses and my purpose gets surfaced with demons
Now I am sexist, I'm prejudice, I put that in my music
She said she heard that perspective, but before she turned around
She said "We have a flame, your fire's ignited with sound
Are you building the empire up, or using your fire to burn it down?"

[Chorus: x2]
Consumption, contradiction. I'm conflicted with being a hypocrite,
And through these songs you can witness it.
The differences, I admit this shit, because I'm just like you;
Walking a fine line between saying and living it.

[Overvoice:]
Light it up to burn it down, light it up to burn it down
Light it up to burn it down, down, down
Light it up to burn it down, light it up to burn it down
Light it up to burn it... down, down, down, down, down, down, down

Now one thing that I've always struggled on
Is how to incorporate drugs and alcohol into my music
Outside of sober songs
'Cause on that perspective, that's all over my records
But the other side isn't represented unless it sessions with XP
How can I admit that I love to smoke weed
Knowing the kids are listening and many of 'em look up to me?
Not to say that I'm a role model
But I know that words are power
And if I condone bottles and chronic, I am sending out the
Message "It's okay," hey I believe that it is. Chronic can be medicine
But it's all about your relationship with it
See I'm either off in the wagon riding and everyday with the spliff
Constantly looking for a balance but habit turns to addiction
And hip-hop music & weed: they're inseparable
So MCs that don't smoke or drink, talking about it to me seems questionable
It proves how much people just want to be accepted
And not seem straight-edge to their audience, so keeping it real is neglected
'Cause when I'm smoking, I wouldn't wanna bump a song like this
Put on some Devin, break out the Swishers and a bong and some licks
See that's a part of me too
And I know that I would make more money if I wasn't as true
To all the stuggles of the blunted consumption I'm going through
Make music for the party, and the people support you
I burn Brother Ali and buy 50, what does that say to you?
Bring it back around
Am I building the empire up or using my fire to burn it down?

[Chorus x2]





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Macklemore Contradiction Comments
  1. A.... B....

    The other day, me and XP opened for Souls Mischief
    I'm like "Yo, let's get on some angry MC showmanship and hit 'em"
    Rocked all the cocky songs and not too many soulful lyrics
    Even a couple dissin' women callin' 'em groupies, hoes, and bitches
    Got off stage, and I'm like "Yo, I know that we killed it"
    Ran into a familiar face, a female who comes in and supports us
    I said "Peace!" She said "Wait! Let me talk to you for a minute
    I know it's none of my business, but I wasn't impressed by your performance."
    I said "Word? Shit, I love feedback and criticism"
    She said "I miss the passionate spirit, your political vision
    Quite honestly I wasn't offended by those references to women
    But you're only continuing society's conditioning"
    It hit the heart of me
    I told her that this was part of me
    I stand up for human rights, and treat others how I would wanna be treated
    But every song can't be seepin' with freedom
    'Cause the other side of me is sexist then people will feel that I'm preachin'
    "Everything's peace and love?" uhh, that's somewhat misleading
    Because this world is fucked-up and I'm a pro-duct to what I'm seeing
    Not to justify, but just to touch on my being
    I learn from these verses and my purpose gets surfaced with demons
    Now I am sexist, I'm prejudice, I put that in my music
    She said she heard that perspective, but before she turned around
    She said "We have a flame, your fire's ignited with sound
    Are you building the empire up, or using your fire to burn it down?"

    [Chorus: x2]
    Consumption, contradiction. I'm conflicted with being a hypocrite,
    And through these songs you can witness it.
    The differences, I admit this shit, because I'm just like you;
    Walking a fine line between saying and living it.

    [Overvoice:]
    Light it up to burn it down, light it up to burn it down
    Light it up to burn it down, down, down
    Light it up to burn it down, light it up to burn it down
    Light it up to burn it... down, down, down, down, down, down, down

    Now one thing that I've always struggled on
    Is how to incorporate drugs and alcohol into my music
    Outside of sober songs
    'Cause on that perspective, that's all over my records
    But the other side isn't represented unless it sessions with XP
    How can I admit that I love to smoke weed
    Knowing the kids are listening and many of 'em look up to me?
    Not to say that I'm a role model
    But I know that words are power
    And if I condone bottles and chronic, I am sending out the
    Message "It's okay," hey I believe that it is. Chronic can be medicine
    But it's all about your relationship with it
    See I'm either off in the wagon riding and everyday with the spliff
    Constantly looking for a balance but habit turns to addiction
    And hip-hop music & weed: they're inseparable
    So MCs that don't smoke or drink, talking about it to me seems questionable
    It proves how much people just want to be accepted
    And not seem straight-edge to their audience, so keeping it real is neglected
    'Cause when I'm smoking, I wouldn't wanna bump a song like this
    Put on some Devin, break out the Swishers and a bong and some licks
    See that's a part of me too
    And I know that I would make more money if I wasn't as true
    To all the stuggles of the blunted consumption I'm going through
    Make music for the party, and the people support you
    I burn Brother Ali and buy 50, what does that say to you?
    Bring it back around
    Am I building the empire up or using my fire to burn it down?

    [Chorus x2]

  2. G.... J....

    That lyric at 3:28 "... I burn brother ali, what does that say to you..." was that a diss to Brother Ali? If it is thats cool, I guess. But, I just wanna know.

    G.... J....

    It wasn't a personal diss He was speaking on how contradictory his views are by Burning Brother Ali Music while Purchasing 50 Cent. It's actually deep alot of people Burn insightful music but buy the shit they know is rotten for the brain, but it bumps hard. When it's all said and done everyone living is a Contradiction.......

    G.... J....

    I've always wondered this, never got that he was saying "and buy 50". I thought he said "i burn brother ali in about 50" and just thought he made no sense haha

    G.... J....

    lol except it's aged poorly since noone buys music anyone, they just stream it.

  3. z.... k....

    This song is fuck'n great.

  4. S.... C....

    "JAZZ BEAT IS SICK"

  5. F.... T....

    HE DEFINITELY MEANT DEVIN THA DUDE CAUSE THIS TRACK IS SOMETHING I COULD HEAR HIM ON, BUT BESIDES THAT MAN MACKLAMORE BEEN PUTTING DOWN LIKE THIS, AND WAS UNDER THE RADAR?! SHIT MAN RAP FANS SHOULDN'T ALLOW BIG LABELS AND RADIO STATIONS DICTATE WHAT'S HOT I MEAN IT'S FUNNY HOW THE HEIST IS BEING SHITTED ON BY ALOT OF PEOPLE BUT THAT ALBUM IS AN INDEPENDENT RELEASE AND I GUESS HE FIGURED LET ME MAKE HIT RECORDS INSTEAD OF SONGS HE SUCCEEDED BUT MAN HIS NEW SOUND IS JUST SO POPular SOUNDING AWW MAN SAD IT ISN'T LIKE THIS ANYMORE....

  6. a.... b....

    Truest artist and person that have and will ever live

  7. 1.... ....

    word... Macklemore came from drinking, pills, syrups and whatnot, and I don't condone that stuff at all. As he said chronic can be medicine, if it's not abused. That's why I'm down to bump a song like this instead of some "let's get fucked up" anthem when I do smoke... keeps a wider perspective, and for that I thank him.

  8. H.... C....

    So what, I honestly do not like people with Down Syndrome and I admit that, but I respect them unless given an extreme reason not to. That's pretty much what he's saying in this song. Yes he's sexist but he doesn't let that take him over he still has his ignorant side but is still moral.

  9. a.... ....

    your point is?

  10. L.... G....

    I discovered Macklemore after Thrift Shop, but it doesn't mean.. I love him. I love all his songs

  11. N.... R....

    Not that I dislike his new popular stuff, but this album was so great, it was hard to follow it up imo. I'm very happy he finally made it, but wish songs like this one were on the radio instead. I don't feel like he's sold out by any means, I just want people to be more educated on just why and how he made it in the first place. When you've loved an artist for so many years you start feeling like a parent I guess haha, proud! defensive! etc.

  12. J.... W....

    Do you understand that Macklemore writes about his addictions and how the social media has warped this new generations (which I am apart of) morals and I understand your point of view because I used to feel the same way. but can you please not write things like this on a macklemore song because I know a lot of recovering addicts who visit these song all the time and, his music doesn't condone that message. I mean no disrespect I just wanted you to realize that he is such a powerful influence.

  13. D.... C....

    Sensible lyrics with an important message...just lean back and chillin'

  14. M.... I....

    Ugh, Macklemore. He's literally perf, all his songs are absolutely superb. I'm glad that I discovered him through Thrift Shop, 'cause he has so many fantastic, meaningful songs that go unnoticed.

  15. j.... ....

    Right here.

  16. S.... ....

    i hate the fact that when you say macklemore everyone thinks thrift shop :/
    he has so many good songs and never goes wrong.

  17. J.... D....

    just b.c you havnt been listenin to him for years doesnt mean you not a fan ;D

  18. E.... H....

    You don't get the point of his songs.. do you? 3:

  19. A.... Z....

    I am the exact same way.

  20. K.... W....

    Song wasn't produced by Lewis

  21. a.... v....

    i think here the real genius is ryan lewis, the one that has made him triumph

  22. 1.... ....

    when I'm smokin... I'm so down to bump a song like this. Nothing wrong with gettin a little high and hearing some truth.

  23. B.... ....

    so true. I embarrassingly admit I found him through Thrift Shop... but after hearing his other songs (My Oh My, Otherside, Starting Over, and of course Same Love and Can't Hold Us) I actually dislike Thrift Shop now and understand/appreciate his music on such a deeper level. He's actually shown me a lot about myself through his lyrics.

  24. B.... S....

    I am a thrift shop fan:)I am listening to all is music. Oh me gosh. I AM IN LOVE

  25. K.... B....

    macklemore should keep going without a record label

  26. A.... A....

    I'm a thrift shop fan.

  27. k.... s....

    100% agree with you my man 1 true artist id love to show him some of my lyrics and pick at his brain genius is all i can say!!!

  28. J.... T....

    I created a youtube account simply to express my thoughts on undergrounds previous best and now mainstreams best rapper. Macklemore is changing the music it isnt changing him, just as he told us to do. This man is and will continue to be the only guy in his own type of specific rap genre. Its his lyrics and topics that sets him so much apart from everyone else. I'd give anything to sit down and talk with him for a few minutes. Peace Out

  29. P.... P....

    Og like me

  30. B.... V....

    have you heard thrift shop maybe?

  31. S.... R....

    Anybody know if there is an instrumental to this! I can't find one!!

  32. H.... ....

    Half the number of upvotes as the video. Now that's a top comment.

  33. M.... Z....

    480p makes it so much clearer. Thank the heavens for 480p.

  34. L.... ....

    God dang it you made me hit my computer screen because I thought that was a real spider on my screen D:

  35. H.... ....

    The heist is the first cd I bought in a decade. Now that I see he has another cd, i'm there.

  36. R.... n....

    This is my favorite song by him

  37. s.... ....

    Why does this song go so unnoticed

  38. A.... H....

    he made it, you must feel proud

  39. A.... G....

    Thanks ! :)

  40. b.... ....

    I'm here

  41. A.... G....

    What's the name of the girl PLEASE !!!

  42. g.... ....

    my favourite.

  43. N.... ....

    MACKLEMORE FT G-EAZY
    The best story tellers of this age.

  44. N.... M....

    Combined with the power of Macklemore's message

  45. J.... G....

    MACKLEMORE Y U SO GUD

  46. J.... H....

    The Language of My World

  47. N.... R....

    Someone tell me what album/mixtape this is!

  48. G.... ....

    your comment is the reason he wrote gold haha

  49. Y.... ....

    You're right. A few artists from Seattle are on Rhymesayers. For example, Grieves and Jake- ONE.

  50. Y.... ....

    Brother Ali is from Minnesota but is very friendly with the seattle hip hop scene!

  51. *.... *....

    gold?? Diamond (;!

  52. F.... L....

    Go 480p, makes a big difference

  53. F.... L....

    That's pretty cool man. You're so right how you said all the real rappers were friends with each other

  54. s.... ....

    I think Brother Ali is from Minnesota but there is definitely some connection between Rhymesayers and Seattle. I definitely saw Macklemore in one of the Rhymesayer's artist's videos.

  55. F.... L....

    Is Brother Ali from Seattle? I don't know much about him but I know the label and most of the rappers are out of Minnesota

  56. s.... ....

    It seems like all of the real rappers are friends with each other. All the Seattle rappers stick together and help each other out a lot.

  57. B.... ....

    4 people do not know what real music is

  58. F.... L....

    He name dropped brother Ali? I wonder if he's friends with the rhymesayers

  59. c.... ....

    who gives a fuck if hes preaching this world needs it

  60. R.... W....

    Give my music a shot, and you'll find that I'm real aswell. If you dont please like this comment so I can help open other peoples eyes.

  61. w.... ....

    What song is the chorus " light it up to burn it down"?

  62. S.... ....

    This guy speaks the truth.

  63. R.... W....

    Give my music a chance, you'll find that I'm real aswell.

  64. T.... ....

    every things peace and love, thats some what miss leading, because this world is fucked up, but I'm a product of what I'm seeing.
    the realist thing i have ever heard. macklemore. your the fucking man.

  65. D.... S....

    Brother Ali shout out...into it

  66. k.... ....

    We have a flame; your fire is ignited with sound. Are you building the empire up or using your fire to burn it down?

  67. d.... j....

    yep and my names devin :P

  68. b.... ....

    oh man.... this song is perfection. one of macklemore's best. and my personal favorite.

  69. J.... E....

    Contradiction..

  70. K.... F....

    @ibesteezy3z Devin the dude, man

  71. C.... L....

    Yup. Our town is FILTHY

  72. P.... G....

    @MrNukka420 if, in your little ignorant mind, you check out what macklemore does or says, his tour slogan was, my town is filthy. i was making a reference to that. idiot.

  73. M.... ....

    @ibesteezy3z devin the dude

  74. M.... ....

    devin the dude

  75. P.... G....

    his town is filthy

  76. B.... ....

    nice song..
    who is the chorus singing girl? really like her voice

  77. T.... ....

    Macklemore can't make bad music, everythings gold

  78. J.... S....

    Macklemore is sooo dope, even more dope live.