It’s no secret Macklemore has been fighting the disease of addiction for years. Along with often speaking out at concerts about his own battle (normally right before he performs “Otherside”), he teamed up with President Obama on a PSA addressing opioid abuse, wrote a song called “Kevin” about his friend who overdosed, and now sets his sights on Big Pharma with “Drug Dealer.”
In the subsequent video, Macklemore (born Ben Haggerty) is seen crouched down in the shower, unable to lift his head as he fights withdrawal. As he sweats it out on a stripped down mattress, he chain smokes cigarettes, shakes and raps about those who have passed due to the disease, including Prince, Pimp C, Whitney Houston, and A$AP Yams.
The hook, sang by Ariana DeBoo, repeats, “My drug dealer was a doctor, doctor/had the plug from Big Pharma, Pharma/I think you’re trying to kill me, kill me,” a reality played out in the United States every day as more and more people are swept up by the opioid epidemic.
At the end, he says the words to the Serenity Prayer, which has been popularized by 12-step programs like Narcotics Anonymous. While he may not be perfect, he’s at least opening up a conversation about the seriousness of drug addiction. Check it out above.
