Speaking to Rolling Stone this week Macklemore discussed the content of his latest track ‘White Privilege II’ and the apparent shade he threw in the direction of both Miley Cyrus and Iggy Azalea.

Macklemore describes the track as a “processing-out-loud”, speaking of the uncertainty of his position within the Black Lives Matter campaign as a hugely successful white rapper and the ‘white privilege’ that may have afforded that success.

As for Miley and Iggy, the track features the lyrics:

"You've exploited and stolen the music, the moment, The magic, the passion, the fashion, you toy with, The culture was never yours to make better, You're Miley, you're Elvis, you're Iggy Azalea fake and so plastic, you've heisted the magic, You've taken the drums and the accent you rapped in, You're branded hip-hop, it's so fascist and backwards."

Iggy in particular wasn’t happy about the song, complaining that the lyrics seem a bit hypocritical.

When asked about this namechecking, Macklemore said:

"It's an unpacking moment of internalised criticism and self-doubt, and 'What have I done,' and letting the criticism infiltrate who I am."

"'Why am I insecure at a protest?' And I think that people get put into boxes, and the conversation around cultural appropriation – I was at the forefront of that, rightfully so. And that conversation also included Miley Cyrus and Iggy Azalea, and that's why their names are on the record."

So really it’s not so much a diss as it is a questioning of the way in which white artists, influenced by black music are able to achieve success with greater ease than black artists themselves and whether Macklemore, as a white rapper, should address this and be involved in campaigns against racial discrimination.

“Will I show up for black lives at the end of this?” Macklemore asks, going on to say, “I had to do all this out loud and come to the conclusion that this is not about me.”

“It's easier, as a white person, to be silent about racial injustice. It's easier. On paper. But it's not easier on the whole, because injustice affects all of us, whether we know it or not, whether we acknowledge it or not. At a certain point, this song might affect sales, this might affect touring, but it doesn't matter if I'm not speaking up – if I'm not pushing myself to speak truth.”

There’s been support for Macklemore already – musician and activist Talib Kweli tweeted his thoughts last week, and encouraged Iggy to have a closer listen before criticising…

You can read the full interview hereand listen to ‘White Privilege II’ below.

- Henry Boon