Privilege is the special treatment, rights, or benefits of an individual or group. Privilege is abundant in society, and it is statistically shown that some groups or types of individuals receive special treatment for little to no reason other than an unearned characteristic that they possess. Privilege exists in almost all aspects of society and it is inescapable. For example, economically, in America, it is shown that white persons, or even those who have the appearance of being white based upon a white sounding name, can receive preferential hiring or interview callbacks opposed to various other races after a resume submission.  This white privilege, and its existence in the form of rap music and culture is discussed in the hip hop group Macklemore’s song “white privilege”.

There has been a recent shift in the emergence of white rappers opposed to black, and Macklemore has had little fear in expressing their thoughts on what it means and the implications. Macklemore first acknowledges this shift with the lyrics, “When I take a step to the mic is hip hop closer to the end? ’Cause when I go to shows the majority have white skin”. This line introduces the idea that Macklemore is trying to convey in which white people have used their advantages to steal black culture, and to mainstream rap music to be more inclusive and suited to the interests of white people. This is represented by the fact that the rap group’s lead rapper is white and has himself stepped on to the scene and found great success without identifying with the traditions of conventional hip hop. Furthermore, the audience and fan bases who appreciate the artistry of rap are also growing vastly in numbers with many of them similarly being unfamiliar with much of hip hop’s roots.

In Macklemore’s perspective, the problems created by the mass inclusion of white rappers and fan bases are the loss of black culture in rap, and the fading out of rap’s initial foundation as the voice of inner city black youth’s rebellion against societal norms and the struggle of trying to overcome the obstacles put in front of them by those in power. Macklemore explains that this new wave of white people simply cannot understand or relate to the culture which created rap by stating, “I give everything I have when I write a rhyme, but that doesn’t change that this culture’s not mine.” Macklemore shows that this is not a question of effort or becoming more informed, but that one cannot identify as something without ever actually being a part of it. This is further illustrated by the lyrics, “Hip hop started off in a block that I’ve never been to, to counter act a struggle that I’ve never been through.”  Macklemore reiterates that because of the white privilege he has experienced, he is far distanced from experiencing the gritty, arduous lifestyle that inspired the beginnings of rap.

The privilege that one experiences will change their level of success and course in life, and Macklemore explains what his privilege has meant for him. In the lyrics, “Blessed with the privilege that my parents could send me to college, now who’s going to show the kids on the block starving”, Macklemore reveals the options that he has been given because he was born into fortunate circumstances that are a result of none of his own doing. It is because of these options he has had that he states, “Now I don’t rap about guns so they label me conscious, but I don’t rap about guns cause I wasn’t forced in to the projects.” These lyrics convey how the rapper isn’t criticized for contributing to the gangster illusion, but that is simply because he never experienced or was even surrounded by the gangster reality. This once again shows the impact that privilege can have, and also how one can often be blamed for their actions which might largely be due to a lack of privilege.

Privilege is not the only determinant of success, but it plays an undeniably large role in modern day society. Privilege can often be the advantage that propels one to success, but it can also be the disadvantage that pushes one down towards failure. Privilege will not disappear any time soon, but by understanding the privilege that we all have been given, or not given, we can begin to strive towards equality and stop oppressing individuals based upon their trivial characteristics.