As an add-on, from what I know of him, the rule of thumb that Ryan enforces is keeping the songs to Ben's (Macklemore's) perspective. In some way, I agree that it seems more a musical blog post. Battling addiction, sharing his life-story, paying homage to those who inspired him - isn't that how he's always kept it? In that way, that's what I love about his style. He tells a story, shares what he's been through, and what he feels is right. In this case, it's his own discomfort in the irony of the position and sickened of what it looks like on a grand scale - finding himself in others. I do agree with you, snoodog in working with the local artists as well... and I'm sure I've heard such pieces over the past year come out. Not with as much exposure though, not for the better. If anything, I'm appreciative of the fact that it's alone stirred up so much controversy in the "white culture".