Macklemore’s On Fire: #1 Hits, Rolling Stone and VMA Noms! [INTERVIEW + PHOTOS]

Thrift Shop. Can’t Hold Us. Billboard #1. Rolling Stone Magazine. 2013 has been a good year for Seattle rapper Macklemore who has become a household name in just under a year. The ironic lyrics and music video for his first hit “Thrift Shop” set the tone for Macklemore’s underground mix tape persona.

Three hits and counting Macklemore and his collaborator Ryan Lewis can write a SERIOUS earworm. Earlier this year, their cult song “Thrift Shop” sent teens all over the country scouting out vintage fashion like the rapper sports in his music video. Reaching over 400 million views on YouTube, “Thrift Shop” was the first single to reach number 1 on the Hot 100 chart without backing from a major label since the early 90's.

The duo’s second single “Can’t Hold Us” followed up with another #1 rank, making them the only artists in history to have their first two singles reach the elite top Billboard spot. This year, Macklemore was also asked to pose for the August cover of the music industry’s coveted Rolling Stone magazine. He opened up about the opportunity, "... you have a long weekend of interviewing with somebody it's like six hours worth of interview stuff, you have no idea how they're going to portray you. I have no idea how they're going to portray me…[or] what’s going to be written about me, and how the picture's going to turn out." There was some tension when his partner, Ryan Lewis, was not asked to pose Rolling Stone. Macklemore commented, “ I think that it probably sucks for him a little bit, I mean of course he wants to be on the cover of Rolling Stone."

But they aren’t parting ways anytime soon. The pair is up for six awards at the 2013 MTV Video Music Awards, a number only matched by music vet Justin Timberlake. They told MTV the song they really want to win for is their equality anthem “Same Love” which is up for Best Video with a Social Message. Macklemore commented about "Same Love"'s controversial message,  "There's some boycotting every once and awhile at a show or two, but for the most part it's been really positive. I thought there would be more backlash, so it's been refreshing that there hasn't been.”

What’s in store for Macklemore’s future? A WEDDING! He just proposed to his girlfriend of seven years! In 2014 he’s going to slow it down. "Once 2014 hits, we're going to stop taking shows...and just chill out. Make some music. Live some life. It comes down to being able to have an existence outside...I've been trying to write raps this year, and every rap is about an airplane. I'm in coach again, here it is." We’re looking forward to hearing more from this talented, fun, down-to-earth guy!