Question 1

Did Macklemore & Ryan Lewis write their own songs?

Accepted Answer

Yes, both of them. Ryan Lewis is credited as a writer on all 28 tracks across their two albums and Macklemore on 27. Lewis produced both records as well, so the duo wrote and made everything themselves.

Question 2

Who wrote "Thrift Shop"?

Accepted Answer

Macklemore and Ryan Lewis. It topped the Billboard Hot 100 and won Best Rap Song and Best Rap Performance at the 2014 ceremony.

Question 3

Who wrote "Same Love"?

Accepted Answer

Macklemore, Ryan Lewis and Mary Lambert, who sings the hook. It reached number 11 on the Hot 100 and was nominated for Song of the Year.

Question 4

How many albums did they make?

Accepted Answer

Two: The Heist in 2012 and This Unruly Mess I've Made in 2016.

Question 5

Were they signed to a label?

Accepted Answer

No. Both albums came out on their own Macklemore LLC, distributed by ADA, which is why The Heist reaching number two on the Billboard 200 was unusual.

Question 6

How many Grammys did they win?

Accepted Answer

Four at the 2014 ceremony, from seven nominations: Best New Artist, Best Rap Album, Best Rap Song and Best Rap Performance.

Question 7

Which album sold more?

Accepted Answer

The Heist, with 1,490,000 copies sold in the United States as of early 2016. No sales figure is published for This Unruly Mess I've Made.

Question 8

Who else wrote with them?

Accepted Answer

Josh Rawlings appears on ten tracks and Budo on eight, with Joshua Karp and Tyler Andrews also recurring. Nobody outside the duo is on more than a third of the catalogue.

Question 9

Are they still together?

Accepted Answer

Not as a duo. They worked together from 2009 to 2016, and Macklemore has released solo albums since.

Question 10

What does Ryan Lewis do?

Accepted Answer

He produced both albums on his own and is credited as a writer on every track. He is a full writing partner rather than a producer brought in to make beats.