Macklemore
Macklemore aka Ben Haggerty (Image courtesy of MySpace)

Macklemore: I wanted to document the loss of the voice of our city

BY Jamie Skorheim  on January 13, 2011 @ 12:03 pm (Updated: 1:30 pm - 3/28/11 )

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By JAMIE GRISWOLD
MyNorthwest.com

The official music video for Seattle hip hop artist Macklemore's "My Oh My" tribute to Dave Niehaus is nearing 25,000 views on YouTube.

"The response from people all over the country as well as people from Seattle has been amazing," says Ben Haggerty aka Macklemore. "We really had no idea that it was going to take off like it did."

Haggerty told KIRO Radio's Ross and Burbank that he was taken aback at the news of Niehaus' death.

"I was definitely shocked by it and emotionally, a little bit distraught when I first heard the news, so just started moving the pen after it."

Listen to Ben Haggerty on Ross and Burbank

The song struck a strong chord with people, and Haggerty says performing it live, where he can see people's reaction, is amazing.

"Watching the fans reaction to Niehaus was incredible. I have the first verse and then it goes to Niehaus and watching the fans' faces light up when he was calling the game. It was fantastic."

Haggerty says he thinks people are responding to the honesty of the song that has the rapper singing the chorus, "My city, my city, childhood, my life" concluding, "Niehaus rest in peace."

"This honestly just came from a place of feeling emotion around the loss of the voice of our city and I wanted to document that."

Jamie Skorheim, MyNorthwest.com Editor
Whether it's floating on Green Lake, eating shrimp tacos at Agua Verde, or taking weekend drives out to the Cascades, she loves to enjoy the Pacific Northwest lifestyle as much as humanly possible.
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Comments (4)


  • Add A Comment

  • thankful wrote...
    Thank-you
    January 13, 2011 1:38 pm
    For sharing your song and memories of a great man.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • vashonmatt wrote...
    Not a big baseball fan...
    January 13, 2011 3:03 pm
    I don't know if I have ever heard him. The guy must have been really something to Seattle... R.I.P.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • bigmurr wrote...
    Thank you
    January 13, 2011 3:18 pm
    Yes I try to keep my heart protected in concrete, but sometimes some things just find their way to it wihout much effort. Adding the vid to it, yep ????? THANK YOU
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • imanegro wrote...
    Still get a chill
    January 14, 2011 7:40 am
    Nice contemporary tribute Mr. Niehaus. I still get a chill when I hear this call. Here is the youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rOWnLqjF40g
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }