Linda Thomas
twitter: @TheNewsChick
Linda is the morning news anchor and features reporter for KIRO Radio. This is her local news blog, with an emphasis on social media, technology, Northwest companies, education, parenting, and anything else that grabs her attention.If you have a news tip or story idea, I'd love to hear from you...
To leave a voice message for Linda about any of her stories call toll free 1-855-251-2363
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Seattle rapper Macklemore to run for mayor. Really?
January 4, 2013 @ 6:17 am (Updated: 10:24 am - 1/4/13 )A Seattle rapper has accomplished something in music that hasn't happened for about 20 years and he's looking ahead to running for Mayor in 2025.
It was the summer of 1992, the last time a Seattle artist had a platinum single in the music world.
Sir Mix Alot's "Baby got Back" has been replaced. On Thursday, Macklemore's "Thrift Shop" - by the way parents, offensive language warning on that video - went platinum, which means there have been 1,000,000 downloads of the song.
If you're familiar with Macklemore, it's likely because you have a teen in your house or you might remember his tribute song to Dave Niehaus "My Oh My."
His song "Same Love," in support of same-sex marriage was recently in the news because a teacher was reprimanded for playing it in class.
Macklemore and Ryan Lewis have quietly become a national success. Their album "The Heist" reached number one on iTunes, he's playing sold out shows, and now he's announcing political goals.
Macklemore, whose real name is Ben Haggerty, says he's running for Mayor of Seattle.
"I'm running: 2025 is the year," he tells me after getting off a red eye flight back from a concert in Hawaii. "It's time to fight for the city and stand up for the people.
It'll happen in 2025, he says, because his rap career will probably be winding down by then and he'll be able to focus on other goals.
"Politics is the new hip hop," says Macklemore.
Cool phrase, but what does that mean?
"I'm going to make that the new phrase in 2025, and I'll figure it out by then," he says.
Haggerty, who grew up in Seattle and went to public schools here, says education needs to be embraced as the "engine of our robust economy." He also supports gun control and wants affordable, safe housing for all.
There's more.
"We need a modern transportation system. We're a growing city we need to meet those needs, and hopefully that means hover boards," he says.
Seriously?
"Yes," Macklemore says with a smile in his voice. "In 2025 I'll make sure all the kids in Seattle get hover boards."
He's gotten thousands of likes on a Facebook post about his plan to run for Mayor of Seattle. Some people even say they'll move to the city if he's in charge.
Others, think maybe he's taking his New Year's resolutions a little too seriously and is "going a little crazy on us."
"Absolutely not," he says. "I'm enjoying life."
By LINDA THOMAS
My teen daughter who loves Macklemore will be 30 if/when Ben Haggerty runs for office.
Exterior photo courtesy Macklemore's Facebook page
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daveismenotyou wrote...He couldn't be worseJanuary 4, 2013 6:10 am{ "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }- Reply
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ron prevost wrote...Now if Lawn has finally crashed...........January 4, 2013 6:23 am{ "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
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R L M 456 wrote...Seattle rapper Macklemore to run for mayor.January 4, 2013 8:37 am{ "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
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shark75 wrote..."Politics is the new hip hop"January 4, 2013 9:49 am{ "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
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Ron_Spins wrote...Paris Hilton FOR PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.January 4, 2013 10:45 am{ "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }- Reply
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cw1997 wrote...Only InJanuary 4, 2013 11:24 am{ "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
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CH wrote...ron prevosted- eat your flounder . . . .January 4, 2013 1:02 pm{ "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }- Reply
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maplefish wrote...AnybodyJanuary 4, 2013 3:53 pm{ "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
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Snout wrote...A push scooter?January 4, 2013 4:28 pm{ "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
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soo purletiv wrote..."It's time to fight for the city and stand up for the peopleJanuary 4, 2013 6:53 pm{ "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
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sweetpea123 wrote...well, isn't that special...January 4, 2013 11:42 pm{ "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }- Reply
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