The Heist
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The Heist Image
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74

Generally favorable reviews - based on 8 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.7

Generally favorable reviews- based on 197 Ratings

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  • Summary: The debut release for Seattle rapper Macklemore and producer Ryan Lewis features such guests as Ab-Soul, Ben Bridwell of Band of Horses, ScHoolboy Q, and Allen Stone.
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Top Track

Can't Hold Us
Ay, ay, ay Good to see you, come on in, let's go Yeah, let's go Alright, alright OK, uh, alright, OK Alright, OK Return of the Mack, get up! What it... See the rest of the song lyrics
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 8
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 8
  3. Negative: 0 out of 8
  1. Expert Witness (MSN Music)
    Oct 24, 2012
    83
    I find only the alcoholic's confession "Neon Cathedral" too much, and that one's counteracted by the relapser's confession "Starting Over," just as "Sayin' `That's poetry, it's so well-spoken,' stop it" counteracts his art talk. He's especially good on old cars and old clothes.
  2. XXL
    Oct 24, 2012
    80
    [It's the] astute observations on the human condition and keen self-awareness that set this effort apart.
  3. HipHopDX
    Oct 24, 2012
    80
    An exemplary balance of serious and cheerful cuts alike, very seldom does The Heist reach beyond its means.
  4. AllMusic
    Nov 8, 2012
    80
    Macklemore's a mix of all of the above with some distinctive qualities, and with Lewis putting that kaleidoscope style underneath, The Heist winds up a rich combination of fresh and familiar.
  5. Austin Chronicle
    Oct 30, 2012
    78
    Flexing the same contextual muscle that helped make Atmosphere's Slug an MC for the downtrodden, Macklemore utilizes second album The Heist as a vehicle for dissection, pulling back the layers of skin that cover addiction, the music industry, materialism, and homosexuality.
  6. Q Magazine
    Mar 11, 2013
    60
    His imaginative, smartly delivered lyrics hold the attention during those moments when producer Lewis's beats don't quite match them for sparkle. [Apr 2013, p.94]
    All this publication's reviews
  7. Rolling Stone
    Nov 16, 2012
    50
    The record has its charms (the single "Thrift Shop," a cheeky ode to second-hand duds) and its virtues (the marriage-equality anthem "Same Love"). Unfortunately, Mack­lemore's virtuousness overwhelms his far more modest charms.

See all 8 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 28 out of 33
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 33
  3. Negative: 5 out of 33
  1. LanaDelRey
    Mar 24, 2013
    10
    One Of The Best Rap Albums Of All Time!
  2. Recon97
    Oct 2, 2017
    10
    There are very few albums I can say are one of the best of all time, ones that I rank with Illmatic, with Good Kid, M.A.A.D. City. This is oneThere are very few albums I can say are one of the best of all time, ones that I rank with Illmatic, with Good Kid, M.A.A.D. City. This is one of those albums. Stellar production from Ryan Lewis, excellent lyrics and wordplay from Macklemore, and some of the best guest performances I've ever heard. I don't dislike a single thing about this album. 10/10… Expand
  4. Curran_Conradi
    Dec 3, 2012
    10
    The Era of Conscious Rap Artists

    Macklemore a.k.a Ben Haggerty and his producer, also longtime friend, Ryan Lewis are an unsigned rap duo    The Era of Conscious Rap Artists

    Macklemore a.k.a Ben Haggerty and his producer, also longtime friend, Ryan Lewis are an unsigned rap duo from Seattle, Washington. With a plethora of singles this duo has become YouTube famous but still kept them under the radar and out of mainstream music, until October 9 when the duo released     … Expand
  5. deefr
    Aug 25, 2019
    9
    "The Heist" is a incredible album with incredible songs ("can't hold us", "same love", "wings"). A great hip-hop album, with a great"The Heist" is a incredible album with incredible songs ("can't hold us", "same love", "wings"). A great hip-hop album, with a great collaboration between macklemore and ryan lewis… Expand
  6. Jumpman
    Jan 16, 2016
    8
    Cool but corny too much tumblr #facts !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!#######!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  7. That_One_Guy
    Jun 8, 2013
    8
    I'm personally not a huge fan of Hip hop but this album really surprised me with great lyrics and fantastic instrumentation, it also talksI'm personally not a huge fan of Hip hop but this album really surprised me with great lyrics and fantastic instrumentation, it also talks about topics really well like with Same Love which talks about Gay Marriage an d Thrift Shop which talks about individuality and being yourself. They're a lot of problems, while i think the Instrumentation is fantastically used, when a instrumental part fails, it fails really hard. Also the guest artist the Macklemore and Ryan Lewis bring in aren't that great. Overall i do enjoy this album and i suggest picking up this album.… Expand
  8. KrissMethod
    Dec 23, 2015
    0
    Lyrics are notoriously stupid and have no meaning pizazz! Kendrick Lamar should've won the Grammy for Best Rap Album not this disgraceful messLyrics are notoriously stupid and have no meaning pizazz! Kendrick Lamar should've won the Grammy for Best Rap Album not this disgraceful mess of a so-called "album"! Awful, and nothing but AWFUL!!!… Expand

See all 33 User Reviews

Awards & Rankings

39
#39 Most Discussed Album of 2012
31
#31 Most Shared Album of 2012

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