Drug Dealer (song)

For the Texas Hippie Coalition song, see Pride of Texas.

For the Machine Gun Kelly song, see Mainstream Sellout.

"Drug Dealer" is a single by American rapper Macklemore featuring American singer Ariana DeBoo, released on October 11, 2016. It was produced by Macklemore.

"Drug Dealer"
Single by Macklemore featuring Ariana DeBoo
Released	October 11, 2016
Genre	Conscious hip hop
Length	3:43
Songwriter(s)	Ben Haggerty Ariana DeBoo Joshua Karp Joshua Rawlings John Sinclair David Takahashi David Dalton Tyler Andrews
Producer(s)	Macklemore
Macklemore singles chronology
"Rio (Remix)" (2016) "Drug Dealer" (2016) "Wednesday Morning" (2016)
Ariana DeBoo singles chronology
"Good to Be Home" (2016) "Drug Dealer" (2016)
Music video
"Drug Dealer" on YouTube

Background

Macklemore has struggled with drug abuse in the past and publicly spoken about the issue, including in previous songs such as "Otherside". "Drug Dealer" was released in preparation for his discussion with President Barack Obama about the opioid addiction epidemic on the MTV documentary Prescription For Change: Ending America's Opioid Crisis, which aired on the same day of the song's release.^[1][2]

Composition and lyrics

Backed by an instrumental of "subdued piano progression" and "frantic" percussion, the song deals with the themes of drug abuse,^[2][3][4][5] and criticizes drug companies (such as Purdue Pharma), their CEOs and business with the Congress, and doctors who overprescribe painkillers for their own profit.^[5] In the first verse, Macklemore addresses the political pull of pharmaceutical companies,^[3][5] the drug-related deaths of musicians Prince, Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston, Amy Winehouse, Heath Ledger, Pimp C, ASAP Yams and DJ AM,^[3][5][6] and the ongoing opioid epidemic in the United States.^[3] He also references the song "Can't Feel My Face" by The Weeknd ("And we dancin' to a song about our face goin' numb").^[7] In the chorus, Ariana DeBoo compares a doctor to a drug dealer: "My drug dealer was a doctor, doctor / Had the plug from Big Pharma".^[2][3][5][6] Following the hook, Macklemore covers his own struggles with addiction ("Four Horseman, they won't let me forget / I wanna forge a prescription, cause doctor I need some more of it / When morphine and heroin is more viewer budget / I said I'd never use a needle, but sure, fuck it")^[3][4] and the consequences of opioids.^[4]

Music video

The music video was released on October 25, 2016. Directed by Jason Koenig, it opens with Macklemore sitting naked and hunched over in a shower as he battles withdrawal symptoms.^{[7][8][9][10][11]} Throughout the video, he is shown sitting, lying, tossing and turning in a stripped down mattress and sweating,^{[7][10][11][12][13]} in a room surrounded by drugs;^[10] his eyes are swollen and filled with tears.^[12][14] He is also seen chain-smoking cigarettes^[11] and vomiting.^[7][14][15] Ariana DeBoo appears buried in a pile of red and white pills as she sings.^{[7][10][16][17]} The clip ends with Macklemore at a Narcotics Anonymous meeting and hugging others.^[14][15]

Live performances

On November 16, 2016, Macklemore performed the song with Ariana DeBoo and The Roots on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.^[18]

Charts

Chart (2016)	Peak position
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)^[19]	56

References

1. Ivey, Justin (October 10, 2016). "Macklemore to Discuss His Drug Addiction in Documentary". XXL. Retrieved 19 August 2023.
2. "Macklemore x Ryan Lewis Release "Drug Dealer"". Respect. October 11, 2016. Retrieved 19 August 2023.
3. Blistein, Jon (October 12, 2016). "Hear Macklemore's Meditative Addiction Ballad 'Drug Dealer'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 19 August 2023.
4. Josephs, Brian (October 12, 2016). "New Music: Macklemore – "Drug Dealer"". Spin. Retrieved 19 August 2023.
5. Robbins, Rebecca (October 13, 2016). "We break down Macklemore's new song about opioids, line by line". Stat. Retrieved 19 August 2023.
6. Smith, Trevor. "Drug Dealer". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved 19 August 2023.
7. White, Caitlin (October 25, 2016). "Macklemore Reveals The Intensity Of An Addict's Withdrawal Struggle In The Harrowing 'Drug Dealer" Video". Uproxx. Retrieved 20 August 2023.
8. Hilton, Robin (October 25, 2016). "Watch Macklemore's Powerful New Video For 'Drug Dealer'". NPR. Retrieved 20 August 2023.
9. Clarridge, Christine (October 27, 2016). "In new song, Macklemore condemns 'big pharma,' docs for opioid addiction". The Seattle Times. Retrieved 20 August 2023.
10. Roth, Madeline (October 25, 2016). "Macklemore's 'Drug Dealer' Video Shows The Hellish Reality Of Battling Addiction". MTV News. Retrieved 20 August 2023.
11. Eustice, Kyle. "Macklemore Goes Full On Junkie For "Drug Dealer" Video". HipHopDX. Retrieved 20 August 2023.
12. Cheung, HP (October 25, 2016). "Watch Macklemore Go Through a Painful Detox Process in "Drug Dealer" Video". Hypebeast. Retrieved 20 August 2023.
13. Frydenlund, Zach (October 25, 2016). "Macklemore and Ryan Lewis Drop Powerful Video for "Drug Dealer" With Ariana DeBoo". Complex. Retrieved 20 August 2023.
14. "Video: Macklemore feat. Ariana DeBoo - 'Drug Dealer'". Rap-Up. October 25, 2016. Retrieved 20 August 2023.
15. Madden, Sidney (October 25, 2016). "Macklemore Shows the Struggles of Addiction in "Drug Dealer" Video". XXL. Retrieved 20 August 2023.
16. Schwartz, Danny (October 25, 2016). "Macklemore Feat. Ariana DeBoo "Drug Dealer" Video". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved 20 August 2023.
17. Siede, Caroline (October 26, 2016). "Macklemore goes through withdrawal in his new "Drug Dealer" music video". The A.V. Club. Retrieved 20 August 2023.
18. Kaufman, Gil (November 17, 2016). "Watch Macklemore's Intense Performance of 'Drug Dealer' on 'The Tonight Show'". Billboard. Retrieved 20 August 2023.
19. "Drug Dealer by Macklemore and Ariana Deboo - Music Charts". ACharts. Retrieved August 20, 2023.