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Ryan Lewis
Lewis performing with Macklemore in February 2013.
Background information
Birth nameRyan Lewis
Born (1988-03-25) March 25, 1988 (age 36)
Spokane, Washington, U.S.
OriginSeattle, Washington, U.S.
GenresHip hop
Occupation(s)Producer, DJ
Years active2006–present

Ryan Lewis (born March 25, 1988) is an American music producer, musician, music video director, photographer, graphic designer and DJ currently based in Seattle. His works include The VS. EP (2009), The Heist (2012), and his album Instrumentals. Since the beginning of his collaboration with Macklemore in late 2008, Lewis has produced, recorded, engineered and mixed all of their music, directed their music videos "Same Love", "Thrift Shop", which has more than 285 million views on Youtube, "And We Danced", "Otherside (Remix)", "Can't Hold Us", designed visuals (album art, web design, posters, photography) and DJed their live shows.

Early life

Ryan Lewis was born on March 25, 1988. He attended Ferris High School in Spokane, WA and graduated from Roosevelt High School in Seattle. He graduated from the University of Washington majoring in Comparative History of Ideas. At an early age, he played guitar in rock bands before getting into audio production. Lewis grew a passion for producing and photography at the same time around age 15.

Lewis became a professional photographer and started to take photos for Macklemore in the summer of 2006. The duo became very good friends. In late 2008, after having only done a couple of songs together they chose to do a full collaborative project that became the VS. EP.

Music career

The VS. EP

On November 27, 2009, Lewis produced the first of his two EPs with Macklemore.[1] The two singers came together in the winter of 2008 to start working on the EP. The EP was based off the idea to try new music directions from contemporary bands such as Arcade Fire or The Red Hot Chili Peppers.[2][3] When they finished the album in the summer of 2009, the EP consisted of 7 songs. These songs are a response to the violence, drug abuse, and struggle for power happening on the streets, which typically explain the impact that rappers have on young listeners. iTunes awarded the EP spot No.7 on their hip hop chart later that year.

The VS. [Redux]

After the first EP was out on the iTunes market for almost a year, Lewis and Macklemore had received music reviews over their EP concerning the variety of music artists in their songs. The objective of the redux was to bring new remixed versions of the songs with new top artists consisting of Jake One who made a remix of the song "Crew Cuts" adding a more instrumental and bass direction to the song. With all the new remixes Lewis felt obliged to make his own, and chose to make his own remix of the song "Vipasanna".[4]

The Heist

On October 9, 2012, Macklemore and Lewis released The Heist. The album debuted at #2 on the Billboard charts and #1 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums and Top Rap Albums, selling 78,000 copies in the first week.[5] The album also debuted at #1 on iTunes Digital Albums chart.[6] The duo's album has received more than 1 million plays on SoundCloud, over 350 million YouTube views and was accompanied by a sold-out 50-date U.S. and Canadian tour.[7]

Other Work

In 2008, Lewis shot a video for his mash-up of 2Pac's "Crooked Nigga Too" and Franz Ferdinand's "Take Me Out".[8] In 2009, Lewis released the Symmetry & Ryan Lewis LP with Rhode Island emcee Symmetry for free online. Stand out tracks included "Feel Right" and "Make Me Yours."[9]

Recognition and awards

Their most successful single, "Thrift Shop", became No.1 on Triple J's Hottest 100 of 2012. The single "Same Love" reached No.15 on the Hottest 100 of 2012.[10] Both songs attracted attention from Rolling Stone, NPR, TIME and GQ.[11] "Can't Hold Us" reached platinum status in April 2013. [12]

Tours and performances

From 2009 to 2011, Lewis performed in the Seattle, solely focusing on his personal work. After partnering with Macklemore, they initiated their first international tour in Pullman, Washington 2011, promoting their latest album at the time, VS. Redux.[13] Out of the 27 venues the played, over half were sold out.

Macklemore and Lewis began recording songs "My Oh My" and "Can't Hold Us" in 2010; both songs would later appear on their album The Heist. A month after the album's release, the duo began a national tour in November 2012.[14]

Discography

(All credited to Macklemore & Ryan Lewis)

Studio albums

List of studio albums, with selected chart positions and sales figures
Title Album details Peak chart positions Sales / Certification
US
[15] 		US R&B
[16] 		US Rap
[17] 		AUS
[18] 		BEL
(FL)
[19] 		CAN
[20] 		FRA
[21] 		IRE
[22] 		NZ
[23]
The Heist
(with Macklemore)
  • Released: October 9, 2012
  • Label: Macklemore
  • Formats: CD, digital download
 2 1 1 2 12 4 19 6 1
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.
EPs
Title Album details Peak chart positions Tracklist
US
The VS. EP
  • Type: EP
  • Credited to: Macklemore & Ryan Lewis
    (Macklemore X Ryan Lewis)
  • Released: November 27, 2009
  • Label: Macklemore
  • Format: CD Album, Digital download
 –
  1. "Vipassana" (3:42)
  2. "Crew Cuts" (feat. Xperience) (3:29)
  3. "Life Is Cinema" (3:25)
  4. "Otherside" (5:08)
  5. "Kings" (feat. Buffalo Madonna & Champagne Champagne) (4:49)
  6. "Irish Celebration" (4:40)
  7. "The End" (6:23)
The VS. Redux
  • Type: EP
  • Credited to: Macklemore & Ryan Lewis
    (Macklemore X Ryan Lewis)
  • Released: 20 October 2010
  • Label: Macklemore
  • Format: CD Album, Digital download
 –
CD 1
  1. "Vipasanna" (3:42)
  2. "Crew Cuts" (feat. Xperience) (3:29)
  3. "Life Is Cinema" (3:25)
  4. "Otherside" (5:08)
  5. "Kings" (feat. Buffalo Madonna & Champagne Champagne) (4:49)
  6. "Irish Celebration" (4:40)
  7. "The End" (6:23)
CD 2
  1. "Vipasanna" (Ryan Lewis Remix) (3:58)
  2. "Crew Cuts" (Jake One Remix) (4:00)
  3. "Otherside" (feat. Fences) (Ryan Lewis Remix) (5:46)
  4. "Irish Celebration" (P Smoov Remix) (4:51)
  5. "The End" (Budo Remix) (4:48)
  6. "The Town" (Sabzi Remix) (4:26)
  7. "Stay Home Dad" (bonus)
  8. "Fake Empire" (Remix) (bonus)

Singles

List of singles, with selected chart positions, showing year released and album name
Title Year Peak chart positions Certifications Album
US
[26] 		US
Alt.
[27] 		US
R&B
[28] 		US
Rap
[29] 		AUS
[18] 		CAN
[30] 		FRA
[31] 		GER
[32] 		IRE
[22] 		NZ
[23] 		NL
"My Oh My"
(with Macklemore) 		2010 — — — — — — — — — — The Heist
"Wings"[A]
(with Macklemore) 		2011 112 — 42 — — — — — — — —
"Can't Hold Us"
(with Macklemore featuring Ray Dalton) 		1 — 1 1 1 2 3 2 3 4 7
"Same Love"
(with Macklemore featuring Mary Lambert) 		2012 83 — 28 — 1 — 164 — 32 1 —
"Thrift Shop"
(with Macklemore featuring Wanz) 		1 14 1 1 1 1 1 2 1 1 1
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.
Other releases
List of songs, with selected chart positions, showing year released and album name
Title Year Peak chart positions Album
US
R&B
[36] 		AUT
[37] 		FRA
[31] 		IRL
[38]
"Irish Celebration"
(with Macklemore) 		2010 — — — 57 The VS. Redux
"Ten Thousand Hours"
(with Macklemore) 		2012 41 — — — The Heist
"Thin Line"[B]
(with Macklemore, featuring Buffalo Madonna) 		54 — — —
"Make the Money"[C]
(with Macklemore) 		56 — — —
"White Walls"[D]
(with Macklemore, featuring Schoolboy Q and Hollis) 		51 — — —
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Notes

  • A ^ "Wings" did not enter the Billboard Hot 100, but peaked at number 12 on the Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles chart, which acts as an extension to the Hot 100.[39]
  • B ^ "Thin Line" did not enter the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, but peaked at number 4 on the Bubbling Under Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles chart, which acts as an extension to the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.[40]
  • C ^ "Make the Money" did not enter the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, but peaked at number 6 on the Bubbling Under Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles chart, which acts as an extension to the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.[40]
  • D ^ "White Walls" did not enter the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, but peaked at number 1 on the Bubbling Under Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles chart, which acts as an extension to the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.[40]

Notes

References

  1. ^ "[1]" Ryan Lewis Bandcamp
  2. ^ "[2]." Macklemore x Ryan Lewis - The VS. EP.
  3. ^ Macklemore x Ryan Lewis Biography." last.fm
  4. ^ Lyrikmania." Macklemore and Ryan Lewis - The VS. [Redux].
  5. ^ Caulfield, Keith (October 17, 2012). "Macklemore & Ryan Lewis' 'Heist' Album Debuts At No. 2 On Billboard 200, Mumford Holds at No. 1" Billboard.
  6. ^ Knopper, Steve (October 17, 2012). "On the Charts: Mumford & Sons Slip, Macklemore and Ryan Lewis Impress" Rolling Stone.
  7. ^ Halperin, Shirley (October 24, 2012). "The Triumph of Macklemore & Ryan Lewis: How Hip-Hop's DIY Duo Landed a No. 2 Debut With 'The Heist'" The Hollywood Reporter.
  8. ^ "Ryan Lewis - "Pac' Vs. Ferdinand"".
  9. ^ "Fresh Espresso - "Big or Small (Ryan Lewis Remix)"". thatsthatish.com.
  10. ^ "Macklemore & Ryan Lewis' 'Thrift Shop' Tops Triple J's Hottest 100". Pedestrian TV. 2013-01-26. Retrieved 2013-02-07.
  11. ^ Macklemore and Ryan Lewis" MTV Biographies
  12. ^ Thomas, Rebecca (April 30, 2013). "Macklemore & Ryan Lewis' 'Can't Hold Us': Decoding The Hook!". MTV.com. Retrieved 2013-05-10.
  13. ^ The Seattlest." American City Tours
  14. ^ "Heist Singles" Macklemore and Ryan Lewis.
  15. ^ "Macklemore Album & Song Chart History: Billboard 200". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved November 2, 2012.
  16. ^ "Macklemore Album & Song Chart History: R&B/Hip-Hop Albums". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved November 2, 2012.
  17. ^ "Macklemore Album & Song Chart History: Rap Albums". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved November 2, 2012.
  18. ^ a b "Discography Macklemore". australian-charts.com. Hung Medien. Retrieved November 10, 2012. ((cite web)): Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |work= (help)
  19. ^ "Discography Macklemore". ultratop.be (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved November 10, 2012. ((cite web)): Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |work= (help)
  20. ^ "Macklemore Album & Song Chart History: Canadian Albums". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved November 2, 2012.
  21. ^ "Discography Macklemore". lescharts.com (in French). Hung Medien. Retrieved January 30, 2013. ((cite web)): Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |work= (help)
  22. ^ a b Peak positions for Ireland:
  23. ^ a b "Discography Macklemore". charts.org.nz. Hung Medien. Retrieved November 10, 2012. ((cite web)): Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |work= (help)
  24. ^ Horowitz, Steven J. (2013-02-03). "Hip Hop Album Sales: The Week Ending 02/03/2013 | Get The Latest Hip Hop News, Rap News & Hip Hop Album Sales". HipHop DX. Retrieved 2013-02-08.
  25. ^ "ARIA Charts > Accreditations > 2013Album". Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 2013-01-20.
  26. ^ "Macklemore Album & Song Chart History: Hot 100". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved November 8, 2012.
  27. ^ "Macklemore Album & Song Chart History: Alternative Songs". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved November 8, 2012.
  28. ^ "Macklemore Album & Song Chart History: R&B/Hip-Hop Songs". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved November 8, 2012.
  29. ^ "Macklemore Album & Song Chart History: Rap Songs". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved November 8, 2012.
  30. ^ "Macklemore Album & Song Chart History: Canadian Hot 100". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved November 8, 2012.
  31. ^ a b "Discographie Macklemore". lescharts.com (in French). Hung Medien. Retrieved November 27, 2012. ((cite web)): Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |work= (help)
  32. ^ "Macklemore (Single)". charts.de (in German). Media Control Charts. Retrieved November 27, 2012. ((cite web)): Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |work= (help)
  33. ^ "ARIA Charts > Accreditations > 2013Singles". Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 2013-01-20.
  34. ^ "NZ Top 40 Singles Chart: 03 December 2012". Recording Industry Association of New Zealand. Retrieved December 22, 2012.
  35. ^ "ARIA Charts > Accreditations > 2013Singles". Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 2013-01-13.
  36. ^ Cite error: The named reference USR&B was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  37. ^ "Discographie Macklemore". austriancharts.at (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved April 7, 2013. ((cite web)): Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |work= (help)
  38. ^ "Top 100 Singles, Week Ending 21 March 2013". Irish Recorded Music Association. Retrieved May 4, 2013.
  39. ^ "Macklemore – Chart History: Bubbling Under Hot 100". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved April 8, 2013.
  40. ^ a b c "Macklemore – Chart History: Bubbling Under R&B/Hip-Hop Songs". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved April 8, 2013.
  41. ^ "Bubbling Under R&B/Hip-Hop Songs – Issue Date: 2012-11-17". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved November 8, 2012.

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