Macklemore & Ryan Lewis tackle addiction on their anti-drug anthem “Drug Dealer” featuring Ariana DeBoo.
Taking on “Big Pharma,” the Seattle rapper reflects on his own issues with addiction and how drugs have impacted Hollywood.
“I could’ve been gone,” he raps. “Faded in that tub / That’s Prince, Michael, and Whitney / That’s Amy, Ledger, and Pimp C / That’s Yams, that’s DJ AM / God damn they’re making a killing.”
Macklemore produced the song with co-production from Joshua “Budo” Karp, while Ariana provided vocals for the powerful chorus.
“My drug dealer was a doctor,” sings DeBoo. “Had the plug from Big Pharma / I think he tryin’ to kill me / He tried to kill me for a dollar.”
While Macklemore & Ryan Lewis have crafted songs about addiction in the past — check “Kevin” from This Unruly Mess I’ve Made — this track is from Macklemore’s MTV documentary Prescription for Change: Ending America’s Opioid Crisis, which airs tonight (Oct. 11) at 9 p.m.