Macklemore and Ryan Lewis are an American hip hop duo from Seattle, Washington, consisting of rapper Ben Haggerty (Macklemore) and producer Ryan Lewis; they rose to prominence in the early 2010s with independently released material. Their work blends hip hop with pop, soul, and electronic elements, often featuring melodic hooks, live instrumentation, and socially conscious lyrics that address topics such as consumerism, addiction, and LGBTQ+ rights. The pair are known for a DIY approach to production and promotion, achieving mainstream success through independent releases and viral videos. Singer Ray Dalton is an American vocalist who frequently collaborated with the duo, contributing gospel-tinged, soulful choruses to several of their best-known songs.