"Marmalade" is a song by American rapper Macklemore featuring fellow American rapper Lil Yachty. It was written by the artists alongside Tyler Andrews & Joshua Rawlings and producers Joshua Karp & Tyler Dopps. The song was released through Bendo on July 26, 2017, as the second single from Macklemore's second solo studio album, Gemini (2017).

"Marmalade"
Single by Macklemore featuring Lil Yachty
from the album Gemini
ReleasedJuly 26, 2017 (2017-07-26)
RecordedNovember 8, 2016
Studio
Various
    • Macklemore Studios (Seattle, WA)[1]
    The Gift Shop (Los Angeles, CA)
GenreBubblegum rap[2]
Length4:21
LabelBendo
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
Macklemore singles chronology
"Glorious"
(2017)
"Marmalade"
(2017)
"Good Old Days"
(2017)
Lil Yachty singles chronology
"Hip Hopper"
(2017)
"Marmalade"
(2017)
"Faking It"
(2017)
Music video
"Marmalade" on YouTube

Background

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On June 9, 2017, Yachty posted a photo of the two rappers together on Instagram.[3] In an interview with XXL, talking about the photo, Yachty said that he and Macklemore "worked on something really dope" and he "really think people are going to love it".[4] On July 24, 2017, Macklemore posted a half-complete single artwork on Instagram, captioning: "Dropping another track this week". He later posted the full artwork, along with release details.[5] Macklemore premiered the song during his appearance on Zane Lowe's Beats 1 radio show.[6][7][8] During the show, he praised Yachty for his originality and willingness to remain true to himself.[9] He said he wanted to collaborate with Yachty because he is "super dope". He continued: "I've always been a fan of him. I think that he brings a new, young voice to the game and [he's] completely himself and not afraid to do him. And I just appreciate that."[10] He also revealed that the song was recorded on November 8, 2016,[11] which was the same day of the 2016 United States presidential election.[12]

Critical reception

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Carl Lamarre of Billboard called the song a "joyous record" and it "finds the Seattle star skating through the track with the aid of Auto-Tune".[13] Brian Josephs of Spin regarded the song as "the candy-coated follow-up" to Macklemore's previous single "Glorious".[14] Aaron Williams of Uproxx called the song a "catchy, upbeat jam", and felt that it "combines the best of both".[15] Similarly, Josiah Hughes of Exclaim! wrote that the song "offers the best of what both rappers have to offer" and "comes with plinky pianos and plenty of Yachty ad libs".[16] Peter Berry of XXL thinks that the song "sounds pretty good" and "basically typifies the 'bubble gum trap' sound Yachty's been cultivating for the last year or so", he also felt that the instrumental "sounds almost like an ice cream truck".[9] Madeline Roth of MTV News also described the instrumental as "ice cream truck-sounding".[17] Kyle Neubeck of Complex opined that the song is "joyous and lighthearted".[18] Mitch Findlay of HotNewHipHop called the song a "sugary production",[19] while HipHopDX called it a "bubble gum rap single".[2] Rap-Up described the instrumental as "upbeat piano-centric".[12]

Music video

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The music video was released on August 2, 2017, and was directed by Jason Koenig and Macklemore.[20] It features kid versions of Macklemore and Lil Yachty, played by Mitchell Savitsky and Dre'moni Watts respectively.[21] The video opens with Macklemore's child version stealing the keys to Macklemore's Maybach and grabbing stacks of money.[22][23] He drives around the city, picking up Lil Yachty's child doppelgänger and other friends. After they visit Johnny Dang to purchase jewelry,[24] they sneak into a football stadium, finding a group of men deflating footballs, a reference to Deflategate. After kid Macklemore steals Tom Brady's jersey from a locker room (a reference to when Brady's jersey was stolen),[25][26] he gives it to Marshawn Lynch, who then throws the boys a pool party at his mansion.[20][23] The clip ends with Macklemore waking up to realize that it had been a dream.[27]

Credits and personnel

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Credits adapted from YouTube.[28]

  • Macklemore – additional production, writing, lyrics
  • Lil Yachty – writing, lyrics
  • Budo – producing, writing, piano
  • Tyler Dopps – producing, writing, bass, drum programming, engineering
  • Tyler Andrews – writing
  • Josh Rawlings – writing, organ
  • Journey Pollard – background vocals
  • Sinai Pollard – background vocals
  • Jamaudray White – background vocals
  • Larian Burney – background vocals
  • Kimora Carson – background vocals
  • Elizabeth Howell – background vocals
  • Abbie Wright – background vocals
  • Gena Brooks – additional background vocals
  • Tanisha Brooks – additional background vocals
  • Josephine Howell – additional background vocals
  • Dana Jackson – additional background vocals
  • Karma Johnson – additional background vocals
  • Maelu Strange – additional background vocals
  • Michael Allen – additional background vocals
  • Deshe' Brooks – additional background vocals
  • Christopher Harris – additional background vocals
  • Malaelupe Samifua – additional background vocals
  • Jon Castelli – mixing
  • Dale Becker – mastering
  • Thomas Mann – additional engineering
  • Ingmar Carlson – engineering for mix

Charts

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Chart (2017) Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)[29] 80
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[30] 49
Czech Republic (Singles Digitál Top 100)[31] 73
New Zealand Heatseekers (RMNZ)[32] 3
Philippines (Philippine Hot 100)[33] 5
Scotland (OCC)[34] 86
Slovakia (Singles Digitál Top 100)[35] 82
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[36] 97
US Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles (Billboard)[37] 1
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[38] 39

Certifications

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Region Certification Certified units/sales
Canada (Music Canada)[39] Gold 40,000
United States (RIAA)[40] 2× Platinum 2,000,000

Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References

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  1. ^ Staff Writers (July 27, 2017). "Macklemore releases new track 'Marmalade' with Lil Yachty". Music Insight. Retrieved July 28, 2017.
  2. ^ a b "Macklemore & Lil Yachty Turn Heads on New Single "Marmalade"". HipHopDX. July 26, 2017. Retrieved July 28, 2017.
  3. ^ Trevor, Smith (June 18, 2017). "Lil Yachty Says He "Worked on Something Really Dope" With Macklemore". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved July 28, 2017.
  4. ^ Roger, Krastz (June 16, 2017). "Lil Yachty Wants to Break Barriers, Says "F*!k Album Sales"". XXL. Retrieved July 28, 2017.
  5. ^ Jessica, Young (July 25, 2017). "Macklemore drops new track". LemonWire. Retrieved July 28, 2017.
  6. ^ Tony, Centeno (July 27, 2017). "Macklemore Enlists Lil Yachty For His New Single "Marmalade"". Vibe. Retrieved July 28, 2017.
  7. ^ Jon, Powell (July 26, 2017). "Macklemore Debuts New Single "Marmalade" Feat. Lil Yachty". Respect. Retrieved July 28, 2017.
  8. ^ Magdalena, Bury (July 27, 2017). ""Public Enemies: JAY-Z vs Kanye West" Trailer is Here, Swizz Calls For Another Beat Battle | Source News Flash". The Source. Retrieved July 28, 2017.
  9. ^ a b Peter, Berry (July 26, 2017). "Lil Yachty Joins Macklemore for New Collab "Marmalade"". XXL. Retrieved July 28, 2017.
  10. ^ Nick, Mojica (July 26, 2017). "Macklemore and Lil Yachty Link Up for 'Marmalade' [LISTEN]". The Boombox. Retrieved July 28, 2017.
  11. ^ Tyler, Schmitt (July 26, 2017). "Macklemore & Lil Yachty Recorded Their New Track 'Marmalade' on Election Night". Variance. Retrieved July 28, 2017.
  12. ^ a b "New Music: Macklemore feat. Lil Yachty – 'Marmalade'". Rap-Up. July 26, 2017. Retrieved July 28, 2017.
  13. ^ Carl, Lamarre (July 26, 2017). "Macklemore Taps Lil Yachty for His Syrupy Track 'Marmalade'". Billboard. Retrieved July 28, 2017.
  14. ^ Brian, Josephs (July 26, 2017). "Macklemore – "Marmalade" ft. Lil Yachty". Spin. Retrieved July 28, 2017.
  15. ^ Aaron, Williams (July 26, 2017). "Macklemore And Lil Yachty's Happy-Rap Collab 'Marmalade' Is A Sunny, Syrupy Jam". Uproxx. Retrieved July 28, 2017.
  16. ^ Josiah, Hughes (July 26, 2017). "Macklemore Teams Up with Lil Yachty for "Marmalade"". Exclaim!. Retrieved July 28, 2017.
  17. ^ Madeline, Roth (July 26, 2017). "Macklemore And Lil Yachty's New Song Sounds Like It's Coming From An Ice Cream Truck". MTV News. Archived from the original on July 28, 2017. Retrieved July 28, 2017.
  18. ^ Kyle, Neubeck (July 27, 2017). "Macklemore Links With Lil Yachty for New Song "Marmalade"". Complex. Retrieved July 28, 2017.
  19. ^ Mitch, Findlay (July 26, 2017). "Macklemore - Marmalade Feat. Lil Yachty [New Song]". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved July 28, 2017.
  20. ^ a b Robertson, Darryl (2017-08-02). "Watch Kid Macklemore And Kid Lil Yachty Enjoy Life In "Marmalade (Video)"". VIBE.com.
  21. ^ Butler, Will (2017-08-02). "Watch Macklemore and Lil Yachty in new music video for 'Marmalade' - NME". NME | Music, Film, TV, Gaming & Pop Culture News.
  22. ^ Lamarre, Carl (August 2, 2017). "Macklemore Delivers His Fun-Filled Video 'Marmalade' With Lil Yachty & NFL Star Marshawn Lynch". Billboard. Retrieved 2021-03-03.
  23. ^ a b Reed, Ryan (2017-08-02). "Watch Mini Macklemore, Lil Yachty Host Pool Party in 'Marmalade' Video". Rolling Stone.
  24. ^ Cheung, HP (2017-08-02). "Watch Macklemore's "Marmalade" Video Featuring Lil Yachty". HYPEBEAST.
  25. ^ Berry, Peter A. (August 2, 2017). "Macklemore Drops 'Marmalade' Video With Lil Yachty - XXL". XXL Mag.
  26. ^ Neubeck, Kyle (August 2, 2017). "Watch Marshawn Lynch and Macklemore Troll Tom Brady in "Marmalade" Video". Complex.
  27. ^ "Video: Macklemore feat. Lil Yachty – 'Marmalade'". Rap-Up. August 2, 2017.
  28. ^ Macklemore, LLC (26 July 2017). "MACKLEMORE FEAT LIL YACHTY - MARMALADE". YouTube. Retrieved July 28, 2017.
  29. ^ "ARIA Chart Watch #434". auspOp. August 19, 2017. Archived from the original on August 19, 2017. Retrieved August 19, 2017.
  30. ^ "Macklemore Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved August 15, 2017.
  31. ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Digital Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select 33. týden 2017 in the date selector. Retrieved August 22, 2017.
  32. ^ "NZ Heatseekers Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. August 7, 2017. Retrieved August 4, 2017.
  33. ^ "BillboardPH Hot 100". Billboard Philippines. Retrieved October 2, 2017.
  34. ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved August 5, 2017.
  35. ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Singles Digital Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select 34. týden 2017 in the date selector. Retrieved August 29, 2017.
  36. ^ "Macklemore feat. Lil Yachty – Marmalade". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved August 7, 2017.
  37. ^ "Macklemore Chart History (Bubbling Under Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved August 8, 2017.
  38. ^ "Macklemore Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved August 8, 2017.
  39. ^ "Canadian single certifications – Macklemore – Marmalade". Music Canada. Retrieved April 4, 2022.
  40. ^ "American single certifications – Macklemore – Marmalade". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved January 18, 2024.