UNSIGNED, WHITE RAPPER CHANGES MUSIC HISTORY WITH ‘THRIFT SHOP’

On January 24, 2013, the music industry will drastically change, thanks to an unsigned white rapper by the name of Macklemore. Why? Because Macklemore will be the first unsigned artist in over a decade to hit #1 on U.S. Charts, with the song “Thrift Shop.” Not bad for a guy who’s debut full-length album, The Heist, was just a collaboration between friends that sold 78,000 copies in its first week.

RELATED:: Snoop Lion Angers Rastafarians

Macklemore’s achievement is a big warning sign to the mega-labels, Universal Music Group, Sony Music Entertainment, and Warner Music Corporation, who for the first time in quite a while, do not have a number one hit. Through just his massive online following, Macklemore was able to go to top without the help of a gigantic label covering his back or spending millions of dollars on marketing. These labels have to be nervous; no longer do artists need to go through them in order to be successful.