Macklemore & Ryan Lewis reached back into rap history for their latest single by recruiting Grandmaster Caz, Kool Moe Dee, and Melle Mel to appear on the track. The beat is skeletal and brassy, splitting the difference between early '80s funk and late '80s hip-hop; before long, the song erupts into a grand, radio-ready hook.
The duo worked with Jason Koenig to direct the "Downtown" video. The clip was shot in Spokane, WA, and the production was big enough that the town's central business district was temporarily shut down during filming. Grandmaster Caz, Kool Moe Dee and Melle Mel all appear in the video.
Macklemore & Ryan Lewis will perform the song live for the first time at this Sunday's VMAs.
