Macklemore at the Grammys: Exclusive Photos of the MC’s Big Night
Macklemore and Ryan Lewis cleaned up at the 56th Annual Grammy Awards Sunday night, picking up Best New Artist in addition to three trophies in the rap category. But the night was special for reasons beyond golden gramophones: with a little help from Queen Latifah and Madonna, the group oversaw a mass wedding of 33 straight and gay couples during their performance of "Same Love." Rolling Stone recounted the duo's rise in a recent cover story, and the pair invited us along for a behind-the-scenes peek at their Grammy experience.
Here Macklemore arrives to rehearsal at SIR studios to listen to the brass section's part of the performance.
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Macklemore (a.k.a. Ben Haggerty) is a bit distracted because he visited a friend in the hospital right before coming to the studio. Lewis is exhausted from putting in long hours arranging new music for the performance.
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Macklemore greets choir members who're taking a break from reheasing and takes a few moments to discuss his hometown football team, the Seahawks, going to the Super Bowl.
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After shaking hands with everyone in the room, Macklemore finally finds a peaceful moment to have lunch.
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Macklemore're fianceé Tricia stops by to say hi and express excitement about the upcoming show.
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Queen Latifah's script for the wedding ceremony.
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Macklemore relieves pre-show jitters by shopping online for shoes.
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Macklemore checking out a pair of Saint Laurent shoes.
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Mary Lambert belting at rehearsals: "I'm not crying on Sunday."
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Lewis comforts Lambert as band members joke, "It's Saturday, Mary, it's OK to cry today." Lewis tells her to hold the tears till the very end of the performance if she can.
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The following day, Macklemore arrives to get his outfit together for the Clive Davis pre-Grammy party.
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Macklemore has his pants hemmed for the Grammys.
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Macklemore checks the fit of his dress pants in the mirror.
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Macklemore makes key outfit decisions before going to Clive Davis' pre-Grammy party.
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Macklemore takes a breather — while he gets a haircut.
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Multitasking, Macklemore smiles as he watches the final cut of his YouTube tour documentary series.
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A stranger recognizes Macklemore and asks if he is a singer. Ben jokingly responds," No, I can't sing at all."
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Running late to rehearsal, Macklemore texts his manager Zach telling him we were coming as fast as possible.
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Macklemore naps in an empty dressing room after rehearsals.
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On the morning of the Grammys, Macklemore makes tea with massive amounts of raw honey, lime and ginger. He drinks this remedy nonstop for his throat.
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Macklemore tries on different shirts for his Grammy performance. He's still exhausted from being out late the night before.
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Macklemore adjusts his bolo tie in the mirror.
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Macklemore's bodyguard surprises Ben by bringing DMC into his hotel room.
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Macklemore bringing his tea mixings to the Staples Center.
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Waiting for the elevator on the way to dress rehearsal.
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Another hotel patron recognizes Macklemore in the elevator (being trailed by a photographer doesn't help).
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The band meets outside as everyone gathers what they need for the Grammys rehearsal.
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Macklemore's parents wish him luck in the hotel parking lot.
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Macklemore rests before getting dressed. Everyone clears the dressing room so he can have a quiet moment during a chaotic day.
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Logan Neitzel, Macklemore's main designer, follows carrying in his wardrobe for the performance and red carpet.
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Macklemore and his bodyguard wait at artist check-in for everyone's bags to be searched.
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The band rehearses at Staples Center to an empty room, then meets Madonna and Queen Latifah.
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Makeup room before the red carpet and beginning of the show. Zach his manager goes over the schedule of red carpet and show time once more
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Logan re-adjusts Macklemore's outfit and tie. It's showtime.
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Lewis and Macklemore try to fight their nerves.