Macklemore channeled his inner André 3000 for the new music video for “Maniac.”
In the new song with Windser, the Grammy-winning rapper pays homage to some of Andre’s frantic dance techniques from OutKast’s “Hey Ya!” music video while sporting a lime green costume. Famous music journalist Nardwuar also makes a brief appearance in the Jake Magraw-directed video.
In a statement, Macklemore praised the brand-new song’s hook, saying, “The first time I heard Windser singing the hook on ‘Maniac,’ I fell in love with it.” I was unable to get the song out of my head since it is contagious and relatable. All of us have been in relationships that, while they may not always feel healthy, we nonetheless love and are dependent upon and addicted to that person. It is commonplace. Maniac is the tale of that love.
“Maniac” follows Macklemore’s prior release of “CHANT” earlier in 2022, which detailed Macklemore’s most recent battle with substance misuse that resulted in a nearly deadly overdose. It is produced by longtime collaborators Ryan Lewis and Budo.
It’s unclear if “Maniac” and “CHANT” refer to a new album, but if they do, it would be Macklemore’s first release since 2017’s Gemini, which had features from Skylar Grey, Lil Yachty, Offset, Xperience, and others.
The Seattle rapper is also in the middle of a stadium tour in North America with Imagine Dragons. The 19-date tour began on August 5 in Salt Lake City at Rice Eccles Stadium and ends on September 15 in Los Angeles at Banc of California Stadium.
Check out the music video for “Maniac” below.