Salute to Macklemore & Ryan Lewis on their album The Heist debuting at #2 on the Billboard chart with approximately 78,000 albums sold–totally on the independent tip. They are talented artists who make music with a message–an increasing rarity. We’ve been supporting them for a while. It’s great to see artists who are doing it for the love rewarded. Here’s an interview with Macklemore and you can read his message to the fans below. You can purchase The Heist here. Related: Macklemore rhymes in The Backroom on 106 & Park (Video)

Here’s what Macklemore had to say on Facebook.

“The fact that a small group people recording, mixing, editing videos and shipping albums from a 500 sq foot room can push 78,000 their first week is a testament to the fans. They are the ones that pushed this album, spread the word, and brought so much attention to what we do.

The music industry is coming to a point where what big companies have on their agenda can’t compete with what the people want. You guys who supported this album made it #2 on the Billboard charts. No big budget, no cosigns, no radio department. Just people that connect and care about the art enough to buy it, stand behind it and spread it amongst friends and family. 78,000 sold independently. I could have never dreamed this. Thank you all. #sharkfacegang”