Macklemore Explains Why He And Ryan Lewis Parted Ways

So why isn't Ryan Lewis producing Macklemore's new Gemini album?

After the rapper's last LP, This Unruly Mess I've Made, the two decided to step back. A lot of it had to do with one song in particular.

"It was a decision that we both came to," said Macklemore on Sway in the Morning. "I think with the last album and how intense it was at times, particularly making "White Privilege II,' [we had to take a break.] I think it was really heavy to make a nine-minute song about race and again, it should be heavy."

"I think with that and other songs we did, it was time to step back a little bit," he explained. "And Ryan was the one that actually brought it up to me, and he was like 'I feel like I would be the worst producer for you right now.' I think that was the best thing that he could have said because we needed that space."