Dear Ben,

First of all, happy birthday! How are you? I haven't heard from you in a while. None of us have, really.

And that's OK. It's to be expected, actually, given the whirlwind of touring, appearances and general moving around you did following The Heist and all of its success. But I've been feeling -- and I think I speak for other fans of Macklemore & Ryan Lewis when I say this -- that's it's about time for some new music. We're getting a bit antsy over here.

We're inching towards a full three years since the October 2012 release of The Heist, so I'm sure you can understand why some of us are anxious for a new album. And it's coming. I know it is, because you said as much in January, confirming that a follow up to your breakout LP would arrive in 2015, but we're about halfway through the year now, still with no new info -- let alone new music.

Here's the thing that I want to make clear, though. I don't want to rush you (given all the time that's passed, I'm not even sure that's possible, but you get the point). The music you make has always been thoughtful, personal, reflective and based on experiences, so I'm glad you've been taking time to live a little and soak it all in before delivering something new.

After all, there's a lot to soak in. You and Ryan went from underground favorites to mainstream champions. But you also faced a lot of criticism in the process -- a large portion of which came from the fact that you cleaned up at the Grammys. And let's not forget: You cleaned up at the Grammys.

With that success, you traveled, saw things, met people. Which reminds me: You made people, too. It really shouldn't have taken me this long into the letter to say this, but congrats! It looks like you and Tricia welcomed a baby into the world earlier this month, so I'm sure that's taking up your time and energy, as it should be. And maybe it's also giving you something to write about, or creating a perspective to inform that writing.

Besides all that's gone on in your own life, the world has continued spinning, and with it, we've seen tragedies and triumphs that have grabbed headlines. You've often taken the opportunity to use your music as a way to address social issues, and I expect things to be no different this time around.

I'm hoping -- and pretty confident -- that, when the time is right, you'll process everything that's been going on for and around you and, with Ryan, provide us with the powerful combo of beats and rhymes that we've come to expect.

I'm just ready for that time to be now.

So, really, I just wanted to say happy birthday, Ben. Happy birthday, and how 'bout some new music?

Congrats again on the little one.

Waiting (Sorta) Patiently,

Adam

Editor's Note: It looks like Macklemore read the letter and I'm taking that "I got you" to mean that the album is on the way.