Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
Arts & Entertainment
Everything About That Macklemore 'Surprise' Bus Video Is A Lie
By
Ben Yakas
Published Jan 18, 2014
Modified Jan 18, 2014
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Ben Yakas
Published Jan 18, 2014
Modified Jan 18, 2014
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
This week, Macklemore and Ryan Lewis surprised a bus full of New Yorkers by performing in transit as part of a promotional video for the GRAMMYs [sic]. We—like those delighted, multi-ethnic, toilet paper-throwing bus patrons—were completely charmed by the spontaneity of the tag-popping, bargain-hunting duo. Or at least we were charmed until we learned that it was all a lie.
Let's peel back the onion: an MTA spokesman confirmed to us that the stunt was not pre-authorized by the MTA. In addition, the bus used in the video doesn’t match the models currently on the Bx6 route. Across the board, commercial projects have to get the MTA's approval before using their equipment (with their name on it) in shoots; there are decommissioned buses which can be privately rented though.
But it goes deeper: Bob Rayburn, the creative director of TBWA/Chiat Day, told WPIX in a statement that the video was shot in Morningside Heights on “a real MTA bus that we had hired for the production so that we could pack it with the hidden cameras.” LIES UPON LIES ON A SOILED BED OF SECOND-HAND CLOTHING.
"Our passengers had no idea what was in store for them. What you see is their real reactions to the music and the performance from Macklemore & Ryan Lewis,” Rayburn said. Ahh, but it's not like the GRAMMYs [sic] could just start picking up passengers on the Bx6 route whilst pretending to be the MTA—which means these had to be hired actors. Maybe they weren't told what they were doing on the bus, or the fact that they would come face-to-face with an Album Of The Year nominee, but these were not regular New Yorkers so much as they were handpicked seat fillers with degrees in acting surprised.
Something tells us this conspiracy goes even deeper—dancing grandmothers are not above reproach anymore.
Tagged
bus
Grammy's
lies
macklemore
MTA
Ben Yakas
Ben Yakas is a former Gothamist reporter.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE arts-entertainment
The Knicks are NBA champions. Now they have to start dressing the part.
Before they attempt to fend off LeBron James and the 76ers on Tuesday, the Knicks will have a chance to show off their winning mentality through their tunnel fits.
By
Sonia Rao
Published Oct 19, 2026
Will Barnes and Noble in the East Village spell doom for smaller shops? It's complicated.
Independent booksellers are grappling with whether the big-box chain is a threat or an ally in the fight against Amazon.
By
Sonia Rao
Arts & Entertainment
Will Barnes and Noble in the East Village spell doom for smaller shops? It's complicated.
Independent booksellers are grappling with whether the big-box chain is a threat or an ally in the fight against Amazon.
By
Sonia Rao
Can eligible NYC singles find love with 30 minutes and some really spicy food?
By
Elizabeth Shwe
and
James Ramsay
How the NYC Marathon has changed in the last 50 years
By
Hannah Frishberg
A visit to Art of Play, the Brooklyn store in an animatronic bird beef with Kelly Clarkson
By
Sonia Rao
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .