Rappers Macklemore and Ryan Lewis Make Controversial Visit to Aliso Viejo

Rappers Macklemore and Ryan Lewis make their much anticipated, if controversial, visit to Aliso Niguel High School Wednesday.

The artists, best known for singing about tolerance for gays and lesbians, are in Aliso Viejo as part of a contest awarding a performance and a $10,000 grant to the school by Chegg, an online learning site.

The visit almost didn’t happen after the school’s principal cancelled the performance and rejected the money following concerns from some parents that Macklemore and Lewis are poor role models. The school’s decision prompted swift backlash and a petition drive by students.

In the end, the school opted for a compromise, requiring students to obtain permission slips signed by parents before they could attend today’s performance.

“After careful consideration of the varying viewpoints on all sides of the issue surrounding a possible visit by music artists Macklemore and Ryan Lewis, it is my belief that we have developed a plan that will meet the needs of our overall campus community,” Principal Deni Christensen wrote in a letter to parents. “In recognition of our students‘ efforts in winning this contest, and in a desire to provide students with the option of hearing a presentation regarding the music industry, the importance of music education and the arts, along with a Q & A session with these two artists, we will be holding this event after school hours one day in December for students who obtain parent permission, subject to the capacity limits of our gym.”