Macklemore has spoken out after chanting “fuck America” at a recent festival in aid of Palestine, saying he wished he had “been in a better place with my grief and anger”.
The statement came during a set at the Palestine Will Live Forever Festival in Seattle on Saturday night (September 21). Days later, the rapper was dropped from the lineup of Las Vegas’ Neon City Festival “due to unforeseen circumstances”.
Now, he’s explained his comments in an Instagram post. “My thoughts and feelings are not always expressed perfectly or politely. Sometimes I slip up and get caught in the moment. Saturday night was one of those times,” he wrote today (September 25). “I strive to always lead with love in an effort to bring people together and never to create more division.”
Rapper Macklemore says “F*ck America” in a concert in Seattle.pic.twitter.com/tLP39mNPP1
— Defiant World (@DefiantWorld) September 22, 2024
The ‘Same Love’ rapper went on to highlight that the Palestine Will Live Forever festival was “rooted in peace, love and solidarity”, adding that the “historic event” had now become “overshadowed by two words”.
“I wish I had been in a better place with my grief and anger. But the truth is I’m not ok. I haven’t been,” he wrote. “The last 11.5 months of watching a genocide unfold in front of us has been excruciating on a spiritual, emotional and human level. I have been in utter disbelief with how our government is showing up at this moment in history. I don’t think I’m alone.
“I am outraged by the fact that we lack money for healthcare, affordable housing and education in America yet we send billions to Israel to commit internationally recognized war crimes. I don’t think I’m alone.”
Macklemore. Credit: Kristy Sparow/Getty Images
The statement continued: “And some days I wake up, see another couple billion dollars given to Israel, or another refugee encampment destroyed, or a father holding a limb from his martyred child, or another speech from a politician justifying the right of Israel to ‘defend itself’ while denying Palestinians the right to exist, and I say to myself…. ‘Fuck America.’ | don’t think l’m alone.
“But do not misconstrue the word ‘fuck’ for the word ‘hate.’ It’s different to be angry than to disown. My ‘fuck’ – my anger – is rooted not in distain for where I was born but in anguish for how we can collectively allow this to continue. It is not directed at the people that make up our country, but towards our government who refuse to listen to us. It is directed at the politicians who have put profit over people, who put lobbyist money over their moral compass. I think, ‘How are these people representing us as a country?’ I don’t think I’m alone.”
Macklemore concluded his statement, writing: “I’ve slipped in front of the world before. I’m sure I’ll do it again. But they will not silence my voice, and they will not close my heart. I’ve lost endorsements, I’ve lost shows, l’ve lost business ties. I am still here, unwavering in my support for a Free Palestine. I care about humanity and this earth too much to turn back now.
“My intent always comes back to the pursuit of peace, love, equality and liberation for all. And that isn’t radical, it’s human. I don’t think l’m alone.”
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On Friday (September 20) he released his new track ‘Hind’s Hall 2’, which is the sequel to his song ‘Hind’s Hall’ – released in May. It was named after Columbia University’s Hamilton’s Hall, which was renamed Hind’s Hall by pro-Palestine student activists in honour of Hind Rajab – a child killed by Israeli forces in Gaza.
The new track ‘Hind’s Hall 2’ uses emotive lyrics, with singer Anees on the chorus saying; “In our lifetime we will be free / And though they can bury us / They will discover that we are seeds.”
The chorus also contains the slogan “from the river to the sea”, which is widely used by pro-Palestinian protestors.
Later in the song, Macklemore addresses Kamala Harris and references the Uncommitted movement, which aims to halt U.S. arms shipments to Israel, curb the country’s indiscriminate actions in Gaza, and stop the war. He raps: “Hey Kamala, I don’t know if you’re listening / But stop sending money and weapons or you ain’t winning Michigan / We uncommitted / and hell no we ain’t switching positions.”
The song is accompanied by a music video directed by Omar Alali and features footage from Gaza over the last 11 months.
Macklemore has said that all proceeds from the track will go to The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA).
The original ‘Hinds Hall’ was surprise-released in May. Tom Morello praised the track, branding it “the most Rage Against The Machine song since Rage Against The Machine”.
He previously delivered a rousing speech at a pro-Palestine rally calling the conflict a “genocide”, and in October last year, was one of many celebrities who signed an open letter urging President Joe Biden to call for a ceasefire. He joined Dua Lipa, Killer Mike, and Michael Stipe in calling for “an immediate de-escalation and ceasefire in Gaza and Israel before another life is lost.”
Last month Macklemore cancelled his gig in Dubai in an effort to “boycott doing business in UAE” due to the ongoing crisis in Sudan.
Earlier this year, he announced a one-off performance in Dubai, due October 4 at the Coca-Cola Arena. He later shared that he was contacted by people requesting him to cancel the date “in solidarity with the people of Sudan and to boycott doing business in UAE for the role they are playing in the ongoing genocide and humanitarian crisis in the region,” he wrote on social media.
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