Macklemore Kicked Off Festival, Sponsors ‘Distance’ After Backlash Over Anti-American Comments

SEATTLE, WA. (THECOUNT) — Macklemore, the Grammy-winning rapper, has issued a public statement following the backlash he faced for saying “f*** America” during the Palestine Will Live Forever benefit festival. He described the outburst as a “slip up” and reaffirmed his “unwavering” support for the Palestinian cause. The rapper urged Americans to “rise and recognize our collective power rather than succumb to our own apathy,” emphasizing that the event was “rooted in peace, love, and solidarity.” Macklemore also expressed regret that the event had been “overshadowed by two words.”

However, the consequences of his statement have been significant. On September 24, less than a week after being announced as a headliner, Macklemore was dropped from the inaugural Neon City Festival. The organizers cited “unforeseen circumstances” for his removal, though it’s clear that his comments were a driving factor. Two Seattle sports franchises that had partnerships with Macklemore also distanced themselves from him. In a joint statement, they condemned his “increasingly divisive comments,” with one Seattle Mariners executive remarking, “Sports and music should connect, not divide us.”

Macklemore responded claiming that he had been struggling with “grief and anger,” in light of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. He wrote in part:

“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. 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.”

Read Macklemore’s full statement below.

In his statement, Macklemore drew comparisons between the children being killed in Gaza and his own kids, expressing outrage at the U.S. government’s financial support of Israel. He argued that billions of dollars are being spent on military aid to Israel while issues like healthcare, affordable housing, and education in the U.S. go underfunded. He further praised Jewish activists who have protested against Israel’s actions, highlighting their messages of “not in our name” and “never again means never again for everyone.”

What Macklemore did not mention, however, is the substantial amount of aid the U.S. has also provided to Ukraine in its war against Russia. Billions of dollars have been allocated to support Ukraine, yet this aspect of U.S. foreign aid has rarely been touched upon by the artist, despite his passionate critique of America’s spending priorities. Some critics have pointed out the inconsistency, asking why Macklemore has remained silent on the Ukraine conflict while focusing heavily on Israel.

Macklemore’s appearance at the Palestine Will Live Forever benefit followed the release of his pro-Palestine songs “Hind’s Hall” and “Hind’s Hall 2,” which featured Palestinian American artists Anees and Amer Zahr, as well as Gaza-born rapper MC Abdul and a Los Angeles-based Palestinian youth choir. The event raised funds for aid organizations such as Pious Projects, HEAL Palestine, United Nations Relief and Works Agency, and the Palestine Children’s Relief Fund. While Macklemore has remained adamant in his support for Palestine, the fallout from his remarks continues to challenge his public image and career.

Full statement:

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.

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 see dismembered kids in Gaza being pulled out of rubble, murder by U.S. manufactured bombs. I see my own children in their lifeless bodies. 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.

Yet, I have been mobilized by the millions of people around the world taking to the streets to protest on behalf of all those that have been murdered by Netanyahu’s regime. I have been in awe and inspired by those in the Jewish community that have courageously shown up in solidarity, marching with posters at protests stating “not in our name” and “never again means never again for everyone.” I don’t think I’m alone.

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