Macklemore Releases Statement, Clarifies ‘F— America’ Chant in Seattle: ‘They Will Not Silence My Voice’

September 26, 2024 E Jazz Reporter

Artistes

On Tuesday (Sept. 24), the rapper was dropped from Las Vegas’ Neon City Festival lineup.

Macklemore performs at 2016 Many Rivers to Cross Festival at Bouckaert Farm on Oct. 1, 2016 in Fairburn, Ga.

Paras Griffin/Getty Images

Macklemore has released a statement after leading a “f— America” chant at Seattle’s Palestine Will Live Forever Festival over the weekend.

Macklemore performed his new song at the event, “Hind’s Hall 2,” the sequel to his May song of the same name whose proceeds are given to the United Nations Relief and Words Agency (UNRWA), which provides assistance to Palestinian refugees. “Straight up, say it, I’m not gonna stop you,” he told the crowd in a fan video from the show. “I’m not gonna stop you… yeah, f–k America.”

On Tuesday (Sept. 24), the rapper was dropped from Las Vegas’ Neon City Festival lineup.

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In his statement, released on Wednesday, Macklemore explained his mindset leading up to the performance. “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 began his lengthy statement posted to social media.

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“Unfortunately, the historic event in my hometown that brought thousands of people together to raise awareness and money for the people of Palestine has become overshadowed by two words,” he continued, noting that he hasn’t been “OK” in the months since the Israel-Hamas war has broken out. ” 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,” he wrote, “Some days I don’t know how to love something that is hurting others so much. I don’t think I’m alone.”

He 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…. ‘F— America.’ I don’t think I’m alone.”

Macklemore concluded his statement, “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, I’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 I’m alone.”

See Macklemore’s powerful statement in full below.

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