Rapper Benjamin Hammond Haggerty, known professionally as Macklemore, has responded to criticism after encouraging his crowd to chant "f--- America" during a weekend performance.
During the debut performance of his latest track "Hinds Hall 2" at a Palestine Will Live Forever benefit festival in Seattle on Saturday, Macklemore appeared to react to someone's remarks in the crowd and told his audience that he wouldn't stop them from expressing their opinion.
“Straight up say it, I’m not gonna stop you," the rapper said. "Yeah, f--- America," he added, prompting the crowd to erupt with applause.
The rapper faced backlash for his remark and was later dropped from headlining the inaugural Neon City Festival this November.
On Wednesday, Macklemore took to Instagram to address the controversy in a long text post. The rapper began his statement by acknowledging, "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," Macklemore wrote, adding he strives to "lead with love" and "never to create more division." "The 'Palestine Will Live Forever' festival I performed at was rooted in peace, love and solidarity," he continued. "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."
Macklemore posts statement on Instagram after telling the crowd “F**k America” during the Palestine Will Live Forever Festival.
“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… pic.twitter.com/FGRbubyvIX
— XXL Magazine (@XXL) September 26, 2024
Macklemore said he wished he had "been in a better place" with his emotions, though candidly admitted, "The truth is I'm not ok. I haven't been." The rapper then detailed witnessing the horrors of the military conflict in the Middle East through photos and videos shared online.
"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," Macklemore wrote. "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."
The rapper then turned his criticism toward America, saying he was "outraged by the fact that we lack money for healthcare, affordable housing and education," despite the United States' foreign aid to Israel amidst their conflict in Gaza.
"I watch democrats sign bills to ban semi-automatic assault rifles after another horrific school shooting takes place, then turn around and use the same ink to send those same weapons off to Israel to kill the children of Palestine. I feel insane. I don't think I'm alone," he continued. "Some days I don't know how to love something that is hurting others so much. I don't think I'm alone."
Macklemore said he has been "mobilized" to protest "on behalf of all those that have been murdered by Netayahu's [sic] regime" and praised those in the Jewish community who have also expressed criticism over Israel's military response.
"I have found hope in our young people, who have been willing to risk their degrees by participating in college encampments to demand a ceasefire. I have been revitalized by their hearts guiding them towards justice and peace, risking their future diplomas. I don't think I'm alone," his post continued. "But some days the darkness outshines the light, and it's hard to see the path ahead to justice. I get lost in what our world has become. Some days the genocide displayed on my screen is too much for my spirit to stare at in such clarity."
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.
The rapper clarified his used of the word "f---" came from a place of anger rather than hate.
"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," he wrote.
"But I care," Macklemore asserted, adding his feeling was rooted in the "legacy of protests and resistance of past generations" and cited the Civil Rights Movement and opposition to the Vietnam War.
"This moment is calling us as Americans to rise and recognize our collective power rather than succumb to our own apathy," Macklemore wrote. "It is beckoning us to gain a shared analysis around the systems of oppression that are currently running our country so we can evolve, ensuring that ALL of our children can live in a more equitable world, and not only a few."
Macklemore concluded his post by acknowledging he would continue to lose shows and other business ties over his support for 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," he concluded. "And that isn't radical, it's human. I don't think I'm alone."
