Macklemore says ‘F*** America’ comments at Seattle concert stem from anguish, not hate

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SEATTLE — Rapper and Grammy winner Macklemore released a statement Wednesday after facing backlash for the controversial comments he made while on stage at a pro-Palestine festival in Seattle over the weekend.

Video circulated on social media of the rapper from Seattle, whose legal name is Ben Haggerty,saying “F*** America” at the "Palestine Will Live Forever Fest" in Seattle's Seward Park.

Macklemore received criticism for his comments on stage and was later dropped from the lineup of the Neon City Festival in Las Vegas days after he was announced as the headliner. The Seattle Kraken and Seattle Sounders FC issued a joint statement on Monday, and the Seattle Mariners issued a statement about the comments on Tuesday.

On Wednesday, Macklemore responded with a lengthy statement on social media saying, in part, “my thoughts and feelings are not always expressed perfectly or politely,” and that sometimes he “slips up and gets caught in a moment.” The musician said Saturday was one of those times.

RELATED | Seattle sports teams evaluate ties with Macklemore after controversial concert remarks

Video shot by Cam Higby, who was there to document the event, captured the comments made by Macklemore while he was on stage: "Straight up, say it, I'm not gonna stop you. I’m not gonna stop you. “Um, yeah, F*** America."

Macklemore posted on social media Wednesday saying Saturday's event has been overshadowed by two words. He wrote he wished he'd been in a better place with his grief and anger, "But the truth is I'm not ok. I haven't been."

Macklemore wrote the F-word should not be misconstrued as hate, but rather his anger and that it's rooted not in disdain for where he was born but in “anguish for how we can collectively allow this to continue.”

The 41-year-old wrote he's been in “utter disbelief with how our government is showing up at this moment in history,” and that “I have been disillusioned and disheartened as our government has continued to unequivocally fund and support Israel's on-going violence against the people of Palestine.”

Macklemore continued to say he's “slipped in front of the world before” and is sure he'll do it again, "But they will not silence my voice, and they will not close my heart."

On Wednesday, the Council on American Islamic Relations provided KOMO News with a statement regarding the rapper's latest social media response:

"We feel his latest statement was thoughtful and reflective of someone who has been traumatized by a year-long genocide. Just like all of us who love our country but feel let down by our government, who continue to approve the endless bombing with our tax dollars. His statement illustrates his awareness of his role as a public figure but also shows consistency in standing up for the human rights issue of our time."

RELATED | Macklemore dropped by Las Vegas music festival days after controversial comments

“I’ve lost endorsements I've lost shows, I've lost business ties,” Macklemore wrote. “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.”

Click here to read Macklemore’s full statement posted to social media.

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