Few major music artists in the U.S. have called out the Palestinian genocide as often or as loudly as Macklemore. The rapper has been a vocal critic of Netanyahu, Trump, and other Zionist politicians who back the Israeli government. With “Hind’s Hall” and its sequel, Macklemore took an unambiguous stand against human rights abuses. Now he’s back with another anti-fascist anthem, “F—-d Up.” He’s taking his activism a step by donating all proceeds from the song to UNRWAUSA (the United Nations Relief and Works Agency) in support of the relief and human development of Palestinian refugees. Here’s how reactions to his song and anti-fascist politics are playing out online.
Macklemore Makes a ‘F—-d Up’ Donation to Charity
White House distractions like renaming the Gulf of Mexico haven’t kept Macklemore and other human rights and anti-genocide advocates from speaking out. UNRWAUSA is reportedly responsible for two-thirds of the aid deliveries entering Gaza, delivering life-saving resources to those in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. The rapper’s new song expresses support for Sudan, Congo, and Palestine, with a clear critique of both Zionism and American imperialism. As one verse puts it,
And you know how the West thinks: it’s all about the West banks
Call a ceasefire, then start annexing the West Bank
How you think Israel gets money for the best tanks?
And Netanyahu loves Trump, he’s like, “Yup, thanks!”
The Democratic and Republican parties have both supported the Israeli government for decades. Maintaining an uninterrupted flow of military funding to Israel, regardless of how it used the American bombs and other weapons, has been a popular policy position on both sides of the aisle. Trump may be the most recent face of America’s role in the genocide, but he’s far from the only one.
Macklemore’s Instagram post about the song and charity donation has already received over 117k likes and numerous supportive comments. As one commenter put it, “respect man – more guts than most in the industry.” Another seemed to summarize what many were thinking, saying,
Thank you for being our voice. For writing out what’s in our hearts….. This was pure poetry [sic]
Celebrities like Macklemore and Kendrick Lamar are using their platforms to speak out, fundraise, and give hope to others, which is a welcome sight. As long as human rights abuses and atrocities continue throughout the world, artists and activists will fight against them. Now, they have a new theme song to fight to.
