The Seattle rapper even snuck in a Drake diss while calling out the silence of his music industry peers
On May 6, American rapper Macklemore—who is well-known for hits including “Thrift Shop” and “Can’t Hold Us”—released “Hind’s Hall,” a song that expresses support for Palestine.
The rapper’s most recent three-minute song honors 6-year-old Hind Rajab, who was recently slain by the Israeli forces in Gaza, and is inspired by student protests taking place across the globe.
The song, which features an instrumental sample of Fairuz’s “Ana La Habibi,” also talks on the American experience of watching the conflict in Gaza. Macklemore draws attention to issues such as youth activism, white supremacist signs, continued police violence against nonviolent protestors, and opposition to the present administration.
The people are unwilling to go.What about seeking peace and divesting that is dangerous?From the beginning, Macklemore raps, “Block the barricade until Palestine is free.”
Speaking out about the Israel-Gaza war, he criticizes the way the police put down demonstrations. The song poses the question, “What if you were in Gaza?,” which implores listeners to speak up for justice and especially in support of Palestine. What if those children were your own?
Later, Macklemore emphasizes the Jewish community’s support for Palestine and claims in his songs that criticizing Israel’s “apartheid system” is not anti-Semitic.
The song’s proceeds, which are still not available for streaming, will be sent to UNRWA, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees.
Nevertheless, the song has received millions of views on Macklemore’s Instagram account since it was released, demonstrating the public’s increased awareness of the Palestinian cause.
The artist’s support of Palestine is also not new. Macklemore had previously spoken at pro-Palestinian demonstrations and signed letters urging a truce.
Macklemore dedicated a self-written poem to Palestine during a December 2023 concert, stating that backing Palestine entails promoting equality, respect, and world peace for all.
Almost a year after the conflict began, on October 4, the rapper is scheduled to travel to the Middle East and give a live performance in Dubai.