Seattle Sports Teams Condemn Macklemore’s ‘F–k America’ Song

Macklemore’s chants of “Go to hell, America!” drew condemnation from three local Seattle sports teams. According to fox 13 seattleMajor League Baseball’s Seattle Mariners have joined the National Hockey League’s Seattle Kraken and the NFL’s Seattle Sounders FC in criticizing rapper Thrift Shop over controversial comments he made at the city’s Palestine Lives Forever concert last weekend.

“We are aware of the incident and agree with other teams in the city: Sports and music should unite us, not divide us,” Mariners vice president of communications Tim Heffley said in a statement to the station. “We continue to monitor and research the latest developments.”

Macklemore performed a new song at the show called “Hind’s Hall 2,” a sequel to his song of the same name, with proceeds going to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), which provides assistance to Palestinian refugees. “Just say it straight, I won’t stop you. I won’t stop you… Yeah,” Macklemore told the crowd in a fan video from the show. F-K America“.”

On Tuesday, Macklemore was dropped from the lineup for the Las Vegas Neon City festival without giving a reason. In a lengthy statement on Wednesday, Macklemore — who has been a vocal supporter of the Palestinian people amid the year-long war sparked by Hamas’ deadly attack on Israel on Oct. 7 — explained his reasoning for the show.

“Unfortunately, the historic event in my hometown that brought thousands of people together to raise awareness and funds for the people of Palestine was overshadowed by two words,” he said, adding that he had not been “well” in the months since the war between Israel and Hamas broke out after the militant group killed more than 1,200 Israelis and kidnapped more than 250 others. “I have been in complete disbelief at how our government has shown itself at this moment in history. I don’t think I’m alone. Some days I don’t know how to love something that hurts others so much. I don’t think I’m alone.”

Following a surprise attack by Hamas almost a year ago, Israel has launched a relentless bombing campaign on Gaza that Palestinian health authorities say has killed more than 41,000 people and driven most of its more than 2 million residents from their homes. Israel has also recently opened a second front in the war in Lebanon, where attacks on Iran’s Hezbollah group this week have already killed more than 500 people, while the Pentagon fears a possible Israeli ground invasion could spark a devastating regional war.

Macklemore’s 2012 song “Can’t Hold Us” was a staple of the Mariners’ seventh-inning games, and Heffley’s statement comes after the Sounders and Kraken distanced themselves from the rapper earlier this week; Macklemore and his wife, Tricia Davis, are minority co-owners of both the Sounders and Kraken.

“We believe that sports bring people together and unite. We are aware of McLemore’s increasingly divisive comments, and they do not reflect the values ​​of our ownership groups, leagues or organizations,” the Sounders and Kraken said in a statement. Joint Statement According to Fox 13, as backlash over the suspension continues, the Mariners, Kraken and Sounders are “evaluating their next steps regarding his involvement with their respective organizations.”

At the time of publication, Macklemore’s spokesperson was no longer available. BillboardRequest comment.