Macklemore canceled an upcoming October concert in Dubai, citing the United Arab Emirates‘ role in the “ongoing genocide and humanitarian crisis” in Sudan. Since April of last year, the African nation has been mired in a civil war that has killed upward of 15,000 people, with the government accusing the UAE of fueling the conflict by funding and arming a rival paramilitary force — an allegation that the Arab country has denounced as “ludicrous.”
The Grammy-winning artist said he reached the decision “after careful thought, numerous conversations with trusted organizers and friends and my own reading/research.” He wrote in a lengthy Instagram post Saturday, “I don’t take this decision lightly and think it’s important to explain why.”
“Over the last several months, I’ve had a number of people reach out to me, sharing resources and asking me to cancel the show in solidarity with the people of Sudan and to boycott doing business in UAE for the role they are playing in the ongoing genocide and humanitarian crisis in the region,” the rapper wrote. “It was important for me to learn and really get a grasp on the situation. I never wanted to make a decision out of fear but a measured one from the heart.”
Per the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, more than 10 million have been displaced by the conflict, with over 25 million individuals (more than half the population of Sudan) facing acute hunger as a result of the crisis. Three-quarters of a million people are on the brink of famine. Sexual violence and rape is widespread toward women and girls, with the Human Rights Watch indicating that genocide, ethnic cleansing and crimes against humanity may have been committed in the West Darfur region of Sudan.
The conflict erupted in mid-April 2023 between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Sudan. Recent roots of the ethnic conflict can be traced back to the 2003 genocide in Darfur. Sudan and UAE clashed at a UN Security Council meeting in mid-June of this year regarding the conflict, with the former saying that the RSF has been bolstered by UAE weaponry to “deliberately and systematically” target villages and cities — an accusation that UN sanctions monitors have deemed “credible.” The UAE has continued denying military involvement in the war and is involved in peace talks on the matter.
“At the end of the day I have to ask myself what is my intention as an artist? The last 10 months I’ve been learning what factors/motivators feed genocide and global systemic oppression,” the artist continued. “I keep getting led back to self interest over collective interest at the root. Capitalism is the glue that holds this ideology together. And if I take the money, while knowing it doesn’t sit right with my spirit, how am I any different than the politicians I’ve been actively protesting against? How can I be outraged by their lack of integrity while compromising my own? How am I different than the countries that put dollars and power over human life?”
The “Thrift Shop” singer said he was spurred to action by “the plight of the Palestinian people,” whom he has tirelessly supported, such as through his recent release “Hind’s Hall,” in which he criticizes Zionism, AIPAC and President Joe Biden while uplifting collegiate protests and calling for a ceasefire.
He wrote, “Although dismantling systemic oppression might not fully happen during my lifetime, our collective analysis is evolving. That is where it starts. When we realize our individual liberation IS Palestinian liberation. Is Sudanese liberation. Is Congolese liberation. We are being called in this moment to advocate for the most marginalized around the world. To put our own luxury and abundance aside for the collective pursuit of freedom and safety for all. What are we willing to risk in order to uproot the systems that depend on genocide for monetary gain?”
Macklemore concluded, “I know that this will probably jeopardize my future shows in the area, and I truly hate letting any of my fans down. I was really excited too. But until the UAE stops arming and funding the RSF I will not perform there.”
He added that while he disagrees with the actions of many countries in which he performs, he made the decision to cancel the Dubai concert over the “urgent, horrific” Sudanese conflict which is “going largely unnoticed globally.” “I’m following the lead of Sudanese organizers and activists who are trying to be heard,” he said.
Though the songwriter said he holds “no judgment” against artists choosing to perform in the UAE, he posed a question to his peers: “If we used our platforms to mobilize collective liberation, what could we accomplish?”
“Ultimately, I hope this brings more awareness and conversation about the urgent humanitarian crisis in Sudan. As always, my message is love,” he stated.