Macklemore was scheduled to perform at Dubai's Coca-Cola Arena on October 4.
US rapper Macklemore has cancelled a planned show in Dubai due to the United Arab Emirates' (UAE) support for the Sudanese paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
“The current situation in Sudan is urgent and terrifying yet has received little global attention. I am following the lead of Sudanese organizers and activists who want their voices to be heard,” the Grammy Award-winning rapper wrote over the weekend.
Macklemore was scheduled to perform at Dubai's Coca-Cola Arena on October 4. The show is listed on his tour dates on his website.
“Until the UAE stops supplying weapons and funding to the RSF, I will not perform there.”
In April 2023, war broke out between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the RSF in the northeast African country, forcing more than 10.2 million people to flee.
The conflict has exacerbated many of Sudan's existing challenges, including ongoing conflict, disease outbreaks, economic and political instability, and the climate emergency.
The Sudanese military has openly criticized the UAE for supporting the RSF, an allegation the UAE denies but which UN experts say is credible.
The allegations emerged in a heated debate at the UN Security Council in June.
“If I accept money that I know goes against my ethos, then how is that any different to the politicians I've actively protested against?” Macklemore asked.
The American rapper has been a vocal advocate on humanitarian issues.
In May, Macklemore released a protest song. Hind HallThey showed solidarity with pro-Palestinian activists who have occupied university campuses in protest against the Gaza war.
All proceeds from the song will go to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA).
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People never forget
In 2018, some criticized Black Coffee for accepting a show in Tel Aviv, Israel.
The DJ, who is currently hospitalized, had travelled to Israel for a gig a few years ago, but said he needed to provide for his family…
— شهد (@IAmShahieda) January 11, 2024
“South Africa's isolation and academic and cultural boycott are some of the reasons why apartheid succumbed to cries for freedom. It is morally and politically insensitive for DJ Black Coffee to continue partying in apartheid Israel while killing and oppressing innocent people,” Floyd Shivambu, former vice president of Economic Freedom Fighters (FF), said at the time.
Oh Lalela Mswane, I hope you see it 🫵🏽
— Asisipho Bulwana (@Shoun_B) January 11, 2024
Former Miss South Africa, Lalela Mswana, was also arrested earlier this year after competing in the 2021 Miss Universe pageant in Israel.
This comes after the Ministry of Sport, Arts and Culture withdrew its support for Miss SA after failing to persuade the organisation not to compete in the pageant in Israel.
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