Macklemore’s latest single “Hinds Hall” addresses Palestine’s stance and weighs in on the ongoing feud between Drake and Kendrick Lamar.
Seattle-based rapper Macklemore is back in the spotlight with his latest single, “Hinds Hall,” a song that not only supports the Palestinian cause but also offers commentary on the ongoing feud between rappers Kendrick Lamar and Drake.
Macklemore, who famously won the Best Rap Album award at the 56th Annual Grammy Awards in 2014 over Kendrick Lamar, announced the release of the track on social media. He pledged to donate all proceeds from the song to UNRWA, a nonprofit organization that supports the humanitarian efforts of the United Nations Agency for Palestine Refugees.
The song and its accompanying video draw attention to the Israel-Hamas conflict that began in October 2023. The inspiration for the song reportedly came from student protesters at Columbia University who occupied Hamilton Hall and renamed it “Hind’s Hall.” Throughout the song, Macklemore emphasizes that there are more pressing issues to address than the lyrical battle between two renowned rappers.
In the song, he questions, “What happened to the artist? What do you got to say? If I was on a label, you could drop me today.” He expresses his desire for peace over engaging in a feud with Drake and challenges listeners to consider the plight of those living in conflict zones like Gaza.
Following the release of “Hinds Hall,” Macklemore quickly became a trending topic on Twitter. Some have hailed the song as the most revolutionary since Public Enemy’s 1989 anthem “Fight The Power,” while others have criticized DJ Khaled, who is of Palestinian descent, for not speaking up and allowing Macklemore to do so instead.
However, not everyone is praising Macklemore’s new track. Some social media users accuse him of capitalizing on the Kendrick Lamar and Drake beef and of inflaming tensions within the Jewish community. His pledge not to vote for President Joe Biden has also stirred controversy, with some suggesting it could alienate a significant portion of his fan base.
In “Hinds Hall,” Macklemore criticizes Biden, rapping, “The blood is on your hands, Biden, we can see it all. And no, I’m not voting for you in the fall.” He accuses the music industry of complicity through its silence and rallies listeners to remain united in the face of adversity.
In conclusion, Macklemore’s “Hinds Hall” is more than just a song. It’s a political statement, a commentary on the state of the music industry, and a call to action for listeners to focus on the issues that truly matter.