Grammy-winning US rapper Macklemore has canceled his upcoming October concert in Dubai, citing the United Arab Emirates' alleged support for Sudan's rebel Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
Macklemore, in a social media post, stated that he felt compelled to boycott performing in the UAE until it ceases its support for the RSF in the ongoing conflict, which he considers "genocide and a humanitarian crisis."
“I know that this will probably jeopardize my future shows in the area, and I truly hate letting any of my fans down,” Macklemore wrote. “I was really excited too. But until the UAE stops arming and funding the RSF, I will not perform there.”
The rapper's decision reignited scrutiny of the UAE's role in the conflict. While the UAE denies arming the RSF, UN experts and the Sudanese government have presented evidence of frequent weapons shipments to the RSF through Chad.
The RSF, a paramilitary group led by former deputy chair of Sudan's Transitional Sovereignty Council Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, has been engaged in a bloody conflict with the Sudanese Armed Forces since April 2023, resulting in thousands of deaths and millions displaced.
Macklemore's cancellation has sparked debate among other artists scheduled to perform in Dubai.
“I have no judgment against other artists performing in the UAE. But I do ask the question to my peers scheduled to play in Dubai: If we used our platforms to mobilize collective liberation, what could we accomplish?” the rapper wrote.
Macklemore's decision to cancel his Dubai show was also influenced by his recent public support for Palestinians, which includes performing a song called "Hind's Hall" in honor of a young Palestinian girl killed in Gaza. All proceeds from the song go to UNRWA, the UN agency for Palestinian refugees.