Yikes.
Over the weekend, Macklemore gave a performance in Seattle dressed in an extremely thick mustache, wig, and some garments that were almost unanimously decided by the public to be a mockery of traditional Jewish garb. As he performed his hit song, “Thrift Shop”, which is a song about–in layman’s terms–stepping out into society dressed in garments significantly cheaper than retail prices, Macklemore donned the outfit, which was seen as the mockery of the Jewish culture, and promotion of common stereotypes. Some went even further, and labeled Macklemore’s attire “anti-semitic”.
Most of Twitter chimed in on the controversy (of course), namely, Seth Rogen, and finally Macklemore took to his Twitter to try and downplay the accusations coming from all angles. His repsonse was short, and perceivably weak, but as Marc Hogan of SPIN postulates, Macklemore just might be “clueless enough to be telling the truth”.
A fake witches nose, wig, and beard = random costume. Not my idea of a stereotype of anybody.
— Macklemore (@macklemore) May 19, 2014
UPDATE: Macklemore released an official statement about his costume to his Tumblr, which you can read here. An excerpt below.
I will let my body of work and the causes for which I’ve supported speak for themselves. I hope that anyone who may question my intent take a few moments to discover the human and artist that I strive to be. I respect all cultures and all people. I would never intentionally put down anybody for the fabric that makes them who they are. I love human beings, love originality, and… happen to love a weird outfit from time to time.
