Grammy-winning rapper Macklemore has canceled his planned concert in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, scheduled for October, due to the country’s alleged involvement in the deadly conflict in Sudan.
The artist made this decision after months of calls from fans and activists urging him to withdraw from the event in solidarity with the Sudanese people.
Macklemore specifically pointed to the UAE’s reported support for Sudan’s paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), which has been engaged in fierce battles with the Sudanese army. In a statement on Instagram, he declared, “Until the UAE stops arming and funding the RSF, I will not perform there.”
Neither Dubai authorities nor the UAE government have responded to Macklemore’s announcement. However, the UAE previously dismissed accusations of fueling the Sudan conflict as “disinformation,” emphasizing that its efforts are focused on alleviating the humanitarian crisis in the region.
Sudan’s ambassador to the United Nations, Harith Idriss al-Harith Mohamed, has accused the UAE of providing crucial financial and military support to the RSF, describing it as the “main reason behind this protracted war.” The UAE, however, has labeled these claims as “ludicrous.”
Since the conflict erupted in April last year, thousands have been killed, and 10 million people have been displaced. The United Nations’ Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) has reported record-breaking hunger levels in the region, exacerbated by the ongoing violence. Both sides of the conflict have been accused of committing atrocities, but the RSF has faced particular scrutiny for alleged genocide against non-Arab populations in Darfur, charges it denies, blaming local militias instead.
Macklemore’s decision was also influenced by the ongoing Israeli-Hamas conflict in Gaza, which he says has brought global attention to humanitarian crises. His latest song, Hind’s Hall, is a tribute to a girl killed in Gaza, reflecting his long-standing commitment to addressing social issues through his music.
While acknowledging that other artists may choose to perform in the UAE, Macklemore urged his peers to consider the impact of using their platforms for collective liberation, asking, “If we used our platforms to mobilize collective liberation, what could we accomplish?”
