For “Hind’s Hall 2,” the sequel to his original pro-Palestine protest composition, Macklemore enlisted the support of several Palestinian artists and poets.
Having arrived on Saturday (9.21,) “Hind’s Hall 2,” features contributions from Palestinian-American singer Anees, the Gaza-born rapper MC Abdul, and Palestinian-American comedian/author Amer Zahr, choir vocals from the LA Palestinian Kids Choir, Lifted! Youth Gospel Choir, Tiffany Wilson, and Friends.
“I’ve seen massacres, I’m grateful to be alive/You appreciate life when you survive a genocide.” “Look in my eyes and tell me what you see/Ran out of tears to cry, rap til Palestine is free,” rhymes MC Abdul on the verse.
“Hey Kamala, I don’t know if you’re listening,” “But stop sending money and weapons or you ain’t winning Michigan/We uncommitted, and hell no we ain’t switching positions,” directs Macklemore at Kamala Harris and nods to the Uncommitted movement – an ongoing effort to stop U.S. arms shipments to Israel, curtail the country’s indiscriminate tactics in Gaza, and end the war.
Over the weekend, the musician (born Benjamin Hammond Haggerty) also performed “Hind’s Hall 2” at a concert in his hometown of Seattle, adding a vociferous “Fuck America,” during his performance, as well.
Amid the widespread campus protests calling for an end to Israel’s war in Gaza, Macklemore released the original “Hind’s Hall” back in May. The song’s title was a reference to the new name protesters at Columbia University gave to Hamilton Hall when they occupied it earlier this year; they re-named it Hind’s Hall after Hind Raja, a six-year-old killed by the Israeli military in February.
As he did with his first song, the 41-year old artist will be donating the proceeds from “Hind’s Hall 2” to UNRWA USA, a non-profit that helps Palestinian refugees.
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Author: Al Denté
Photo: San Francisco Foghorn