Macklemore clarifies 'f--- America' comments: 'I'm not ok. I haven't been'

Macklemore is clarifying — and doubling down — on his "f— America" comment in a new, lengthy statement on Instagram.

On Wednesday, the singer-rapper addressed the backlash over viral videos showing him saying "f— America" while performing onstage at Seattle's charity music event Palestine Will Live Forever over the weekend.

"My thoughts and feelings are not always expressed perfectly or politely," his statement begins. "Sometimes I slip up and get caught in the moment. Saturday night was one of those times. I strive to always lead with love in an effort to bring people together and never to create more division. The 'Palestine Will Live Forever' festival I performed at was rooted in peace, love and solidarity. Unfortunately, the historic event in my hometown that brought thousands of people together to raise awareness and money for the people of Palestine has become overshadowed by two words. I wish I had been in a better place with my grief and anger. But the truth is I'm not ok. I haven't been."

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The "Thrift Shop" singer goes on to discuss how the past year "of watching a genocide unfold in front of us has been excruciating on a spiritual, emotional and human level."

"I have been in utter disbelief with how our government is showing up at this moment in history," he continues. "I don't think I'm alone. I see dismembered kids in Gaza being pulled out of rubble, murder by U.S manufactured bombs. I see my own children in their lifeless bodies. I don't think I'm alone."

Macklemore continues repeating the phrase "I don't think I'm alone" in describing how he has become "disillusioned and disheartened as our government has continued to unequivocally fund and support Israel's on-going violence against the people of Palestine."

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"My pain and emotion at times has felt uncontrollable," he says. "It boils over throughout the day as I try to pretend I'm ok. I'm not ok. I don't think I'm alone. I am outraged by the fact that we lack money for healthcare, affordable housing and education in America yet we send billions to Israel to commit internationally recognized war crimes... I feel insane... Some days I don't know how to love something that is hurting others so much."

Macklemore adds that he has been "mobilized" by everyone who has been protesting "on behalf of all those that have been murdered by Netanyahu's regime," including "those in the Jewish community that have courageously shown up in solidarity, marching with posters at protests stating 'not in our name' and 'never again means never again for everyone.'" The singer also praises college kids "who have been willing to risk their degrees by participating in college encampments to demand a ceasefire."

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But he says that "some days the darkness outshines the light" and he gets "lost in what our world has become."

"I wake up, see another couple billion dollars given to Israel, or another refugee encampment destroyed, or a father holding a limb from his martyred child, or another speech from a politician justifying the right of Israel to 'defend itself' while denying Palestinians the right to exist, and I say to myself.... 'F— America.' I don't think I'm alone," he wrote.

He doesn't want anyone to "misconstrue the word 'f—' for the word 'hate,'" however. "It's different to be angry than to disown," he added. "My 'f—' — my anger — is rooted not in distain [sic] for where I was born but in anguish for how we can collectively allow this to continue. It is not directed at the people that make up our country, but towards our government who refuse to listen to us."

Macklemore acknowledges that he's "slipped in front of the world before."

"I'm sure I'll do it again," he continues. "But they will not silence my voice, and they will not close my heart. I've lost endorsements, I've lost shows, I've lost business ties. I am still here, unwavering in my support for a Free Palestine."

Read his full statement below:

While Macklemore's declaration of "f— America" was met with applause and cheers in the moment, the backlash has been immediate. On Tuesday, Neon City Festival in Las Vegas announced on Instagram that he would no longer be a headliner due to "unforeseen circumstances."

Macklemore is also a minority owner of the NHL's Seattle Kraken and the Seattle Sounders FC, and the two teams released a joint statement to KOMO News about the controversy: "We are aware of Macklemore’s increasingly divisive comments, and they do not reflect the values of our respective ownership groups, leagues, or organizations. We are currently evaluating our collective options on this matter."

Read the original article on Entertainment Weekly.