US rapper Macklemore delivered an impassioned speech about Gaza, global solidarity and "collective liberation" as he took to the stage at the OVO Arena Wembley on Friday night for the London stop of his Free Palestine tour.
The rapper was met with loud cheers from the crowd and chants of "Free Palestine" before performing Hind's Hall, the protest song he released in response to the war in Gaza.
Macklemore's message to fans
Addressing fans, Macklemore said he had reached a point where he felt unable to remain silent about the conflict.
"I was scrolling, scrolling, scrolling and seeing the horrific, unimaginable catastrophe that was happening in front of our eyes," he said.
"And at a certain point, it was more uncomfortable for me to stay silent than to say something.
"And I just want to say, I don't believe that saying something is brave. I don't believe that saying something is courageous. I believe that saying something is human.
"And those children in Gaza are our children. There is no separation. We have bought into this idea, this insane notion that we are separate. We inherited borders, we inherited fences, we inherited walls.
"My question is: what are we doing as a global community to tear them down?"
Tour raising funds for Palestinian causes
The rapper, whose tour is raising money for organisations supporting Palestinians, went on to thank those who had attended the concert, praising the sense of togetherness inside the arena.
The Wembley show formed part of Macklemore's Free Palestine Tour, a series of dates centred on raising awareness and support for Palestinian causes. The OVO Arena Wembley event was promoted as a night bringing together Macklemore and guest performers while helping provide humanitarian aid and support for organisations working with Palestinians.
Background to the tour
The tour has attracted significant attention after reports that Macklemore was removed from a planned support slot on Ed Sheeran's European tour following his increasingly high-profile political activism. According to reports, the move came amid concerns that his campaigning on Gaza would overshadow the concerts.
Macklemore has become one of the most prominent voices in music speaking out on the conflict, using both his live performances and his protest song Hind's Hall to call for a ceasefire and to express solidarity with Palestinians.
Speaking at a tour stop in Paris on Thursday, the rapper told fans: "Tonight we came here for collective liberation. We came here for a free Palestine. We came here to celebrate life and dignity for all human beings that call this earth home."
