A Surprise Preformance

This past weekend Macklemore gave a surprise performance at the EMP museum in Seattle. Macklemore played his painfully dull couple of songs that every american knows the chorus to. But Macklemore couldn't just play his songs without making some sort of statement.

For reasons unknown to me, Macklemore decided to dress up with a "fake black wig, big beard, and a hooked nose" (Demby). There is no comment by Macklemore on what he was trying to display through his costume, but most watchers described it as looking a lot like a exaggerated stereotypical jewish man.

Over the past year, one could have argued that Macklemore built a good or even great public image for himself. For example, after the 2013 grammies Macklemore texted Kendrick Lamar, a fellow nomination for best rap album,  "You got robbed. I wanted you to win. You should have won" (Jarenwattananon). The public apology brought positive feedback from listeners everywhere. Not only this but Macklemore's song "Same Love" won over many listeners because of his stance on the issue of gay marriage in America.

That is why I am left so confused wondering how or why this turned out how it did. Yes, it is possible that Macklemore didn't see or think that his costume was racist but how could he get out on stage and preform without one person stopping him. And what message was this costume supposed to have. When you are a celebrity or music star, I think everything you do and wear is so constructed and put together that there is often a reason behind every costume. So now I am wondering what Macklemore's reason for this costume was?