He sparked controversy performing ‘Same Love’ at the NRL Grand Final last year.
And a vindicated Macklemore has returned to Australia after a prolonged national debate saw same-sex marriage legalised on December 8.
The 34-year-old reflected on his trailblazing pre-game show and how he ‘feared for his safety’ with the Herald Sun on Sunday.
Triumphant: Macklemore, who received threats for performing Same Love at the NRL Grand Final, has returned to Australia after same-sex marriage was legalised in December
The Grammy winner reportedly became a target for the Vote No campaign and received death threats prior to taking the stage, according to the newspaper.
He was forced to hire extra security because he ‘was a little scared’, he admitted.
Returning to Sydney for a set of shows over the weekend, he offered he was ‘definitely feeling less nervous’ this time around.
Vindicated: Returning to Sydney for a set of shows over the weekend, he offered he was ‘definitely feeling less nervous’ this time around
‘Same sex marriage has passed, let’s celebrate. And no one is going to kill me,’ he enthused.
‘Sometimes when you have hate, that’s what we need as a society to be challenged to move forwards towards love. Otherwise we wouldn’t fight as hard for it,’ he added.
He described his NRL Grand Final performance as exhilarating, and explained how when he took to the stage he didn’t feel the ‘hate’ and ‘fear’ he did from social media.
‘Same sex marriage has passed, let’s celebrate. And no one is going to kill me,’ he enthused
‘Sometimes when you have hate, that’s what we need as a society to be challenged to move forwards towards love,’ he added. Pictured at the Grammys in 2014 performing Same Love
‘Same Love’ reached the top of the Australian charts in 2013, replacing another number one from the Seattle-raised artist, ‘Thrift Shop’.
It also reached number one in New Zealand, number two on the Billboard rap charts in America, number four in Canada and number six in England.
The rapper now has a new single, ‘These Days’, with English group Rudimental featuring Jess Glynne and Dan Caplen, which currently sits in the Australian top 10.
Powerful: ‘Same Love’ reached the top of the Australian charts in 2013, replacing another number one from the Seattle-raised artist, ‘Thrift Shop’. Pictured: Grammy Awards 2014