Macklemore has revealed that he will donate the Australian earnings of his song ‘Same Love’ to the Yes campaigners.
The American singer and songwriter flew into Sydney today ahead of the NRL grand final he will be headlining on Sunday.
‘That is what music has the power to do. It’s not to divide people but create an environment where people can start a debate and have a conversation, bring a message to the forefront,’ he told Nine News.
Macklemore (pictured) will be entertaining huge crowds at the NRL grand final on Sunday but his ARIA chart topping hit ‘Same Love’ has already caused controversy
‘I haven’t figured it out yet but I was saying in the car ride over that I want to donate my portion of the proceeds that I get off that record ‘Same Love’, here in Australia, to voting Yes.
‘So I need to figure out what that looks like and how to do that but that is something that I’m going to do.’
The 34-year-old’s arrival has been steeped in controversy ahead of his debut at the NRL premiership, with many fans saying sport should not be steeped in politics.
The popular American rapper’s song choice outraged the ‘No’ same-sex marriage campaign within Australia earlier this week.
People are calling for Macklemore to dump his hit song about marriage equality during the Melbourne (right) versus North Queensland (left) grand final
Thousands of footy fans, including former prime minister Tony Abbott, backed a Change.org petition demanding Macklemore omit the song about marriage equality during the Melbourne versus North Queensland grand final.
Macklemore hit back at critics during a radio interview with The Cruz Show.
‘It’s interesting actually cause I’m gonna play Same Love and they’re going through trying to legalise same-sex marriage in Australia.
Macklemore (pictured) arrived in Sydney this morning ahead of his NRL grand final debut
‘So I’m getting a lot of tweets from angry old white dudes in Australia. Today I think there is a petition to ban me from playing,’ he said.
When pushed by the radio host, Macklemore said he intended to ‘go harder’ in his response to the criticism.
Mr Abbott took to Twitter on Wednesday to object to the controversy.
The Cowboys were also reportedly furious over denied access to ANZ Stadium ahead of the NRL grand final against Melbourne due to a clash with the rapper’s (pictured) sound check
‘Footy fans shouldn’t be subjected to a politicised grand final. Sport is sport,’ he said.
The song, which debuted in 2012, talks about the issues surrounding gay and lesbian rights which the music video highlights with a same-sex wedding.
The chart topping hit was written during the campaign for Washington Referendum 74, which later legalised same-sex marriage.