Macklemore, the front man of Macklemore & Ryan Lewis and the rapper behind “Thrift Shop,” was accused of performing in an anti-Semitic costume on Friday.

Macklemore: Accused Of Being Anti-Semitic

Friday, May 16, Macklemore & Ryan Lewis surprised fans at the EMP Museum in Seattle with a short concert, but the unannounced show wasn’t what had everybody talking the next few days. Instead, it was Macklemore’s strange costume, resembling caricature-like Jewish stereotypes.

Wearing a huge fake hook nose, a fake thick beard and a heavy black wig with a silky button down shirt and a black suit jacket, Macklemore certainly looked like he was dressing up to resemble the hateful caricatures of Jewish men.

Seth Rogen Calls Out Macklemore

The costume raised many eyebrows and caused wide spread outrage after Seth Rogen tweeted about it on Sunday, writing in a message to Macklemore, “first you trick people into thinking you’re a rapper, now you trick them into thinking you’re Jewish?”

On Monday, Macklemore responded to the criticism and accusations of anti-Semitism on Twitter, explaining that he had not intended his costume to be a stereotype, but that “A fake witches nose, wig, and beard = random costume.”

Many, including Rogen, were less than impressed with Macklemore’s attempt to sweep the matter under the rug, responding, “really?? Because if I told someone to put together an anti Semitic Jew costume, they’d have that exact shopping list.”

Macklemore Defends Himself, Apologizes

Later on Monday, Macklemore posted a more comprehensive statement on his offensive costume choice on his official website.

Macklemore defended himself against allegations of being anti-Semitic, writing that he has been “misunderstood” and had not even thought that his costume might be considered offensive.

“On Friday night we had a surprise show at the EMP Museum in Seattle. Earlier in the day I thought it would be fun to dress up in disguise and go incognito to the event, so that I could walk around unnoticed and surprise the crowd with a short performance,” Macklemore explained in his statement.

Macklemore went on to say that he had not meant to resemble any particular person, writing, “Disguise was the intention. I personally thought I looked very ambiguous in terms of any ‘type’ of person.”

In his statement, the rapper added that his friends thought he looked like Ringo or Abraham Lincoln, but nobody mentioned concern over possibly looking anti-Semitic.

Though Macklemore’s statement was, overall, apologetic, he also expressed frustration at the media and the public for jumping to the conclusion that he meant to criticize or make fun of Jewish people, writing, “it was surprising and disappointing that the images of a disguise were sensationalized leading to the immediate assertion that my costume was anti-Semetic [sic]. I acknowledge how the costume could, within a context of stereotyping, be ascribed to a Jewish caricature. I am here to say that it was absolutely not my intention, and unfortunately at the time I did not foresee the costume to be viewed in such regard. I’m saddened that this story, or any of my choices, would lead to any for of negativity.”

Macklemore further defended himself, citing his track record for standing up for the under-represented and fighting for equal rights. (Macklemore & Ryan Lewis are also known for their hit single promoting marriage equality, “Same Love.”) Finally, Macklemore concluded his statement with a straightforward apology, saying simply, “I truly apologize to anybody that I may have offended. I hope this better explains the situation and my point of view.”

In a post script, Macklemore directed readers to the Anti-Defamation League website (ADL) that works to end discrimination and hate, with a focus on Anti-Semitism. The group released a statement accepting Macklemore’s apology.

“We welcome Macklemore’s apology for wearing a costume that, regardless of his motives, reminded many people of an anti-Semitic caricature. We take him at his word that he did not have any ill-intent and unreservedly accept his apology,” said ADL National Director Abraham H Foxman.

Despite his apology, Macklemore's costume continues to be a hot topic on Twitter.

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Article by Olivia Truffaut-Wong

Olivia Truffaut-Wong was born and raised in Berkeley, California, where she developed her love of all things entertainment. After moving to New York City to earn her degree in Film Studies, she stayed on the East Coast to follow her passion and become an entertainment writer. She lives on a diet of television, movies and food.