Macklemore has been criticized for a costume he wore on stage over the weekend during a secret performance in Seattle. He wore a mask that some called anti-Semitic, but he took to Twitter to defend himself.
The “Thrift Shop” singer, 30, was criticized by outlets such as The Daily Dot, who called the mask offensive. The performance took place on Friday night at the city’s Experience Music Project Museum.
The costume he wore is being described by some as the singer dressing up as a Jewish man. He wore a black wig and beard as well as a fake nose, which is why some are calling it a Jewish stereotype. When a Twitter user asked him if he is actually Jewish, he said “nah. Just got hella good Jewish homies.”
He then wrote, “A fake witches nose, wig, and beard = random costume. Not my idea of a stereotype of anybody.”
A fake witches nose, wig, and beard = random costume. Not my idea of a stereotype of anybody.
— Macklemore (@macklemore) May 19, 2014
A spokesperson for the singer couldn’t be reached for comment.