Hind's Hall

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"Hind's Hall"
A helicopter image of a person flying out a Palestinian flag on top of Hamilton Hall, with the song's title "Hind's Hall" in white.
Single by Macklemore
ReleasedMay 6, 2024 (2024-05-06)
Recorded2024
Genre
Length2:48
LabelBendo
Songwriter(s)Ben Haggerty
Producer(s)Macklemore
Macklemore singles chronology
"No Bad Days"
(2023) 		"Hind's Hall"
(2024)
Music video
"Hind's Hall" on YouTube

"Hind's Hall" is a protest song by American rapper Macklemore, released as a single on May 6, 2024. Written and produced by Macklemore, it expresses support for the pro-Palestinian protests on university campuses that call for divestment from Israel and a ceasefire in the Israel–Hamas war.

The song's title is a reference to pro-Palestinian activists' renaming of Hamilton Hall at Columbia University to "Hind's Hall" in honor of Hind Rajab, a Palestinian child killed by Israeli forces. In the song, Macklemore is critical of US funding of Israel; he describes Israel's occupation of the Palestinian territories as apartheid. Additionally, Macklemore announces his opposition to the music industry for their silence on the issue, and to President Joe Biden because of Biden's support for the Israeli government and military.

Background

Main article: 2024 pro-Palestinian protests on university campuses

In late 2023, as media started to report on atrocities committed by the Israeli forces against the Palestinian population in the course of the Israeli invasion of the Gaza Strip, pro-Palestinian protests on university campuses have taken place across the world, particularly in the United States, as protesters called on their universities to severe links with Israeli entities.[1] Protestor encampments have been raided by US police, who arrested more than 2,300 students, many of whom face expulsion and campus bans.[2]

Protests at Columbia University have been prominent. At Columbia, activists occupied Hamilton Hall and renamed the building as "Hind's Hall" in honor of Hind Rajab, a six-year-old Palestinian girl who was killed by Israeli forces in Gaza City along with her relatives and paramedics who came to her rescue. On April 30, 2024, New York police sieged Hamilton Hall and arrested the protestors inside.[3][4]

Composition

Hind Rajab, a six-year-old Palestinian girl who was killed by the Israeli military,[5] is referenced in the song.

"Hind's Hall" was composed and produced by Macklemore, and samples "Ana La Habibi" by Lebanese singer Fairuz.[6][7] In his lyrics, Macklemore is critical of the United States' funding of Israel, whose occupation of Palestinian territories he describes as apartheid.[3] He also criticizes acceptance by US politicians of financial resources from pro-Israel lobbying organizations such as Christians United for Israel (CUFI) and the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC).[2] "Hind's Hall" also makes references to genocide, the Nakba, and the killing of Palestinian men, women, and children in the Gaza Strip.[7]

Macklemore calls for a ceasefire in the Israel–Hamas war.[1] He condemns the music industry's "platform of silence" on the war.[7][8] He also references the ongoing feud between rappers Drake and Kendrick Lamar, saying he considers it a minor issue compared to the war.[1][8][7] Additionally, Macklemore declares President Joe Biden to be complicit in the Israeli government's mass murder of Palestinian civilians, saying "The blood is on your hands, Biden".[3] Macklemore proclaims that he will not be voting for Biden in the 2024 United States presidential election,[2] and that he is undecided.[9][10]

The song also denounces Congress' banning of TikTok, the white supremacy apparent in policing and policy decisions, and the conflation of antisemitism with anti-Zionism.[3][8] Macklemore quotes the title of the 1988 song "Fuck tha Police" by hip hop group N.W.A.[7]

Release

The single was released on social media on May 6, 2024.[1][11] Macklemore announced that once the song was available on streaming services, all proceeds would be donated to UNRWA.[12] Macklemore performed the song live for the first time on May 9, 2024 in New Zealand, saying, "I stand here today and every day forward for the rest of my life in solidarity with the people of Palestine, with an open heart, in the belief that our collective liberation is at stake – that we all deserve freedom in this life of ours".[13] The song was released to streaming platforms on May 10, 2024.[14]

The song's music video includes a photo of a college building spray-painted with the phrase "Free Palastine [sic]". Some internet users erroneously believed the photo was taken at Columbia University and used it to criticize the protesters. The photo was taken of Tabaret Hall at the University of Ottawa in Canada.[15]

The song's release also coincided with the day of the Met Gala in New York City, with the event's lavish setting in the context of anti-war demonstrations related to the Gaza–Israel conflict drawing comparisons to The Hunger Games. The song's lyrics ("The music industry's quiet, complicit in their platform of silence.") was noted as an inspiration for the Blockout 2024 social media campaign to block the accounts of celebrities for their inaction.[16]

Reception

Solcyre Burga in Time called it "the latest addition to the catalog of American protest songs that includes Billie Holiday's "Strange Fruit" and Crosby, Stills, and Nash & Young's [sic] "Ohio."[17] Guitarist Tom Morello of Rage Against the Machine tweeted: "Honestly @macklemore’s 'Hind’s Hall' is the most Rage Against The Machine song since Rage Against The Machine."[18] Jill Stein, the Green Party's presidential candidate in 2024, publicly thanked Macklemore for making the song.[1] Reception from social media has been positive, with many users praising Macklemore's use of his platform to protest.[19] Aja Romano of Vox called the song "electrifying" due to its surprise release. They noted that Macklemore's position as a white independent artist has helped him to express himself freely without career-ending consequences, especially considering the song's contentious subject matter.[20]

The music video has been widely shared on Twitter and Instagram, gaining millions of views, but on YouTube it has been age-restricted. The video sharing website has been accused by social media users of censorship and limiting the song's outreach.[21] However, on May 11, it was reported that it was available on major streaming platforms including Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, and YouTube.[22]

Charts

Chart performance for "Hind's Hall"
Chart (2024) Peak
position
Australia Hip Hop/R&B (ARIA)[23] 18
Ireland (IRMA)[24] 19
Netherlands (Single Tip)[25] 12
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[26] 33
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[27] 61
UK Singles (OCC)[28] 51
UK Hip Hop/R&B (OCC)[29] 13
UK Indie (OCC)[30] 8

Release history

Release history for "Hind's Hall"
Region Date Format(s) Label Ref.
Various May 6, 2024 Social media — [1]
Various May 10, 2024
Bendo [14]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f "Macklemore Debuts Campus Protest Solidarity Song". TIME. May 7, 2024. Archived from the original on May 8, 2024. Retrieved May 8, 2024.
  2. ^ a b c Andrew, Scottie (May 8, 2024). "Macklemore criticizes Biden in new song supporting pro-Palestinian student protests". CNN. Archived from the original on May 9, 2024. Retrieved May 9, 2024.
  3. ^ a b c d Beaumont-Thomas, Ben (May 7, 2024). "'Blood is on your hands, Biden': US rapper Macklemore gives support to Palestine and campus protests". The Guardian. Archived from the original on May 8, 2024. Retrieved May 7, 2024.
  4. ^ "'Hind Hall': How Columbia's Hamilton Hall became its signature protest hub". Al Jazeera. May 1, 2024. Archived from the original on May 6, 2024. Retrieved May 7, 2024.
  5. ^ Graziosi, Graig (February 11, 2024). "A child and the medics trying to save her were killed by Israeli tanks". The Independent. Archived from the original on February 11, 2024. Retrieved May 9, 2024.
  6. ^ "HIND'S HALL by Macklemore". Tidal. Archived from the original on May 11, 2024. Retrieved May 10, 2024.
  7. ^ a b c d e "US rapper Macklemore releases pro-Gaza track Hind's Hall". The New Arab. May 7, 2024. Archived from the original on May 8, 2024. Retrieved May 8, 2024.
  8. ^ a b c O'Connor, Roisin (May 7, 2024). "Macklemore releases pro-Palestine track Hind's Hall". The Independent. Archived from the original on May 7, 2024. Retrieved May 9, 2024.
  9. ^ Griffin, Marc (May 7, 2024). "Macklemore Jabs Drake In Protest Song Calling For Palestine Support". VIBE.com. Archived from the original on May 9, 2024. Retrieved May 9, 2024.
  10. ^ "Macklemore enters rap beef to remind people what's really going on". The A.V. Club. May 7, 2024. Archived from the original on May 10, 2024. Retrieved May 9, 2024.
  11. ^ Blistein, Jon (May 7, 2024). "Macklemore Drops 'Hind's Hall' in Support of Pro-Palestine Protesters, Gaza Ceasefire". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on May 9, 2024. Retrieved May 9, 2024.
  12. ^ Singh, Karan (May 6, 2024). "Macklemore To Donate All Earnings From New Song To Palestinian Relief Amid College Protests". HipHopDX. Archived from the original on May 8, 2024. Retrieved May 7, 2024.
  13. ^ Corlett, Eva (May 9, 2024). "Macklemore performs pro-Palestine song for first time at New Zealand concert". The Guardian. Archived from the original on May 9, 2024. Retrieved May 9, 2024.
  14. ^ a b "HIND'S HALL – Single - Album by Macklemore". Apple Music. Archived from the original on May 10, 2024. Retrieved May 10, 2024.
  15. ^ O'Rouke, Clara (May 7, 2024). "Misspelled 'free Palastine' spray-painted at Canadian school, not Columbia University". PolitiFact. Archived from the original on May 9, 2024. Retrieved May 9, 2024.
  16. ^ McFall, Marni Rose (May 14, 2024). "What is 'operation blockout' and which celebrities are being targeted?". Newsweek. Retrieved May 14, 2024.
  17. ^ Burga, Solcyre (May 7, 2024). "Macklemore Demands Cease-Fire in 'Hind's Hall' Campus Protest Solidarity Song". Time. Archived from the original on May 8, 2024. Retrieved May 8, 2024.
  18. ^ "Macklemore Dares Others to Stand Up for Palestine". The Nation. May 7, 2024. Archived from the original on May 8, 2024.
  19. ^ Newstead, Al (May 8, 2024). "Macklemore supports Palestine protestors with new song Hind's Hall, internet reacts". ABC News. Archived from the original on May 11, 2024. Retrieved May 11, 2024.
  20. ^ Romano, Aja (May 10, 2024). "Macklemore's anthem for Gaza is a rarity: A protest song in an era of apolitical music". Vox. Archived from the original on May 10, 2024. Retrieved May 10, 2024.
  21. ^ Dunn, Billie Schwab (May 8, 2024). "YouTube accused of censoring Macklemore's "Hind's Hall"". Newsweek. Archived from the original on May 8, 2024. Retrieved May 8, 2024.
  22. ^ Lau, Evelyn (May 11, 2024). "Hind's Hall: Macklemore's song for Palestine is now on streaming platforms". The National. Retrieved May 12, 2024.
  23. ^ "ARIA Top 40 Hip Hop/R&B Singles Chart". Australian Recording Industry Association. May 20, 2024. Retrieved May 17, 2024.
  24. ^ "Official Irish Singles Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved May 17, 2024.
  25. ^ "Dutch Single Tip 18/05/2024" (in Dutch). MegaCharts. Retrieved May 18, 2024.
  26. ^ "NZ Top 40 Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. May 20, 2024. Retrieved May 17, 2024.
  27. ^ "Macklemore – Hind's Hall". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved May 19, 2024.
  28. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved May 17, 2024.
  29. ^ "Official Hip Hop and R&B Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved May 17, 2024.
  30. ^ "Official Independent Singles Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved May 18, 2024.

External links

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Hind%27s_Hall&oldid=1224670362"