American rapper Macklemore has cancelled his coming Dubai show, which had been set for October 4 at Coca-Cola Arena.
The Grammy-winning artist, who released Palestine-themed single Hind's Hall in May, had originally been scheduled to perform last October at the same venue.
Ticketholders were informed on Friday of the cancellation by Platinum List, which also noted that all purchases would be refunded automatically within 21 working days. The event has also been removed from Coca-Cola Arena's website. At the time of writing, the performer had not commented on the cancellation on his social media channels.
The cancellation has left many Palestinian fans in the UAE disappointed.
"I'm saddened that he's cancelled the show. As a Palestinian, I became a fan of Macklemore because of his outspoken support for the people of Gaza, and was looking forward to seeing him perform the song live," Rita Arar, 24, who runs the TikTok channel Palestinian POV, tells The National.
Macklemore released his third studio album, Ben, last year to moderate success, but the activist single Hind's Hall won him many new fans, making him one of the most prominent figures in the music world to voice his support for a ceasefire in the ongoing Israel-Gaza war, with the death toll now surpassing 40,000.
The song is named after Hind Rajab, 6, who was killed in Gaza after waiting days for aid and the ensuing campus protests in the US. It samples Fairouz's Ana La Habibi.
In the song, Macklemore expressed solidarity with campus protesters in the US and his views on the politicians involved in the geopolitical conflict.
The song, the most prominent track calling for peace written about the ongoing war, has been streamed more than 30 million times on Spotify, according to the platform. On Instagram, the video has garnered more than 175 million views. Macklemore announced that all proceeds for the song would go to UNRWA.
He performed the song live in May at a New Zealand concert, commenting on stage: “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."
While the singer first became popular for his novelty single Thrift Shop in 2012, he has a history of social justice-minded songs, including the 2016 song White Privilege II, recorded with artist Jamila Woods.
He has previously performed in the UAE, having headlined Red Fest DXB in 2019.
UAE v Gibraltar
What: International friendly
When: 7pm kick off
Where: Rugby Park, Dubai Sports City
Admission: Free
Online: The match will be broadcast live on Dubai Exiles’ Facebook page
UAE squad: Lucas Waddington (Dubai Exiles), Gio Fourie (Exiles), Craig Nutt (Abu Dhabi Harlequins), Phil Brady (Harlequins), Daniel Perry (Dubai Hurricanes), Esekaia Dranibota (Harlequins), Matt Mills (Exiles), Jaen Botes (Exiles), Kristian Stinson (Exiles), Murray Reason (Abu Dhabi Saracens), Dave Knight (Hurricanes), Ross Samson (Jebel Ali Dragons), DuRandt Gerber (Exiles), Saki Naisau (Dragons), Andrew Powell (Hurricanes), Emosi Vacanau (Harlequins), Niko Volavola (Dragons), Matt Richards (Dragons), Luke Stevenson (Harlequins), Josh Ives (Dubai Sports City Eagles), Sean Stevens (Saracens), Thinus Steyn (Exiles)
The Details
Kabir Singh
Produced by: Cinestaan Studios, T-Series
Directed by: Sandeep Reddy Vanga
Starring: Shahid Kapoor, Kiara Advani, Suresh Oberoi, Soham Majumdar, Arjun Pahwa
Rating: 2.5/5
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
Sole survivors
- Cecelia Crocker was on board Northwest Airlines Flight 255 in 1987 when it crashed in Detroit, killing 154 people, including her parents and brother. The plane had hit a light pole on take off
- George Lamson Jr, from Minnesota, was on a Galaxy Airlines flight that crashed in Reno in 1985, killing 68 people. His entire seat was launched out of the plane
- Bahia Bakari, then 12, survived when a Yemenia Airways flight crashed near the Comoros in 2009, killing 152. She was found clinging to wreckage after floating in the ocean for 13 hours.
- Jim Polehinke was the co-pilot and sole survivor of a 2006 Comair flight that crashed in Lexington, Kentucky, killing 49.
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
Brief scoreline:
Liverpool 2
Keita 5', Firmino 26'
Porto 0
The%20specs
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Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
The essentials
What: Emirates Airline Festival of Literature
When: Friday until March 9
Where: All main sessions are held in the InterContinental Dubai Festival City
Price: Sessions range from free entry to Dh125 tickets, with the exception of special events.
Hot Tip: If waiting for your book to be signed looks like it will be timeconsuming, ask the festival’s bookstore if they have pre-signed copies of the book you’re looking for. They should have a bunch from some of the festival’s biggest guest authors.
Information: www.emirateslitfest.com
Juventus v Napoli, Sunday, 10.45pm (UAE)
Match on Bein Sports
Where to apply
Applicants should send their completed applications - CV, covering letter, sample(s) of your work, letter of recommendation - to Nick March, Assistant Editor in Chief at The National and UAE programme administrator for the Rosalynn Carter Fellowships for Mental Health Journalism, by 5pm on April 30, 2020.
Please send applications to nmarch@thenational.ae and please mark the subject line as “Rosalynn Carter Fellowship for Mental Health Journalism (UAE programme application)”.
The local advisory board will consider all applications and will interview a short list of candidates in Abu Dhabi in June 2020. Successful candidates will be informed before July 30, 2020.
What can victims do?
Always use only regulated platforms
Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion
Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)
Report to local authorities
Warn others to prevent further harm
Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
Various Artists
Habibi Funk: An Eclectic Selection Of Music From The Arab World (Habibi Funk)
