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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 six-year-old Palestinian girl killed by Israeli forces in the Gaza Strip.[1] In the song, Macklemore is critical of the United States's 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 2024, pro-Palestinian protests on university campuses have taken place across the world, particularly in the United States, as protesters called on their universities to sever links with Israeli entities due to Israel's actions in the Israel-Hamas war.[2] Protestor encampments have been raided by US police, who arrested more than 2,300 students, many of whom face expulsion and campus bans.[3]

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.[1][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. He describes Israel's occupation of Palestinian territories as apartheid.[1] He also criticizes US politicians' acceptance of donations from pro-Israel lobbying organizations such as Christians United for Israel (CUFI) and the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC).[3] Macklemore characterizes Israel's military operations within the Israel–Hamas war as "a genocide", and makes references to the Nakba and the Israeli military's killing of Palestinian children in the Gaza Strip.[7][3]

Macklemore calls for a ceasefire in the Israel–Hamas war.[2] 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.[2][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".[1] Macklemore proclaims that he will not vote for Biden in the 2024 United States presidential election,[3] 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.[1][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.[2][11] Macklemore announced that once the song was available on streaming services, all of the single's 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] On May 11, the song was made available on major streaming platforms including Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon Music.[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]

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."[16] 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."[17] Jill Stein, the Green Party's presidential candidate in 2024, publicly thanked Macklemore for making the song.[2] Reception from social media has been positive, with many users praising Macklemore's use of his platform to protest.[18] 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.[19]

Sequel

On September 21, 2024, Macklemore released a sequel to Hind's Hall titled Hind's Hall 2, featuring Palestinian and Palestinian American artists Anees, MC Abdul, Amer Zahr, the LA Palestinian Kids Choir, the Lifted! Youth Gospel Choir, and Tiffany Wilson.[20] In the song, he endorsed the Uncommitted National Movement, warning presidential candidate Kamala Harris that she would lose the state of Michigan in the 2024 United States presidential election unless she supported an arms embargo on Israel.[20] All proceeds from the sequel would also be donated to UNRWA.[21]

He performed the song at the Palestine Will Live Forever Festival in Seward Park Amphitheatre in Seattle on September 21, 2024.[21][22]

Charts

Chart performance for "Hind's Hall"
Chart (2024) Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)[23] 85
Australia Hip Hop/R&B (ARIA)[24] 18
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[25] 61
France (SNEP)[26] 125
Global 200 (Billboard)[27] 184
Greece International (IFPI)[28] 67
Ireland (IRMA)[29] 19
Netherlands (Single Tip)[30] 12
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[31] 33
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[32] 61
UK Singles (OCC)[33] 51
UK Hip Hop/R&B (OCC)[34] 13
UK Indie (OCC)[35] 8
US Digital Song Sales (Billboard)[36] 7
US R&B/Hip-Hop Digital Song Sales (Billboard)[37] 3

Release history

Release history for "Hind's Hall"
Region Date Format(s) Label Ref.
Various May 6, 2024 Social media — [2]
Various May 10, 2024
Bendo [38]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d e 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.
  2. ^ 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.
  3. ^ a b c d 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.
  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. ^ Lau, Evelyn (May 11, 2024). "Hind's Hall: Macklemore's song for Palestine is now on streaming platforms". The National. Retrieved May 12, 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. ^ 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.
  17. ^ "Macklemore Dares Others to Stand Up for Palestine". The Nation. May 7, 2024. Archived from the original on May 8, 2024.
  18. ^ 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.
  19. ^ 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.
  20. ^ a b Blistein, Jon (September 23, 2024). "Macklemore Enlists Palestinian Artists for 'Hind's Hall 2' Protest Song". Rolling Stone. Retrieved September 24, 2024.
  21. ^ a b Kaufman, Gil (September 23, 2024). "Macklemore Drops 'Hind's Hall 2' Protest Track, Leads 'F–k America' Chant at Seattle Show". Billboard. Retrieved September 24, 2024.
  22. ^ Cummings-Grady, Mackenzie (September 23, 2024). "Macklemore Tells Crowd 'F**k America' During Performance Supporting Palestinian Refugees". XXL Mag. Retrieved September 24, 2024.
  23. ^ "The ARIA Report: Week Commencing 20 May 2024". The ARIA Report. No. 1785. Australian Recording Industry Association. May 20, 2024. p. 4.
  24. ^ "ARIA Top 40 Hip Hop/R&B Singles Chart". Australian Recording Industry Association. May 20, 2024. Retrieved May 17, 2024.
  25. ^ "Macklemore Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved May 21, 2024.
  26. ^ "Top Singles (Week 20, 2024)" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. Retrieved May 20, 2024.
  27. ^ "Macklemore Chart History (Global 200)". Billboard. Retrieved May 21, 2024.
  28. ^ "Official IFPI Charts – Digital Singles Chart (International) (Week: 20/2024)". IFPI Greece. Archived from the original on May 22, 2024. Retrieved May 23, 2024.
  29. ^ "Official Irish Singles Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved May 17, 2024.
  30. ^ "Dutch Single Tip 18/05/2024" (in Dutch). MegaCharts. Retrieved May 18, 2024.
  31. ^ "NZ Top 40 Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. May 20, 2024. Retrieved May 17, 2024.
  32. ^ "Macklemore – Hind's Hall". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved May 19, 2024.
  33. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved May 17, 2024.
  34. ^ "Official Hip Hop and R&B Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved May 17, 2024.
  35. ^ "Official Independent Singles Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved May 18, 2024.
  36. ^ "Macklemore Chart History (Digital Song Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved May 21, 2024.
  37. ^ "Macklemore Chart History (R&B/Hip-Hop Digital Song Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved May 21, 2024.
  38. ^ "HIND'S HALL – Single – Album by Macklemore". Apple Music. Archived from the original on May 10, 2024. Retrieved May 10, 2024.
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