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US rapper Macklemore — who has become embroiled in Australia's same-sex marriage debate over his decision to perform his hit Same Love at the NRL grand final — has pledged to donate the Australian earnings of the hit single to the Yes campaign.
The track, which was written with Ryan Lewis and Mary Lambert, hit number one on iTunes in Australia this week after former prime minister Tony Abbott argued "footy fans shouldn't be subjected to a politicised grand final".
Speaking to Channel Nine ahead of today's match, Macklemore said he would help fund the Yes campaign.
"I haven't figured it out yet, but I was saying … that I want to donate my portion of the proceeds from Same Love that I get off that record here in Australia to voting yes," he said.
"So I need to figure out what that looks like and how to do that. But it is something I am going to do."
Alex Greenwich, co-chair of Australian Marriage Equality, took to Twitter to thank the rapper.
"Thank you Macklemore — your song and support continues to inspire and energise us," he said.
Macklemore told Channel Nine music could influence social change.
"I think that that is what music has the power to do — it's not to divide people, but create an environment where people can start a debate, can have a conversation and bring a message to the forefront," he said.
When the song, written during the US same-sex marriage debate, hit number one on iTunes in Australia on Thursday night, the singer said it was a sign "love is winning".
The single has remained in the top spot for more than 72 hours.
Soon after its release in 2013, Same Love hit the top 40 in the United States, becoming one of the first pro-same-sex-marriage songs to make it into the charts.
It was also embraced by advocates for same-sex marriage around the world, particularly in the US where same-sex marriage was being considered by several states and the Supreme Court.
Topics: arts-and-entertainment, music, gays-and-lesbians, community-and-society, government-and-politics
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