Stormzy was accused of deleting his Instagram post because of the McDonald’s collaboration, but he has denied this [GETTY]
British rapper Stormzy has spoken out after being the target of backlash after he collaborated with McDonalds, which has been accused by pro-Palestinian campaigners of supporting Israel, and after a post proclaiming support for Palestine disappeared from his Instagram.
The rapper said he wanted to address “some twisted narrative” that had been circulating online, saying he did not delete the post and asserted his pro-Palestine stance.
“Firstly, I didn’t archive the post where I came out in support of Palestine for any reason outside of me archiving loads of IG posts last year,” Stormzy wrote in a statement shared on his Instagram story.
“In that post, I spoke about #FreePalestine, oppression and injustice and my stance on this has not changed.”
He added that the brands he works with cannot tell him what to do or not do, or he would not work with them.
In regard to his collaboration, Stormzy said: “I do my own research on all brands I work with, gather my own information, form my own opinion and come to my own conclusion before doing business.”
“I understand it must feel disappointing and disheartening when it seems like someone you’ve championed has compromised their beliefs for commercial gain but this isn’t the case here.”
The rapper, known for his political raps including freestyling about Grenfell, first came under fire after announcing ‘The Stormzy Meal’ in collaboration with the fast-food chain in January.
Fans and online users shared their anger online, accusing the rapper of choosing money over morals.
Around the time, users noticed an Instagram post standing in support of Palestine had disappeared, accusing the rapper of deleting it.
Sources close to Stormzy told Sky News that he did not delete it but it was part of a “mass archiving effort” last year and was not linked to his collaboration with McDonalds.
The post included: “I hope everyone is good, some fleeting thoughts. ]1. Free Palestine. 2. In the future, if there is ever a clear injustice in the world no matter how big or small, 100 times out of 100 I will always be on the side of the oppressed. Unequivocally. As I always have been.’”
Many are still unconvinced by his statement.
“stormzy saying he did his own research & yet he still came to the conclusion to support a brand who is against his beliefs & his support of Palestine. Is he OK?,” one user wrote on X.
“@stormzy we are not stupid. We only want answers to two questions: Why are you archiving free Palestine posts during an active GENOCIDE? Why are you parenting with a company that is currently under a GLOBAL BOYCOTT who are still profiting from Israel’s economy?,” said another.
“The arrogance of man is Wild. @stormzy basically said my ‘research’ is far more more thorough than Palestinians in Gaza/Jenin circulating images of Israeli soldiers eating free McDonalds posing outside their homes on military tanks to shoot up kids,” wrote another.
The rapper was also reportedly booed at Leon Thomas’ London show amid the backlash while also chanting “Free Palestine”.
He has also previously expressed support for Palestine, performing at a concert for Palestine and Sudan in January 2024.
McDonald’s faced backlash in 2023 after its Israeli franchisee, Alonyal, gave out thousands of free meals to the Israeli army during its war on Gaza, causing a global boycott campaign against the brand. It later bought all its restaurants in Israel from the franchisee.
