Macklemore urged to ‘go harder’ as angry fans threaten to boo grand final act

THE NRL is facing an NFL-style boilover as artists urge pro same-sex marriage rapper Macklemore to “go harder” when he headlines the NRL grand final on Sunday, despite the threats of fans to boo him.

• Rapper Macklemore to play same sex anthem at NRL Grand Final

THE NRL is facing an NFL-style boilover as artists urge pro same-sex marriage rapper Macklemore to “go harder” when he headlines the NRL grand final on Sunday, despite the threats of fans to boo him.

The multiple Grammy Award winner will play to an expected 85,000 footy fans at ANZ Stadium and belt out his controversial 2012 hit Same Love, which has become an anthem across the world for the same-sex marriage cause.

Macklemore will sing his 2012 hit Same Love in front of 85,000 NRL fans. Picture: Chris McPherson

It is shaping up to be a performance to divide a nation, with politicians and fans yesterday split over the politicisation of sport. Former Prime Minister Tony Abbott led the charge using social media to declare: “footy fans shouldn’t be subjected to a politicised grand final. Sport is sport!”

He was backed by Immigration Minister Peter Dutton, who said people didn’t want political messages “jammed down their throat” at the footy.

“When I take my kids to the footy I want them to be able to watch the footy,” he said. “I don’t want some political message jammed down their throat and I think frankly that’s how most Australians think.”

Macklemore yesterday being quizzed on US radio about the controversy among ‘angry white dudes’ his choice has caused in Australia. Picture: The Cruz Show / Twitter

Fans also took to news sites and talkback radio yesterday airing anger at the choice of headliner. “Hope he gets booed off the stage, c’mon Aussies, stick it to him,” one wrote. And another: “Boo loudly people! It’s time the silent majority got loud, very loud!”

Word of the controversy has spread to the US, where Macklemore yesterday told a radio show he was receiving hate from “angry, old white dudes”.

NRL CEO Todd Greenberg. Picture: Brett Costello

NRL boss Todd Greenberg defended the choice of headline performance, saying it was a decision about choosing the biggest act the code could secure — not about politics.

“We try to get the world’s best artist to come to Sydney this weekend and play his world-class hits and that’s exactly what he will do on Sunday night and I can’t tell you how excited (I am) and looking forward to it,” he said.

Others also stepped out in support of Macklemore, urging him to “go harder”.

Ricki-Lee Coulter thinks the backlash will only spur Macklemore on.

Tony Abbott’s daughter Frances Abbott thinks Macklemore is a great choice for the Grand Final.

Platinum-selling artist Ricki-Lee Coulter, who will sing the national anthem on the night, told The Daily Telegraph she hoped he used the backlash to fire him up.

“I’m proud he’s performing the song,” the advocate for same-sex marriage said. “This backlash will make him go harder and now who knows what he will do? Maybe he’ll have same-sex couples coming out of the crowd in wedding suits.”

Mr Abbott’s daughter Frances also urged on Macklemore: “I can’t think of a better song for all the hundreds of thousands of people to listen to on Saturday ... This is what we need right now.”