British rapper Stormzy denies compromising on pro-Palestine support in partnership with McDonald's

British rapper Stormzy has denied compromising on his pro-Palestine views by working in partnership with McDonalds and removing content from his social media page.

In a new campaign with the American fast food chain McDonald’s, British rapper and drill artist Stormzy is featured in adverts and billboards promoting the ‘Stormzy meal’, consisting of a selection of his favourite items from the menu.

Following his announcement and posting of the partnership on his Instagram, numerous followers and viewers expressed criticism of the move, highlighting the company’s ties to Israel – with the chain’s franchise in the country having given free meals to occupation forces invading the Gaza Strip – and the subsequent global boycott of the restaurant.

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In a statement on his Instagram story, Stormzy replied to the criticism by acknowledging he had supporters “who are genuinely confused and hurt by what they think has happened… I understand it must feel disappointing and disheartening when it seems like someone you’ve championed has compromised their beliefs for commercial gain.” The rapper insisted, however, that “this isn’t the case here”.

Since the start of the Israeli invasion and bombardment of Gaza in October 2023, Stormzy has been vocal in defence of the Palestinians and in his condemnation of the offensive, advocating in an Instagram post at the time to “Free Palestine… if there is ever a clear injustice in the world, no matter how big or small 100 times out of 100 I will be on the side of the oppressed.”

That post, though, is no longer visible on his Instagram profile, leading many to speculate that he removed it in relation to his partnership deal with McDonald’s. The rapper denied that in his recent statement, stressing that “I didn’t archive the post where I came out in support of Palestine for any reason outside of me archiving loads of posts last year.” He assured that “I spoke about #FreePalestine, oppression and injustice and my stance on this has not changed.”

Stormzy also insisted that companies he works with do not dictate his political or personal views, stating that they “can’t tell me what to do and don’t tell me what to do otherwise I wouldn’t work with them. 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.”

A painful boycott is still essential, despite the ceasefire in Gaza