Mariners Skip Macklemore’s Song During Seventh-Inning Stretch Following Controversial Comments

In their first home game since Macklemore's recent controversial comments, the Seattle Mariners made a notable change during the seventh-inning stretch, opting not to play the rapper’s hit song "Can't Hold Us," which has been a tradition for over two years.

The decision came after Macklemore faced backlash for shouting "F— America" at a Seattle event, the "Palestine Will Live Forever" festival at Seward Park, which was aimed at raising awareness and funds for Palestinian causes. The comments sparked widespread controversy, prompting local sports teams, including the Mariners, Kraken, and Sounders, to publicly condemn the remarks.

For Mariners fans, the shift may have been a welcome one. Before "Can't Hold Us" became a seventh-inning staple, the team traditionally played The Kingsmen's "Louie Louie," a fan-favorite for years. Many long-time supporters had expressed their preference for the classic song, criticizing the switch to Macklemore’s track when it was first introduced.

Friday night’s game against the Oakland A’s marked a break from the Macklemore tradition, with FOX 13 reporting that the Mariners opted to skip his song after the usual rendition of "Take Me Out to the Ballgame."

It remains unclear if this change will be permanent, but fans in attendance seemed to appreciate the return to the previous seventh-inning atmosphere, which many had missed since "Louie Louie" was replaced.

The Mariners have not yet issued a formal statement on whether Macklemore's song will be reinstated or if the team plans to continue the tradition without it moving forward. The Kraken and Sounders, who also expressed disapproval of the rapper’s remarks, have similarly distanced themselves from his music in recent events.

For now, the decision seems to signal a shift in response to the growing criticism surrounding Macklemore’s comments and the fanbase’s nostalgia for a classic stadium anthem.

(Source: FOX 13 Seattle)

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