Stormzy addresses McDonald’s collaboration backlash and deleted pro-Palestine post
The artist addressed the 'twisted narrative.'
Stormzy has responded to the recent backlash he has faced after he teamed up with McDonald’s to create ‘The Stormzy Meal.’
The Vossi Bop singer, 30, (real name Michael Ebenezer Kwadjo Omari Owuo Jr.) announced his menu collaboration with McDonald’s last week.
The rapper immediately found himself under fire from fans for collaborating with a company that has appeared to support Israel.
This is in conflict with the artist’s own alleged beliefs as he has previously shared pro-Palestinian messages on his social media page.
He penned in 2024: ‘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.’
However, fan concerns deepened as Stormzy deleted this post in support of Palestine.
Stickers soon began appearing in South London McDonald’s accusing the star of ‘selling-out’.
Stuck onto drive-thru windows was a sticker reading: ‘We regret to inform you that Stormzy has sold out. Apologies for any disappointment.’
The singer has now responded to the backlash in a lengthy post on his Instagram story in which he explained that his ‘stance has not changed’.
‘Hey guys, I wanted to address some twisted narrative that has been circulating online this past narrative.
‘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. In that post I spoke about #FreePalestine, oppression and injustice and my stance on this has not changed.’
The singer has spoken out to his fans (Picture: EPA)He then went on to say that he doesn’t collaborate with brands that would ask him to change his views.
‘The brands I work with 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.
He then clarified that he felt he had to speak out about this because there were people who were confused by this move and he wanted to make sure his fans had the full context.
Stormzy shared this post on social media (Picture: Instagram/ @Stormzy)‘I’m writing this because I know there are people out there who have supported me and rooted for me who are genuinely confused and hurt by what they think has happened and I want to give those people clarity so I hope this helps.
‘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.
‘Social media and the internet quickly pass judgment without full context. While I want to continue to be open and honest, I prefer not to respond immediately to every misunderstanding or clear up every false narrative that surrounds my name.’
Hours after sharing the post with fans, the singer made a rare surprise appearance on stage at Leon Thomas’ show at Koko.
