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Macklemore costume leads to apology

A costumed Macklemore reaches out to give a fan a high-five during an appearance Friday at the EMP Museum in Seattle. (Associated Press)
From Wire Reports

Rapper Macklemore posted an apology on his website late Monday, saying he didn’t mean to mock Jewish people by wearing a costume that some say was anti-Semitic during a performance in Seattle last week.

Macklemore wrote that he randomly chose the pieces of the costume he wore at Friday’s performance so that he could disguise himself and move freely around during the secret show. He said it wasn’t meant to be a caricature of a Jewish man.

“I respect all cultures and all people,” he wrote. “I would never intentionally put down anybody for the fabric that makes them who they are. I love human beings, love originality, and … happen to love a weird outfit from time to time.”

Grammy Award winners Macklemore & Ryan Lewis made the appearance at the EMP Museum in their hometown to help celebrate the debut of a new exhibition.

Photos from the concert show Macklemore wearing a black wig and beard and a fake hooked nose. Macklemore and Lewis gained widespread fame with a message supporting diversity, and their hit song “One Love” calls for tolerance and support for members of the gay community.

Sick McCartney calls off shows

Paul McCartney is canceling his entire Japan tour because of illness. The former Beatle got a virus last week and canceled several appearances, apologizing online to his fans.

Now, his organizers say he is not well enough to do any of the concerts in Japan, including the one set for Wednesday at Nippon Budokan hall, where the Beatles performed during their first Japan tour in 1966.

The official site of McCartney’s “Out There Japan Tour 2014” said his doctors are ordering him “complete rest.”

McCartney, 71, is still scheduled for a concert in Seoul on May 28 at Jamsil Sports Complex Main Stadium, followed by 19 U.S. performances.

The birthday bunch

Actor Anthony Zerbe is 78. Singer Joe Cocker is 70. Singer-actress Cher is 68. Actor-comedian Dave Thomas is 65. TV-radio personality Ron Reagan is 56. Rock musician Jane Wiedlin (The Go-Go’s) is 56. Actor Bronson Pinchot is 55. Actor Tony Goldwyn is 54. Rapper Busta Rhymes is 42.