# Peter Rosenberg on Jewish identity in hip-hop's reckoning > The Hot 97 host discusses antisemitism, Macklemore, Kanye, and why nuance is disappearing from the Israel-Palestine debate. - Title: Peter Rosenberg on Jewish identity in hip-hop's reckoning - Summary: The Hot 97 host discusses antisemitism, Macklemore, Kanye, and why nuance is disappearing from the Israel-Palestine debate. You can condemn real antisemitism… - Keywords: peter rosenberg, hot 97, jewish identity, hip-hop, antisemitism, macklemore, ed sheeran, israel-palestine, kanye west, robert kraft, gaza, music industry - Source: Rolling Stone — https://rollingstone.com/music/music-features/peter-rosenberg-israel-macklemore-interview-1235628597 - Author: Shirley Halperin - Published: 2026-09-17T22:08:11+00:00 - Read time: 4 min - Topics: peter rosenberg, hot 97, jewish identity, hip-hop, antisemitism, macklemore, ed sheeran, israel-palestine, kanye west, robert kraft, gaza, music industry ## Two Rosenbergs reign in hip-hop Paul Rosenberg manages Eminem. Peter Rosenberg, former Hot 97 host, now cohosts the Ebro Laura Rosenberg Show. Both represent Jewish success in a difficult industry. ## Macklemore's stage moment upended a tour Ed Sheeran's opening act used his platform to rally for 'free Palestine,' catching the pop star in Middle Eastern politics. After two New Jersey dates, the tour's North American leg became uncertain. ## Kraft called it hate speech New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, who controls Gillette Stadium, stated Macklemore's onstage comments were hate speech. Macklemore held firm that Gaza deaths matter. His band and other tour openers dropped out in solidarity. ## Rosenberg contrasts Macklemore and Ye Rosenberg wrote on X that he was disappointed in people defending Kanye West, who sang 'Heil Hitler' a year ago, while attacking Macklemore for political speech about Gaza. > A lot of people I love are being openly lame about Kanye. I am not saying no one deserves forgiveness or empathy but this man sang Heil Hitler ONE YEAR AGO. ## Rosenberg grew up Jewish and progressive From Chevy Chase, Maryland, a Jewish suburb of Washington D.C., Rosenberg's mother was born in a displaced persons camp after World War II. His family kept kosher and observed Shabbat. ## He was bar-mitzvah'd in a Mario Lemieux jersey At his bar mitzvah at a Holiday Inn, Rosenberg wore a Pittsburgh Penguins Mario Lemieux jersey over his suit. His brother rapped about being proud of him. ## His radio name was once PMD In college and early commercial radio in D.C., Rosenberg went by PMD, for Peter from Maryland. When he joined Hot 97 in 2007, Ebro told him to use his real name instead. ## Being Jewish in hip-hop felt unique Rosenberg never faced resistance for his Jewish name in hip-hop. He felt cool as the fish out of water and believed his passion and knowledge earned respect from the community. ## Hot 97's first billboards were explicit The marketing for Rosenberg's first Hot 97 billboards featured a Black host, a Puerto Rican host, and under Rosenberg's face, just the word 'Jew.' It was meant to celebrate the show's multi-ethnic makeup. ## Casual antisemitism was always there Rosenberg heard things like 'I don't fuck with Jews, but I fuck with you' and stereotypes about Jewish wealth. It didn't hit differently until Kanye's antisemitic campaign. ## Kanye's hate tour changed everything After Kanye's public antisemitic statements and Hitler admiration, Rosenberg noticed a spike in hateful responses on social media. The attacks became visceral and coordinated. > I could viscerally feel the difference from that moment on in terms of my social media and how the responses of 'Yeah, well, you're a Jew' or 'Yeah, but go put on your little hat' or 'Kanye's right.' ## October 7 ratcheted up the hate The antisemitism spiked immediately after October 7. Rosenberg got into fights with people like Mia Khalifa over calling Hamas 'freedom fighters' without acknowledging the massacre. ## The internet won't allow nuance Rosenberg says people can't hold two truths at once: that Israel has done terrible things and that massacring Jews at a music festival is evil. The internet won't permit that balance. > The internet won't allow for it. ## Sheeran made the worst decision Rosenberg called Ed Sheeran's response 'horrifying.' The singer should have stood by his artists instead of caving to pressure. Israel has lost the public, and Sheeran misread the moment. ## Kraft should have talked to Macklemore Instead of banning Macklemore, Kraft could have sat down with him to discuss their differences in earnest. The heavy-handed approach corroborates Kanye's claims about Jewish power in entertainment. ## Macklemore didn't use hateful language Rosenberg says 'free Palestine' is not hate speech. Macklemore made a painstaking effort to avoid malice. Some people just believe the phrase itself is an attack on Jewish people. > It was language that they didn't like. It wasn't hateful language. ## Hold two truths at the same time Real antisemitism exists, like Kanye's Hitler worship. Simultaneously, Israeli government actions are evil. Both are standing up against hatred. Jews must separate themselves from the idea that criticism of Israel is antisemitic. > We should be capable of holding two things at the same time. ## His father was a Zionist who changed Rosenberg's father worked for AIPAC and wrote for the Village Voice. He realized the organization didn't want peace. After Yitzhak Rabin's assassination in 1995, he abandoned his Zionist beliefs. ## Zionism has been bastardized The word 'Zionist' used to just mean Jews hated you. Now people understand what it fundamentally means, and the movement's foundation is problematic. Context matters in this specific situation. ## Power dynamics shape the debate When one side holds state power and military force, calls for justice for the powerless shouldn't be equated with calls for justice for the powerful. Jews have historically been the displaced, but not in this situation. ## Key takeaway You can condemn real antisemitism and Israeli government actions simultaneously, but the internet won't let you hold both truths at once.