October 7 Survivor Mia Shem Criticizes Rapper Drake Over New Gaza Song
October 7 survivor Mia Shem has criticized rapper Drake over a new song referencing Gaza, expressing deep disappointment after previously being a major fan of the Jewish-Canadian artist.
Mia Shem, a survivor of the October 7 Hamas attacks who was abducted to the Gaza Strip, has spoken out against rapper Drake after previously being a devoted fan, following a new song in which he references Gaza. In an extensive interview with the Daily Mail reflecting on her time in captivity, she expressed shock upon hearing the lyrics of Drake's new track, especially given her personal trauma.
A Bitter Disappointment
"I loved him very much," Shem shared. "He even gave me a sweater and a jacket from his brand." However, she added, "I was in shock over the song he released about Gaza." Shem was referring to a track teased in Drake's upcoming film FOMO, where he sings the line "We are praying for Gaza." While the lyric sparked debate regarding its potential double meaning—as "Gaza" also refers to a Jamaican dancehall movement associated with musician Vybz Kartel—Drake has previously expressed political stances on the conflict by signing a letter calling for a ceasefire.
For Shem, a former fan of the Jewish-Canadian rapper, the artistic choice felt deeply painful against the backdrop of her captivity and her observation that international artists have largely remained silent regarding the hostages and the October 7 massacre.
"I can only tell you what I know from my personal experience," Shem said. "I was kidnapped from my country and taken to Gaza. I know how I was treated there."
The Global Misunderstanding
Shem argued that Drake's statement reflects a broader issue regarding how the world perceives the events of October 7 and the experiences of Israelis and Jews since the attack. "I'll tell you what the problem is. People really don't know the reality," she noted, adding that Israel lacks enough voices to explain the truth of October 7 to the global audience.
Concluding her thoughts, she contrasted the values of her upbringing with what she witnessed during her time in Gaza: "What I experienced in Gaza was completely different. I saw people who glorify death. When a terrorist dies after carrying out an attack, his family can be proud of him."
