Nova Scotia Energy Minister Marco MacLeod is apologizing for using what he described as “hurtful language” towards women in rap music and lyrics he posted to music streaming sites more than decade ago under the name “Meadowville.” The 37-year-old Pictou West MLA said he posted the music in 2013 when he was writing rap music, which is something he said he isn’t pursuing anymore. He said he removed the content after Frank magazine first reported about it last week. “It was a song about Charlie Sheen and it had really hurt hurtful words in it towards women,” said MacLeod. “And I didn’t have those values then and now. But guess what? I still used those words, and they’re still hurtful. That’s my mistake.” While the music was scrubbed from music streaming sites, song clips and music were gathered and shared in the Frank Magazine article, which include references to cocaine use, derogatory and misogynistic language, and portraying women as sexualized objects. Adsum for Women & Children, an emergency shelter organization, issued a statement on social media, saying they were “sickened” by MacLeod’s lyrics and recordings, calling them sexually violent and misogynistic, and suggesting he shouldn’t be allowed to continue as a public official. “Regardless of age, holding these beliefs and disseminating this type of content should disqualify an individual from public office,” said the statement from Adsum. “And to be clear, MacLeod was not a child when these songs were recorded.” MacLeod was elected as MLA for Pictou West in 2024 and was named energy minister in May, replacing Premier Tim Houston, who was acting as energy minister at that time. MacLeod said he didn’t disclose the obscene music to the Progressive Conservatives when he first put his name forward as part of the nomination process, but in hindsight said it’s something he should have discussed. “I should have thought broader and included everything,” said MacLeod. “But I didn’t and it was my mistake.” MacLeod said he doesn’t plan to resign over the music and wants to stay on and do the work as MLA and energy minister, but said the decision is ultimately out of his hands. “I serve at the premier’s pleasure and we’ll see what happens,” said MacLeod. MacLeod spoke with Houston already and said they’ll speak again in the coming days. But in the meantime he’s also reaching out to others to apologize. “I reached out to some colleagues this weekend,” said MacLeod. “Members of my community, women in my community. Just to let them know what happened and, you know, embarrassing conversations and open conversations. I’m going to continue that going (forward) right now.” Opposition Leader Claudia Chender posted a statement on the Nova Scotia NDP website saying an apology is not enough and there needs to be consequences. “Women have to be able to trust that their elected representatives are doing everything they can to address the marginalization and violence they continue to face,” said Chender. “Hatred targeted at women, in a province with an epidemic of intimidate partner violence coming from a sitting Minister is not a small matter.” For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page
