Fairfax Media U.S. rapper Macklemore is the headline act to play before the NRL grand final.

U.S. rapper Macklemore has said he is "honoured" to be performing at Australia's National Rugby League Grand Final event, but his choice of song has critics calling for his removal. Former PM Tony Abbott has now added his voice to the chorus against the choice of song, supporting LGBTQ rights, planned for pre-match entertainment. Macklemore -- aka Benjamin Haggerty -- has said he couldn't be "more honoured and excited" to perform his hit 'Same Love' at the Grand Final. But he's also said he's received some hate mail from 'angry old white dudes' about the decision to have him as the headline act. Tony Abbott has backed moves to stop Macklemore from performing the Same Love song, posting his views on Twitter.

Footy fans shouldn't be subjected to a politicised grand final. Sport is sport! https://t.co/1uRh4eZ61Z — Tony Abbott (@TonyAbbottMHR) September 27, 2017

Fairfax Media Tony Abbott at the 2014 NRL Grand Final

Former player Tony Wall is petitioning the NRL management, asking that it stops the performance from going ahead and in the petition he has asked that they "take a neutral position on the question of same-sex marriage". 'Same Love' features lyrics about LGBTQ rights and was recorded in 2012, during the campaign to legalise same-sex marriage in Washington. The song was a number one hit when it was released in 2013 and criticises homophobic lyrics in rap music. It features the lyrics, 'No freedom 'til we're equal, damn right I support it'.

The NRL's chief commercial officer Andrew Abdo told Fairfax Media, getting Macklemore to fly to Australia for the grand final was 'a real coup'. "He is one of the world's leading artists at the moment and popular with Australians and most importantly our fans," Abdo said. Macklemore has spoken to American radio show The Cruz Show about his upcoming performance. "It's interesting because I'm playing Same Love..so I'm getting a lot of tweets from white dudes in Australia and there's a petition today to ban me from playing so it's interesting times in Australia," Macklemore told the Cruz show.

.@macklemore talks about his upcoming performance at Australia's @NRL and the controversy about him performing "Same Love" #TheCruzShowpic.twitter.com/CaAQ6iEh6i — The Cruz Show (@TheCruzShow) September 27, 2017

Fairfax Media Macklemore is facing anger on both fronts.

Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young has tweeted her support for the rap star, calling out 'pathetic small-minded politicians.'