Macklemore has been removed from the U.S. segment of Ed Sheeran’s tour due to pressure from various American venues, threatening to cancel shows if the outspoken American rapper, known for his advocacy for Palestinian rights, remained on the lineup.
Benjamin Hammond Haggerty, also known as Macklemore, performed alongside Sheeran for the initial two U.S. concerts on the Loop Tour at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on September 4 and 5. Despite being set to open for the remaining eight U.S. shows, Macklemore was subsequently ousted from the tour.
During his performances at MetLife, Macklemore’s statements, including vocalizing “Free Palestine” and expressing support for Palestinians in Gaza and the Israeli-occupied West Bank, faced backlash from pro-Israel organizations. He also donned a keffiyeh, a traditional Palestinian black-and-white scarf, and sang his song “Hind’s Hall,” released in 2024 to back student demonstrators on campuses and criticize Israel’s military actions in Gaza post the Hamas-led attacks on Israel in October 7, 2023.
The Israeli American Council (IAC) initiated a petition urging Sheeran to remove Macklemore from the tour, welcoming the eventual decision to do so. The Messina Touring Group, managing the U.S. leg of the tour, stated that after discussions with stakeholders and venue restrictions, Macklemore’s removal was necessary to prevent show cancellations affecting numerous fans.
Macklemore, in a lengthy Instagram post on Monday, attributed his tour expulsion to Robert Kraft, the owner of the New England Patriots and Gillette Stadium in Massachusetts. He claimed that Kraft influenced other stadium owners to threaten concert cancellations unless he was dropped from the bill, placing Sheeran in a challenging position.
Reacting to Macklemore’s accusations, Kraft emphasized Gillette Stadium’s stance against hate speech and claimed the rapper’s actions, including previous displays of antisemitism, crossed a line. He expressed a willingness to engage in dialogue with Macklemore for a shared goal of peace and ending hate.
Macklemore clarified that his criticisms were aimed at the Israeli government and not Jewish individuals, advocating for peace and equality for all human beings. Despite support from some quarters, Macklemore’s actions drew mixed reactions, with criticism from singer Pink and others for his pro-Palestine stance.
The ongoing debate, fueled by Macklemore’s removal from the tour, reflects the broader discourse surrounding Israel’s actions in Gaza, with humanitarian groups like Amnesty International and the United Nations commission characterizing these actions as constituting genocide.