Macklemore has been dropped as an opener at Ed Sheeran’s The Loop Tour on September 14 following public backlash over his support for the Palestinian people and his call to “Free Palestine.” The comments were made publicly during his concert performances at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey last September 4 and 5.
According to Rolling Stone, the rapper was reportedly barred from performing at subsequent tour stops on Sheeran’s North American tour. In a statement posted by Macklemore on his Instagram, he claimed that the owner of the New England Patriots and Gillette Stadium, Robert Kraft, campaigned against Macklemore’s comments.
“Ed told me that Kraft said I would not be allowed to perform in his stadium,” Macklemore said. “Ed also told me that Kraft had rallied some of the other stadium owners and collectively they gave him an ultimatum: if Macklemore stays on the tour, you will not be allowed to play in our venues.”
Kraft eventually addressed blocking Macklemore from performing at Gillette Stadium, confirming his involvement.
“Gillette Stadium has a longstanding commitment to providing a welcoming environment for all guests and ensuring events held at our venue do not provide a platform for hate speech,” Kraft says. “Based on Macklemore’s recent actions, material shared from the stage during Ed Sheeran’s shows in New Jersey, and a broader history of antisemitic rhetoric and imagery that we believe in has been deeply offensive and hurtful to the Jewish community.”
Support for Macklemore
Artists and political figures have gathered in response to Macklemore’s statement to stand in solidarity with the rapper.
Swedish environmental activist Greta Thunberg commented on Macklemore’s Instagram post, “Artists’ very active silence in the face of injustice and genocide will not be forgotten.”
American educator Ms. Rachel criticized Sheeran’s silence over the announcement. She stated that Sheeran “had an opportunity to show that we won’t be bullied into punishing people for supporting Palestine.” Ms. Rachel then concluded that Sheeran had caved to people who refused to accept that a genocide is happening.
Alternative rock band Garbage posted on Instagram about Macklemore’s removal from the tour, mentioning his removal was “sheer madness.”
“Macklemore’s words were not antisemitic yet he is being punished for simply pleading for the occupation, the oppression and the violence to stop,” the band said. “Whatever happened to free speech?”
On the contrary, last September 11, pop artist P!nk shared a statement online after posting a reel expressing concern over Macklemore’s statements. She clarified that she didn’t object to his political stance, but explained what she needs to be able to say: “As a Jewish mom, that scared me, and it scared people I love, without being told our fear is just propaganda, and without being told I’m somehow cool with genocide because I noticed.”
Moreover, the Israeli American Council called for a petition demanding Sheeran remove Macklemore as an opener.
Frequently Asked Questions
Macklemore is an American rapper who wrote the hits “Thrift Shop,” “Can’t Hold Us,” “These Days,” and many more.
Macklemore was dropped as an opener for Ed Sheeran’s The Loop Tour on September 14 following public backlash over his support for Palestinians and his call to “Free Palestine.”
Robert Kraft, owner of the New England Patriots and Gillette Stadium, campaigned against Macklemore’s comments and the owner of the New England Patriots and Gillette Stadium, Robert Kraft’s involvement.
Swedish environmental activist Greta Thunberg, American educator Ms. Rachel, and alternative rock band Garbage have all spoken out in solidarity with Macklemore.
The Israeli American Council called for a petition demanding that Ed Sheeran remove Macklemore as an opener on the tour.
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