Macklemore has been removed from Ed Sheeran’s U.S. tour following objections from various venues threatening to cancel shows if the American rapper, known for his support for Palestinians, remained on the lineup. Benjamin Hammond Haggerty, or Macklemore, had performed at the first two U.S. shows with Sheeran at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. Despite being set to open for the remaining eight shows, Macklemore was ultimately dropped from the tour.
During his performances at MetLife, Macklemore’s vocal support for Palestinians, including chanting “Free Palestine” and expressing solidarity with Gaza and the West Bank, sparked controversy among pro-Israel groups. His choice to wear a keffiyeh, a symbol associated with Palestinians, and perform his song “Hind’s Hall,” released in 2024 to advocate against Israeli military actions in Gaza, further fueled the debate.
The Israeli American Council initiated a petition urging Sheeran to remove Macklemore from the tour. The decision to drop Macklemore was made by the Messina Touring Group, the tour’s U.S. promoter, after discussions with stakeholders. The group stated that venues refused to host concerts with Macklemore, leading to the potential cancellation of the tour and impacting numerous fans.
In response, Macklemore accused Robert Kraft, owner of the New England Patriots, of orchestrating efforts to remove him from the tour. He highlighted the dilemma faced by Sheeran, who was pressured by stadium owners to exclude Macklemore from the lineup. Macklemore emphasized the importance of his message supporting Palestine and clarified that his criticism was aimed at the Israeli government, not the Jewish people.
Macklemore’s comments on stage, where he advocated for a free Palestine and emphasized peace and equality for all, received both support and criticism. Singer Pink reshared a post calling for Macklemore’s removal from the tour but later clarified her stance. She referenced a previous controversial incident involving Macklemore and expressed her concerns regarding his actions.
The fallout from Macklemore’s removal from the tour led to a mix of reactions, with some praising his advocacy while others criticized his approach. The incident also highlighted ongoing debates surrounding freedom of expression, activism, and the complexities of addressing political issues in the entertainment industry.