Macklemore Addresses Removal from Ed Sheeran’s Tour Over Remarks

Rapper Macklemore has responded after being removed from the remaining U.S. dates of Ed Sheeran’s Loop Tour. His removal followed backlash over pro-Palestinian comments he made on stage. In a detailed Instagram statement, Macklemore named New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft as the key figure behind his exclusion. Kraft allegedly pressured other stadium owners to deny Macklemore performing venues, rather than solely attributing the decision to Sheeran or Pink, who had separately criticized Macklemore’s remarks.

Macklemore, whose real name is Ben Haggerty, posted, “I’m not sure how to start this. So I’m going to speak from the heart and share the truth. Ed Sheeran and his team have decided to remove me from The Loop tour.” He indicated Sheeran shared that Kraft informed him of a ban from performing at Gillette Stadium, owned by Kraft’s company. As per Macklemore, Kraft sought other stadium owners’ support, resulting in an ultimatum against keeping him on the tour’s lineup.

“Ed told me that Kraft said I would not be allowed to perform in his stadium. 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,” Macklemore wrote.

Macklemore revealed private talks with Sheeran, referring to him as a 13-year friend. Macklemore stated that Sheeran cited feedback that the messages “Free Palestine” and the Palestinian flag offended certain people he spoke with. Despite maintaining a neutral public stance, Macklemore challenged this, holding that neither he, Sheeran, nor Pink are victims in the disagreement while hoping their friendship persists. “I hope this isn’t the end of my relationship with Ed. Thirteen years of friendship doesn’t disappear because of one painful disagreement,” he added.

In his statement, Macklemore emphasized the importance of acknowledging the oppression faced by Palestinians. “The victims are the Palestinian people,” he insisted, referencing the men, women, and children impacted by the conflict. He highlighted the contrast between career and reputation loss against human suffering in Palestine, stressing the need to discuss these situations.

Moreover, Macklemore discussed how the accusation of antisemitism is often leveraged as a tool. While acknowledging that antisemitism is serious, he argued that conflating criticism of the Israeli state with hatred of Jewish people doesn’t protect Jewish individuals but rather shields Israel from accountability.

Finally, he reflected on the consequences of his statements. “If those words cost me the stage, while turning the conversation back to Palestine, then it was the most successful tour I’ve ever been on,” he noted, reaffirming his commitment to the cause and hoping for ongoing dialogue.