Rapper Macklemore has been removed from Ed Sheeran’s US stadium tour following his public support for Palestine during two performances in early September. Macklemore, known for his 2012 hit "Thrift Shop," spoke onstage at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, urging audiences to "Free Palestine" and performed "Hinds’ Hall," a protest song addressing the ongoing conflict in Gaza after the Hamas-led attack on Israel in October 2023. The song refers to the situation in Gaza as a "genocide" and was accompanied by a music video depicting scenes from Gaza and protests in the United States.
The rapper’s statements drew immediate criticism from organizations including the Anti-Defamation League and Stop Antisemitism. The Israel-American Council launched a petition urging Sheeran and venue operators to remove Macklemore, accusing him of using "selective imagery, biased messaging and disputed claims" and cautioning against turning the tour into a platform for political statements.
Macklemore and the Messina Touring Group, the promoter of Sheeran’s tour, confirmed his departure from the tour. Macklemore stated that Robert Kraft, owner of the New England Patriots and Gillette Stadium, played a key role in the decision. According to Macklemore, Sheeran informed him that Kraft had declared he would not allow Macklemore to perform at Gillette Stadium, and that Kraft had gathered other stadium owners who issued an ultimatum: keep Macklemore off the tour or lose access to their venues.
Kraft acknowledged making the decision, citing Macklemore's history of what he described as antisemitic rhetoric and imagery as offensive and harmful to the Jewish community. Kraft emphasized that while he agreed with calls to end suffering in the region, he viewed Macklemore’s approach as promoting divisiveness by focusing selectively on Israel’s actions and ignoring Hamas’s role. Sheeran stated that removing Macklemore was a promoter’s decision, not his own, and that the issue stemmed from how Macklemore conveyed his message onstage rather than its content in full.
Following Macklemore’s removal, several of Sheeran’s supporting acts announced they were withdrawing from the US leg of the Loop tour in solidarity. Irish folk band Beoga, along with Finneas, Lukas Graham, and Aaron Rowe, publicly stated their reasons for quitting. Beoga accused “Zionist lobbies” of silencing Macklemore. Finneas highlighted the importance of allowing artists to speak up for oppressed groups, while Rowe drew parallels with Irish historical experiences of genocide and occupation, condemning the suppression of voices critical of Israel’s actions.
The controversy has intensified debates around political expression in the music industry, particularly regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Macklemore also faced renewed scrutiny over an earlier incident in 2014 when he wore a costume critics said resembled a Jewish caricature. He apologized at the time, emphasizing respect for all cultures and denying any intent to offend.
Sheeran’s tour is scheduled to continue with upcoming dates in Philadelphia and Tampa, Florida. Macklemore acknowledged onstage that his criticism of Israel should not be interpreted as criticism of Jewish individuals, expressing a message advocating peace, dignity, and equality for all.