Macklemore Dropped From Ed Sheeran Tour Over "Free Palestine" Remarks

American rapper Macklemore has been removed from the remaining dates of Ed Sheeran's U.S. tour following his pro-Palestinian statements during concerts at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. Rolling Stone reported the decision exclusively, citing the tour organizer. Macklemore performed as an opening act for Sheeran on September 4 and 5. During his first performance, he appeared wearing a keffiyeh and declared his intention to use the concert platform to call for a "Free Palestine." He then performed his song "Hind's Hall," which addresses pro-Palestinian protests, with visuals of destruction in Gaza displayed on screens.

The following day, Macklemore reiterated his political stance, addressing Jewish audience members and emphasizing that his criticism was not directed at Jewish people but rather for "peace, for all people to live with dignity, respect, and equality."

Following Macklemore's performance, the Israeli-American Council launched a petition on September 7 demanding his removal from the tour, arguing that Sheeran's concerts should not become political platforms. The tour organizer, Messina Touring Group, informed Rolling Stone that several venues stated they would not permit the rapper to perform. According to the organizer, this stance could have led to concert cancellations affecting hundreds of thousands of attendees, prompting Macklemore's exclusion from subsequent shows.

Singer Pink became involved in the controversy. On September 6, she reposted a message from a pro-Israel organization criticizing Macklemore's performance and demanding an apology. Pink later clarified on Instagram that she had merely shared someone else's post and did not advocate for the artist's removal, stating, "I have never asked for another artist to be silenced and I am not asking for it now. I don't need anyone to be fired." She explained her reaction stemmed not from the "Free Palestine" message itself, but from how Macklemore used the stage before a large audience. Pink also referenced a 2014 incident where Macklemore appeared in a caricature perceived as an antisemitic stereotype, for which he later apologized.

Macklemore, in turn, stated he does not consider himself a victim, nor Sheeran or Pink. He claimed the decision to remove him followed a conversation between Sheeran and Robert Kraft, owner of the Kraft Group, which owns Gillette Stadium. Macklemore alleges Kraft told Sheeran that the rapper could not perform at Gillette Stadium, and subsequently, Kraft allegedly persuaded owners of other venues to condition Sheeran's concerts on Macklemore's removal from the tour.